The 5 Best Jewelers in Canberra That’ll Help You Add Some Much-Needed Sparkle in Your Life
Every time Mother’s Day rolls around, I see people scrambling to get something special for the women in their lives. Jewellery is always one of the most sought-after gifts during this time, but it’s also one of the trickiest to get.
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to what jewelry they wear. So getting something wrong might just end up being a big waste, especially with how much good jewelry costs.
To prevent any mishaps, I’ve found that it’s easier to go directly to a jeweler and enlist their help. As the experts, they can help you find the right piece based on what you’re looking for.
So if you’re also in need of some advice, these are the Canberra jewelers that many locals, including myself, trust when making special purchases.
How much do jewelry services cost in Canberra?
The cost of jewelry services in Canberra can fall anywhere from $100 to $10,000. It largely depends on the service, design, and metals needed for a piece.
A simple ring resizing will be on the cheaper side of the spectrum, whereas creating a custom design with gemstones can fetch upwards of a thousand dollars.
1. McGlades Jewellers
Address: 182/200 City Walk, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6248 5651
Business Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, Sunday – Closed
For over 70 years, McGlades Jewellers has been helping Canberra with their jewelry concerns. They’re one of the oldest establishments in the area and have managed to expand their services over time.
They have specialists on their team who can help you with a variety of things, such as goldsmiths, valuers, re-stringers, and even gemmologists who can help you source precious stones.
But where they really shine is in handmade jewelry. They’ll work with you closely to design and craft the accessory of your dreams.
Time isn’t an issue with them at all. Whether you need something on short notice or you’d like to take years to see all your options and identify the piece that makes your heart sing, they’ll accommodate you.
However, they’re very upfront with what they can do. They’ll say no to some designs and requests, but they’ll provide similar alternatives according to their skills.
Would highly recommend them
“The team at McGlades Jewellers are absolutely amazing. They helped us over an 2 year period to find the perfect emerald to replace the broken one on my wife’s engagement ring. Took us a few goes to find the right one but the team patiently worked with us and sourced one that we absolutely loved and was a perfect fit for the ring. Would highly recommend them for all your special occasions!”
– Golam Bhuiyan, Google Review
My “go to” jeweler
“McGlades has always been my “go to” jeweller. Trustworthy, professional and local family business. They have quality and unique jewellery and are very knowledgeable. Always a very personal experience. Recently had a treasured family piece resized and they did a great job.”
– Google Review
2. Arnold & Co. Jewellers
Address: Canberra Centre, Shop DF 12-13 Level 1/148 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 449 875 759
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
At Arnold & Co. Jewellers, they believe that just like gemstones, no two clients are similar. So they offer a highly tailored experience for each customer that walks into their showroom.
This is why customization is a huge part of their services. They already have an impressive selection, but clients are also allowed to mix and match elements from existing pieces and combine them into something uniquely new.
You can also go to them to produce something purely from scratch. Their advanced 3D modeling software brings jewelry to life, allowing you to see and tweak your ideal accessory with no hassle at all.
Unfortunately, you may have to plan way in advance if you decide to go to them. Some of their pieces take a while to arrive, with a few reports stating that their order took several months before being handed over.
Still, the quality and price point of their ethically sourced jewelry make them a top choice for locals. It’s why they’ve been successful for over a decade.
Beautiful jewelry and great service
“My fiancé and I bought our wedding rings at Arnold & Co and the sales staff were very knowledgeable and professional. i was so impressed I came back to buy Pearl earrings for the day. Great selection and staff were again so helpful. I was surprised and happy that I could try them in my ear (they were able to sanitise them). Bought a beautiful pair at an amazing price. Highly recommend Arnold & Co for fine jewellery and great service.”
– Naomi G, Google Review
Could not recommend enough
“Recently bought both my partners and my own engagement rings here. The staff were all super friendly and knowledgeable, we ended up both getting custom rings made and they exceeded our expectations in every way. The quality was unmatched. Will definitely be returning to buy wedding bands here. Could not recommend enough.”
– Grace Hudson, Google Review
3. Diamond Boutique
Address: Shop 141 Mode 3/24 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone: +61 2 6249 6997
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday – 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday – 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Diamond Boutique is known for making the trickiest repairs possible. Unlike other jewelers who are quick to decline, they’ll do their best to make your vision come to life.
And they don’t do it recklessly either. They’ll explain the pros and cons thoroughly so that you’re informed and keep you updated throughout the progress.
Their turnaround time is quite fast when it comes to their own pieces. Some of the repairs or customizations even take less than 24 hours because of their onsite workshop.
