Words by Nick Crockford
Jade Jewellers is celebrating its 21st birthday on Saturday by giving away an Antwerp Diamond valued at $2500.
The diamond is top prize in Dig for a Diamond, a competition being run from tomorrow until Saturday (August 19-21) at the Burpengary Plaza outlet.
Gary and Laurene Coates wanted to do something special for their customers who have been the “best part” of Jade Jewellers’ as it reaches this milestone.
“The diamond will be placed among 500 Cubic Zirconias and customers will have to dig for it,” Mr Coates said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun that’s for sure.”
Secret surprises
“We have met a lot of different people over the past 21 years and each and every story they share with us is special.
“We get to share in secret surprises, heartbreaking losses and funny innuendos. It’s that exchange that turns them from a customer into a friend.”
The Coates’ journey started when Gary bought a jewellery business in Nundah.
“I was a watchmaker and we thought it would be a good idea,” he said. “But we soon realised we lacked a lot of business knowledge so it was a steep learning curve.”
Never give up
They opened a second store in Caboolture but left Nundah after the CBD was impacted by a shopping centre reducing foot traffic.
In 2010 and 2012 Jade Jewellers had two major robberies and the Coates were left with a hard decision - to start again? or quit?
“I was taught to never give up,” Mr Coates said. “We loved our business, our customers and we were lucky to get to do what we loved every day.
“We were told about a jewellery store in Burpengary that was closing down so we secured the location, did a small refit and reopened.”
Family business
Gary and Laurene’s daughter Erin Mahar officially joined the family business in 2013.
“I remember asking her to go and help her dad with some custom designs and that’s where she found her passion.,” Mrs Coates said.
“Erin created her own jewellery design label Elegance and Joy which was a fantastic milestone for her career.”
Jade Jewellers is at Shop 5, Burpengary Plaza, 177-183 Station Road, Burpengary. Phone 3888 0995
Related Stories
Top Stories
Vote for Moreton Bay Art Prize people’s choice award
There’s still time to vote for your favourite piece in this year’s Moreton Bay Art Prize exhibition.
Popular Stories
Trai Fuller: ‘It’s always felt like home’
Praised by Wayne Bennett for his courageous style of play and loved by long-time Dolphins fans, Trai Fuller has locked in a two-year deal with the club he calls home. He tells us why it means so much to him
4 Ingredients author to share her favourite recipes
Best-selling author behind the hugely successful 4 Ingredients cookbooks, Kim McCosker, will share three of her favourite recipes when she takes to the stage at this year’s Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival. Find out what she plans to make here
Changing tide for Coastguard Redcliffe
Coastguard Redcliffe will soon be part of Marine Rescue Queensland and is expected to make the full transition during the next six months. Here’s what it means for volunteers and boaties