Master jewellers Kim and Jay Bartlett are a dynamic father-son duo who share a passion for excellence.
Kim Bartlett Master Jewellers has earned its reputation for offering one of the finest handcrafted design, repair, remake and remodelling services in Australia. Their boutique and workshop at 88 Denham Street in the city is in hot demand as Kim and his son Jay are able to create any design you have in mind.
“Whether you have an idea, a picture, or just need some creative inspiration, we can work with you to make your vision a reality,” Jay says. “We can handcraft anything from plain wedding bands to intricate earrings or pendants involving diamonds, coloured gemstones, a mix of metals, and much more.”
Kim completed his six-year apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Italian master jeweller Enzo Stella at Melbourne’s Max Hurwitz Pty Ltd.
“In the late 60s and early 70s, Melbourne city was overflowing with diamond merchants, manufacturing jewellery workshops and gem-setters,” Kim recalls. “I walked into a business in Upper Bourke Street and asked if they had any apprenticeships going and their answer changed my life forever. The opportunities I was given there is something you’ll never see again, at least in Australia.”
Kim Bartlett completed a six-year apprenticeship in Melbourne under Italian master jeweller Enzo Stella.
The workshop employed the best jewellers, diamond-setters and gem merchants from all over the world. Not only was Kim indentured to Enzo, but he was also encouraged to interact with the other masters to learn all aspects of the jewellery trade.
“We had craftsmen from Italy, Poland, Russia, Greece and Latvia as well as diamond-setters from France and Germany,” Kim says.
A fully qualified jeweller, gemmologist, diamond-setter, internationally qualified diamond grader and registered jewellery valuer, Kim’s son Jay also has a passion for learning about his industry.
“Kim has instilled the importance of constant growth through education in me,” Jay says. “High ethical standards are at the heart of everything we do, from ensuring our diamonds are conflict-free to providing unbiased advice when you’re buying a loose diamond, which are all independently certified.”
“The most challenging part of any project is to make sure the finished article is exactly what our clients had in mind. We achieve this by involving them in the designing and manufacturing of their unique piece of jewellery right from the start.” – Jay Bartlett
Whether they’re starting from an idea, or working with diamonds and gemstones that have been passed down through the family, Kim and Jay can take their client’s vision and make it a reality.
“As artists and craftsmen, we invest ourselves fully into every piece we work on,” Jay says.“The most challenging part of any project is to make sure the finished article is exactly what our clients had in mind. We achieve this by involving them in the designing and manufacturing of their unique piece of jewellery right from the start.”
Kim and Jay’s creativity is also sparked by the raw beauty of the diamonds, gemstones and materials they work with.
“My imagination comes to the fore when I come across a beautiful blood-red ruby or a vivid cornflower-blue Ceylon sapphire,” he says. “You can only be inspired to expand on their beauty and create something special.”
As testament to the high quality of their custom-made jewellery, Kim and Jay offer a lifetime guarantee on their handcrafted pieces. All of their custom-makes also come with complimentary six-monthly inspections as well as polishing and plating, to keep them looking new forever.
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