Locals to Farewell Drysdale’s Berwick Village Jewellery

The Berwick Jeweller holds a special place in the hearts of many customers who have returned time and again to enjoy the kind of intimate, personalised experience that has become a rarity in the jewellery industry. While Kay and staff members, Jen and Michelle take care of the customer service side of things with their warm yet professional manner, James works behind the scenes repairing, remodelling and creating bespoke jewellery pieces, making the Berwick store one of the few retailers around to have an in-house jeweller.

James grew up with a fondness for tinkering with small things, and eventually found his way into an apprenticeship in Melbourne. In those days, everything was handcrafted from raw materials, rolling, cutting and shaping with intricate hand tools. Kay still wears the gorgeous ring James crafted for her, which took some sixteen hours to make. These days, they explain, most commercial jewellery is made with machines and cast or 3D printed rather than fabricated. James continues to use traditional methods in conjunction with the new technologies which is part of what makes his pieces so special.

That the shop has thrived over the course of nearly four decades is testament to the quality of workmanship that has gone into every piece, and the level of care shown to each and every customer - many who have become like family to the Drysdales. In fact, it is the strong community bonds they have formed along the way that has kept them in business well past the age that they first began to think of retiring. They say the work has kept them young; now, though they are looking to having time to enjoy and explore their other interests.

So what’s next for James and Kay? James has already cleared space in the garage to start work on model railways - in between being available by appointment with clients, unable to hang up the tools for good just yet. Kay is keen to have time to explore our beautiful country. With work off the agenda, they’ll also have more time to spend with family and friends. While it will be bittersweet saying goodbye to the community that they have fostered over more than three dozen years, it’s certainly a retirement well-earned.

DRYSDALE’S BERWICK VILLAGE JEWELLERY WILL BE OPEN UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY, 2021.