Kennett Crafted Jewels is a jewellery boutique with over 140+ years experience spanning four generations. From 1880 the story of Kennett has been embedded in the story of Christchurch.
Kennett first opened up in the 1880's.
Over the next 8 years, Robert Kennett worked hard and secured one of the largest repairing trades in Canterbury.
Kennett were certified watch makers & repairers as well as jewellery makers.
Mr Kennett himself was also an optician which was not unusual as fitting a new glass to a watch was no different to fitting a lens into spectacles.
Robert would bring his son Ronald into work as he began to learn the family business.
In the 1920's they had a rebranding of the store front.
Kennett was very well known for their skills and were often featured in the Newspaper with various ads and articles.
Kennett was a popular choice and released many styles of engagement rings, watches, wedding rings and more.
Tony then became an apprentice in jewellery and watchmaking to continue on the family business.
Throughout the 1960's & 1970's, Kennett were creating trophies alongside their jewellery ventures as well as selling new ranges of watches and more.
In the 1980's, Kennett had an update and redesigned the interior of the shop.
In 1981 - Tony received his belated trade certificate in watch making.
In 1989 there was a much anticipated storewide sale on all of the stock, making room for new designs and brands to be brought into the store.
By the 1990's, Kennett had been open for 110 years and was into its third family generation of owners.
Kennett had many top end brands available in their store through the 1990's.
And in 1993 they celebrated 113 years as a family owned and run business.
A drawing of the Kennett shop in the 2000's.
In 2003 - the next generation, Anne Kennett, received her diploma in Gemmology and her Practical Diamond Grading certificate.
Practical Diamond Grading Certificate Anne Kennett
In 2004 - Anne became part of running the business and was the fourth generation since opening.
Throughout the years, they have managed to keep updating their styles of jewellery and moving with the times which people are often surprised by, assuming they have stuck to vintage pieces because they have been around for so long.
The devastating Christchurch earthquake meant the store had to be demolished.
Kennett has always moved with the times and over the years has redesigned the layout, interior and exterior spaces to suit what was needed.
2018 saw a return back to High Street.
New High Street interior
Kennett Crafted Jewels takes pride in their integrity, experience and service.
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