However, jewelry coming from other stores may take a whole lot longer to fix. The end result is well worth it though, because of the attention to detail that they display. It’s almost impossible to find a fault with their handiwork.
All of this comes at such an affordable price point, which they even make more accessible through discounts. They offer unique deals such as a percentage off when you post your proposal and tag them online.
Thoroughly impressed
“We have been thoroughly impressed with James, who has resized my wife’s wedding and engagement rings. We were so happy we decided to get an eternity ring made. From start to finish he has reassured us and given fantastic advice and comments on the process. We strongly recommend James and the team at Diamond Boutique, go pay them a visit if you are interested in buying or getting any jewellery made. We are absolutely stoked!”
– Steve Adams, Google Review
Love the team
“Love the diamond boutique team! Had lots of repairs and reworking of pieces done here over the last few years and its always been a quality result and very reasonably priced. They explain the pros and cons of options if a repair is tricky and i totally trust them. Plenty of lovely temptations in their cabinets too!”
– Helen Woittiez, Google Review
4. Venetia Major – Bespoke Jewellery
Address: 3/8 Victoria Street, Hall ACT 2618
Phone: +61 2 6230 9587
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday – 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Venetia Major is for those who prioritize uniqueness above everything else. Their studio displays a carefully curated selection of pieces made by independent jewelers from all over the country.
You can even rely on them to add personal touches to your jewelry, such as specific repairs or a traditional engraving from their master hand. Many use the latter to incorporate family crests, initials, or special messages.
Their delicate approach is also why people trust them with fixing important heirlooms. Over 20 years of experience have taught them how to tackle even the most fragile items.
Just expect plenty of consultation and back and forth with their designers. The process might take long but it’s just to ensure that everything is to your liking.
And in case this experience with them inspires you to explore the world of jewelry, you can sign yourself and your loved ones up for their silversmithing classes. Whether you’re a newbie or an enthusiast, you’ll be guided on how to create your own designs.
Impressive level of craftsmanship
“Not only are Venetia’s designs beautiful, creative and innovative, she has a particular talent for listening to her clients and creating designs that align with THEIR personalities and preferences. The level of craftsmanship she applies to every piece she makes is impressive and the results are stunning. The pieces I have had designed and manufactured by Venetia are a delight to wear and a constant source of compliments!”
– Barbara Davidson, Google Review
Could not recommend them enough
“I am so grateful to Venetia for her beautiful work creating my engagement ring and our wedding rings. Venetia helped my husband design the engagement ring, which incorporated my late grandmother’s diamonds. I was absolutely blown away by how stunning it was, and am so grateful to Venetia for her expertise. When designing our wedding rings together, Venetia was fantastic every step of the way, with video updates, advice and of course her lovely, warm nature. We both receive compliments on our rings regularly. We could not recommend Venetia enough.”
– Hannah Walton, Google Review
5. Harlequin Manufacturing Jewellers
Address: 18/27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone: +61 402 913 503
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Monday – Closed
The goal of Harlequin Manufacturing Jewellers is to equip their clients with the right amount of knowledge about jewelry to make an informed decision. They’ll thoroughly explain things such as the properties of metals, diamonds, and more.
This comes in handy because they don’t have a pre-made selection of rings. Instead, they’ll work with you during a complimentary design consultation in person or by virtual chat to create a ring that’s distinctively yours.
You can be sure that it’s special because they only use traditional forging methods. Everything is done by hand and no casts or computer aid is involved in their process at all.
And just in case you’re doing a surprise proposal and your partner doesn’t end up liking the design, they’ll remake the ring design completely for free with the same materials.
Your jewelry will also have a lifetime guarantee for cleaning, polishing, and plating. The first one’s free, but the rest is half off, showing just how much they care for their clients.
Highly recommend them
“Stop searching – this is where you want your engagement ring made. Matthew is professional, passionate about his craft, and exceptional at bringing your vision to life. Watching part of the ring-making process was a special and memorable experience. I highly recommend Harlequin Jewellers to anyone in need of a beautiful hand made piece. I will be returning for the wedding rings soon.”
– Luke Secomb, Google Review
Exceeded anything I could have imagined
“Matthew did an amazing job of guiding me through the process of repurposing some inherited jewellery into the most stunning ring (particularly when I had very little idea of what I wanted to start with). My ring has far exceeded anything I could have imagined! Will definitely bring any future jewellery business back to Harlequin. Thank you so much”
– Ella Agapow, Google Review