Chris Schweder
In 1985, Chris Schweder began a life-long dream to make the art of jewellery manufacture accessible in his local village of Howick.
He is an artisan at heart and thrives on the story behind very personalised jewellery designed just for the wearer.
Always looking for opportunities to provide Village Jeweller customers with more options, Chris found quality ranges of jewellery that met his high expectations.
Village Jeweller proudly stocks international brands, from dazzling designers, and the exquisite shop offering the best in affordability, quality and beauty right in the heart of Howick.
With passion and flair, the Village Jeweller team has worked hard to put stunning pieces of jewellery into their customers’ hands – in the most affordable way.
Whether it is a piece from the cabinet, or a creation made especially for you by the in-house design service of Schweder Bespoke Jewellery, you can be assured that you will leave with something beautiful.
Pop in today and find a special something that will tell your story for years to come.
Lee Bevan
Customers know Lee Bevan’s cheery face, as he’s usually the first person they see when they enter Village Jeweller.
Lee began his jewellery career in Howick, starting his apprenticeship at J.W.Taylor.
He went further afield to Aztec Gold in Greenlane for a couple of years before returning to Howick, joining the team at Howick Village Jeweller, where he has been ever since.
Lee’s role is varied with manufacturing, making and repairing clients’ jewellery, and assisting customers to make the perfect choice all part of his busy days.
“The greatest satisfaction is when you have succeeded in a difficult task and your customer is thrilled with the finished article. The challenge is doing it right every time,” says Lee.
In 2016, Lee was runner-up Employee of the Year at Howick Village Business Association awards.
Aldo Angelo Croce
Born and raised in South Africa, Aldo Angelo Croce spent time living in Pretoria, South Africa, where he served his apprenticeship as an engraver and jeweller.
He then moved to Italy for 10 years, where he worked as a master jeweller and pattern maker, before returning to Pretoria for a further 13 years.
In 1998, Aldo made New Zealand his new home and he has worked as a master craftsman for Village Jeweller.
He is the man behind Design Angelo, a range of silver rings that are inspired by his time in all three countries, creating a unique design style.
Jeremy Stewart
While still at school Jeremy Stewart had an inkling that the world of jewellery would be a good fit with him.
Jeremy’s neighbour fixed jewellery and he was always impressed by the way he could repair and polish old jewellery to make it look like new.
Jeremy met his future wife when they were teenagers and her father was a manufacturing jeweller.
He gave Jeremy experience at the jewellery factory and the young school-leaver learnt that if he didn’t have the vision, the hands or the drive – he would never be a good goldsmith.
Jeremy leapt at the challenge and likes incorporating the skill of the manufacturer with the flair of a designer.
He works with materials that give him the best result and he thinks he may be a perfectionist – not resting on a jewellery task until it is completed to a high standard.
Joining Village Jeweller in July 2017, Jeremy’s work is manufacturing jewellery and repairs, cleaning and polishing.
He lives in the heart of Howick with his wife, who is also in the jewellery industry and they keep one another inspired and motivated.
Isabell Dempsey
Isabell is a familiar face at Village Jeweller.
For more than ten years she has helped customers with her extensive jewellery knowledge and expertise.
Isabell qualified as a manufacturing jeweller in Europe, before moving to New Zealand in 2001.
She works part-time at Village Jeweller, helping with all aspects of the business, including customer service, administration and displays.
When not at work, Isabell love spending time with her family and doing anything craft related.
“I have always had a passion to make things,” says Isabell.
“Anything from making jewellery to knitting socks, I love being creative.”
You can find Isabell in-store on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Michele Theron-Jansen
In 2003, Michele Theron-Jansen joined the team and her expertise is keeping everything in order behind the scenes.
Michele has an accounting degree and worked at PWC in South Africa before immigrating to New Zealand.
Kelly Ryu
Internationally-recognised, Kelly Ryu recently joined the Village Jeweller team as the new young face and talent. She describes her role as helping people with “all their pretty shiny things.”
Kelly is in-store Mondays and Saturdays and she is soon to graduate from the prestigious Peter Minturn Goldsmith School.
To-date, the most rewarding aspect of her role is getting to play a small part in people’s milestones.
Kelly knew she had to be a jeweller when she realised she was a magpie – surrounding herself and creating, as many pretty shiny things as she could.
She’s been recognised too, winning apprentice of the year for third and fourth year students at the Jewellery Design Awards 2017 , which are held in conjunction with the International Jewellery Fair in Sydney.
Her design – a pair of Byzantine-inspired chandelier earrings.
If you’re keen to talk pretty-shiny, Kelly is your girl.
Ravishka Arthur
Attention to detail must be inherent in Ravishka (Rav) Arthur’s personality.
She is studying a PhD in forensic science at the University of Auckland and works part-time at Village Jeweller.
Rav’s experience with jewellery began a few years ago and she enjoys learning about the processes involved in creative design and manufacturing at Village Jeweller.
The story behind each piece and the thought that goes into the design intrigues her, as does the working relationships between Village Jeweller staff and their customers, who become more like friends.
The balance of art, engineering and science when creating the perfect piece of jewellery interests Rav.
She has lived in Bucklands Beach for most of her life and when it comes to understated style – pearls are her absolute go-to jewellery.