Browns Jewellers History

The Brown's story began back in 1934 when Larry and Gavin's late grandfather Jack Friedman opened a boutique jewellery store in downtown Johannesburg. Jack was a talented and highly skilled goldsmith having been rigorously taught by his own grandfather. However, with Europe in a state of depression and still reeling from the effects of WWI, young Jack made the decision to seek his fortune elsewhere. As a master craftsman of diamond jewellery he could not resist the allure of Johannesburg, the city of gold and diamonds itself and so he embarked on an adventure which would change his life forever. He could not have imagined that his humble beginnings would ultimately result in his grandsons, Larry and Gavin, running the most successful jewellery store in South Africa.

Jack began to build himself a new life. He worked hard and gradually word of his skill began to spread. It wasn't long before he became known as "honest Jack" and was able to move to larger premises and clients began to travel from far and wide to view his wonderful creations and purchase his exquisite designs. In time Jack married and had three daughters and a son. The family all helped in the jewellery store and over the years his grandchildren spent many hours watching him work. His youngest daughter Myra married Bernard Brown and went on to have four sons, Sandy, Johnny, Larry and Gavin. Larry recalls how different the jewellery business was back in those days, “Saturday mornings were the most exciting. The little store was abuzz with hushed, restrained excitement as Jack’s most affluent clients would arrive in their chauffeur driven cars for an opportunity to consult with my grandfather.”

Barely tall enough to see over the dark wooden counters Jack began to teach the boys all they needed to know about the jewellery business. He inspired in them a passion for fine jewellery and nurtured their artistic and creative flair. As they grew older they too were taught the fine craftsmanship and goldsmithing techniques of their grandfather and his grandfather before him thereby ensuring that the legacy of jewellery making would continue to pass down through the generations.

Larry and Gavin finished school and went on to study, all the while continuing to be involved in the family business. Eventually, inspired by their own unique creative vision and drawing on four generations of experience and knowledge, the brothers opened the doors of their very own store only a few blocks away from Jack’s original store.

Initially it was difficult and money was tight. They did not have the capital to purchase very large quantities of precious metals or numerous big diamonds, however, there was always one unspoken rule, never compromise on quality. Instead they focused on creating smaller pieces of jewellery which were exquisitely designed and delicately made. “It was always exciting when one of our customers would order a larger more elaborate piece,” laughs Gavin, “We’d spend days coming up with the perfect design and then watching the piece come to life in our studio. But it was watching the client’s face light up when we presented them with the final creation that made it really worthwhile.”

Gradually their name began to spread and their reputation for excellent quality jewellery grew. Relationships with their customers developed and they would return again and again to purchase something wonderful for that special birthday or anniversary. “I consider myself extraordinarily lucky as every day we get to share all these happy times with our clients. Engagements, the birth of babies or anniversaries – everyday there’s something new to celebrate,” smiles Larry.

Inspired in an era when time moved more slowly and relationships were built with patience and over time Browns may have come a long way but in reality it’s not that far. Synonymous with quality, beauty, value for money and customer care when walking into Browns it’s easy to remember those special Saturday mornings when customers were served by Honest Jack, the boys at his side.