New era for Christchurch's oldest jeweller

Christchurch's oldest family owned jewellery business will officially open their new store, Kennett Crafted Jewels, at 462 Colombo St in the Sydenham Quarter on November 21. 

Kennett Jewellers are synonymous with Christchurch and were previously located in High St where they traded on the same site for 131 years. 

Anne Kennett said today: "We are excited to be opening our doors again and we see this as a new chapter in the history of Kennett Jewellers.  Being located in the Sydenham Quarter has the beginnings of the feel of High St and will only get better as businesses establish themselves here, with the new building projects planned."

Tony Kennett's grandfather established the business in 1880 and his father was born in a back room of the historic premises in 1889.  Tony Kennett, 83, started working in the shop when he was 16 and came out of semi-retirement late in 2010 to help repair more than 40 grandfather clocks damaged in the September earthquake.  His wife, Neroli joined him in the management of the business in the 1960's. Their building in High St was one of many that were demolished late last year.

Kennett Jewellers has remained in the family through four generations and is now managed by Tony Kennett's daughter Anne.  Along with offering their long established services for valuations, jewellery, clock and watch repairs, the new store showcases Anne's own jewellery brand - Kennett Diamonds - and will showcase some of New Zealand's talented jewellery designers including Boh Runga, Jo Luping and Lisa Hoskin.

Anne Kennett was the brainchild behind the new design concept of Kennett Crafted Jewels with the majority of trades people sourced locally and specifically within the Sydenham Quarter.  "Many small businesses have struggled over the past two years so it seemed only right to use companies who are based locally." she said.