Three generation Townsville business celebrates 50 years

Celebrating 50 years in business in Townsville, Bartlett Master Jewellers showcases a family legacy of artistry, tradition and innovation in crafting unique and fine jewellery pieces locally

NQ Weekend cover. Bartlett Master Jewellers with Kim, Jay and Harper Bartlett who are celebrating 50 years in business in March. Picture: Evan Morgan

For half a century, Bartlett Master Jewellers has been a beacon of artistry and craftsmanship in the world of fine jewellery.

As this esteemed Townsville business marks its 50th year milestone this month, the Bartlett family offers a glimpse into the unique fusion of tradition, innovation, and dedication that has propelled it to the summit of the industry.

The patriarch of the family, Kim Bartlett, laid the foundation of this iconic business on March 25, 1974, earning a reputation as a leader among Australia’s master jewellers.

This year, his son Jay commemorates three decades of service in the family business, while Jay’s son Harper, a senior at The Cathedral School, immerses himself in the craft, undertaking an apprenticeship with the family firm.

Their approach distinctively blends age-old traditions with contemporary techniques, standing out among jewellery makers in Townsville for locally crafting their pieces.

However, the Bartletts have more than just the business milestone to celebrate this year; Kim and his wife, Judi, are also toasting to their 50 years of marriage.

Kim Bartlett and wife Judi celebrate 50 years of marriage, as well as marking 50 years in business

Jay reflects on the family’s foundation, emphasising their collective passion for creativity, craftsmanship, and mutual support that forms the core of their enterprise.

“In fact, it is hard to separate our personal values from our business and brand values. Values that have driven our success and business longevity for the past 50 years,” Jay tells NQ Weekend. “These values might not have been captured on glossy wall posters but are certainly lived.

“The power of tradition, the importance of trust, maintaining our authenticity, fostering deep connection with our customers and suppliers and never settling for anything less than excellence have fuelled creative traditions that have been passed on from one generation to the next, ensuring that the values defining the brand and our family are always reflected in every single step from meeting our customers, to getting the jewellery designs just right, to nailing the execution.”

Kim highlights the focus on handcrafted jewellery, a choice that sets them apart in an era dominated by mass production.

“We are in the business of, and specialise in, an increasingly rare niche within the jewellery industry,” he explains. “People choose us because we live and work by the belief that jewellery is the one thing you should buy once and last a lifetime or two.”

Expressing pride in involving Jay and Harper in the business, Kim reflects on the deep trust and respect that have fortified their partnerships both within and beyond the business sphere.

“Family and tradition are the fundamental building blocks of our business.”

Kim and Jay have been a formidable duo over the decades.

“It has been an incredible mix of mentoring and support. Having Jay alongside sharing his experience, perspective and speciality technical skills is testament that you can teach an old dog new tricks,” Kim says with a hearty laugh. “I would also like to think I may have taught Jay a thing or two.”

As the youngest generation in the family business, Harper says he is excited to interpret projects in his own unique way.

“I do this while incorporating more traditional methods that I learn from Grandpa, in conjunction with modern techniques that I learn from Dad, to create something truly unique,” Harper explains. “I believe integrating older methods with the newer processes can add a whole new dimension to jewellery as you would observe in any art form.”

Bartlett family: Jay and wife Kylie, Kim, Harper, Judi and Lily Photo: Insight Creative

In the ever-evolving world of jewellery, the Bartletts have always placed a high premium on professional growth.

“Professional development is the catalyst that propels us beyond the familiar, unlocking ground breaking solutions for the future,” Jay explains.

He emphasises the family’s global perspective, engaging with international tradeshows in Hong Kong and Las Vegas, as well as participating in various national events, industry conferences, and training sessions annually.

Jay draws inspiration from global jewellery trends, yet he crafts his unique designs by delving into the essence of raw materials and the allure of rare and sought-after gemstones.

“I am always asking myself what the best way is to highlight the raw component in a piece of jewellery,” Jay explains. “Two exceptional pieces in our design studio I have just completed are living examples of how my distinctive style emerges.

“For the last 18 months I have been collecting a perfect match-set of twelve Australian Pink Diamonds and created a setting of rose gold and an exceptional white diamond centre stone to accentuate the pinks in all their glory.

“The result is outstanding, as are the matching set of earrings echoing the same pattern. I let the raw materials take me on a journey and let my experience and handicrafting skills bring out the best of the raw materials.”

With the 2020 closure of the Australian Argyle diamond mine, Jay notes the increased scarcity and value of these gems.

“Argyle diamonds are purchased for the long term, and collecting Argyle diamonds is like collecting art. Now that the Argyle diamond mine is closed, there really is no replacement for Argyle’s extraordinary pink and red stones,” Jay says. “I feel fortunate in my career to have the privilege to work with Argyle pink diamonds and if I am honest … they are one of my specialties.”

Reflecting on a personal note, Jay recounts redesigning his wife Kylie’s rose gold wedding band to incorporate a full circle of Argyle pink diamonds.

“It is a beautiful soft feminine design and even more special is what that ring symbolises … a shared lifetime together … we have been together since we met in high school.”

Harper, Jay and Kim at Bartlett Master Jewellers’ studio in Denham St

In the past five years, laboratory-grown diamonds have surged onto the market, presenting an alternative to natural diamonds that, to the untrained eye, appear identical.

However, Jay points out, the subtle distinctions between the two can only be discerned by experts and specialised equipment.

Jay says lab grown diamonds offer identical beauty and physical properties to natural, mined diamonds but come at a reduced cost.

“Lab-grown diamonds can be manufactured in potentially unlimited quantities, like any manufactured product. They are not finite and cannot be classified as rare.”

Jay says it is his goal to provide accessible information and transparency to the consumer, enabling them to better understand all the options available when purchasing a diamond, engagement ring, or a piece of jewellery.

Jay says he is proud that Bartlett Master Jewellers is known for manufacturing all jewellery pieces locally.

“All makes and manufactures are carried out on our Denham Street Workshop and Design Studio – anyone who visits can step into our world and watch a piece being made from the initial jewellery concept to the design and finished product.

“The beauty of local manufacturing means customers don’t have to wait months for a finished piece, there is no battle with the nightmare of resizing or to have precious pieces sent away or outsourced to national manufacturing businesses.

“Having something made local is pretty special and enables us as business owners to be in control of the entire process.

Jay, Kim and Harper Bartlett are celebrating the business’ 50 year anniversary. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We respect the resources we use and have a great understanding and education on the quality and authenticity of the products we source.”

Judi, who has been with the business since its inception 50 years ago, has seen many changes over the past five decades.

“Of course, there was an incredible wave of the jewellery chain store phenomena as shopping centres developed and the pendulum swing from traditional handmade jewellery to mass produced pieces, but we have been around long enough to know everything unfolds in cycles and seasons.”

Judi says staying close to the family business values and in their own lane producing high-quality handcrafted pieces has always been the right approach for the business.

“Right now, we are a part of an incredible season with younger generations rekindling a desire for handmade jewellery,” she explains. “Just as the desire for slow living, making your own sourdough bread and handmade pottery is making a comeback so is the appreciation and respect for artisan jewellery.

“It is wonderful to be a part of the next generation who think like we do … buy once and buy well.

“That is the epitome of luxury jewellery that tells a story for the next generation or two.”

Originally published as Three generation Townsville business celebrates 50 years