This amazing couple’s story is all about their passion for quality, genuine care… and a touch of romance.
You’ve probably heard of the paddock-to-plate idea when it comes to our food, right?
But what if there was a similar concept for jewellery?
That’s exactly what the friendly local jewellers George Karvounis and Rebecca Lee Bon aim to achieve at Bowral Fine Jewellery! Love it.
George and Rebecca are dedicated to everything behind their STUNNING handmade pieces, ensuring top-notch quality, care and total gorgeousness for our Highlands community.
Check out our lovely conversation with them here:
1 :: Hi there, George and Rebecca! Tell us what sparked your passion for jewellery?
George: Well, my journey in the jewellery business began with my father, who was a goldsmith. He started working in Sydney in 1968 before opening a jewellery polishing business called Trio Polishing, which was quite well-known. In 1979, he opened his own shop in Baulkham Hills and was one of the first importers of Italian chains and bracelets. In 1988, our family moved to Greece, where we originated from. I did my first-year apprenticeship with my dad before returning to Australia to continue training. Growing up in the jewellery business gave me great foundations, and I was keen to broaden my knowledge even further.
2 :: It sounds like you had quite a journey, George!
George: Absolutely! I worked with various jewellers around the city, including well-known places like Vivien’s. I also spent some time back in Greece before working with a friend in Kogarah. Then I joined Canturi as the head jeweller, where we created pieces for big names like Nicole Kidman and Katy Perry. One standout project was designing a diamond necklace for Barbie to mark her 50th anniversary. It was a pretty amazing thing to be a part of. I did that for around 18 years before I met Rebecca, and we decided to shift gears back to hand-making jewellery.
3 :: How did you get into the Jewellery biz, Rebecca?
Rebecca: I remember when I was young, around six or seven, my mum gave me a few of her rings. I cherished them, and that’s when I became hooked on jewellery. I started working in sales at Prouds at 15. I was so fascinated by the process that I’d pester the jewellers with questions, often getting in trouble with my managers, haha!
As I got older, I knew I wanted to be a jeweller. I went door-to-door asking for apprenticeships. I remember actually being told by some people that jewellery is a male-dominated trade and I should just stick to sales. I’m so glad I ignored those comments because my persistence paid off, leading to my apprenticeship at Canturi. Eventually, I began working with George, who is an incredibly talented jeweller and teacher, and over time, we fell in love.
4 :: Aaw so romantic!
Rebecca: It really is! Our connection strengthens our work. We often go home, cook dinner, and discuss ideas. We can’t wait to start a family and have our own little jewellers someday!
George: We loved city life, but we know the Southern Highlands is a fantastic place to raise a family, and we’re ready for that.
5 :: And what else motivated the shift?
George: We both wanted to return to personalised jewellery services. We believe in creating a lasting relationship with our clients and being there for their significant life moments, like weddings, births, and birthdays. Just like you have your doctor, mechanic or dentist, having a jeweller you trust is important. I feel that connection has been lost over the years, and personal service in the jewellery industry is crucial.
Rebecca: Exactly! We love helping couples design their engagement and wedding rings. Then, when they have kids of their own, we can create pieces for their special moments as well. It’s about building that trust and connection. We’ve heard stories from people who’ve had not-so-great experiences with jewellers, and we want to change that by personalising each interaction and ensuring our customers are happy.
6 :: That trust is essential, isn’t it?
George: It is. My dad taught me that integrity is paramount. Many of the gem merchants we work with still remember him, and those relationships are the foundation of our business now.
Rebecca: We take it a step further. We know our suppliers personally, from those mining sapphires to our pearl suppliers, even the folks in the water doing the diving. This way, we know we can maintain high quality without too many extra hands involved. We have high standards and we keep them!
7 :: It sounds like you’re very hands-on.
George: Exactly! It’s like a jewellery version of paddock to plate. We track where our stones come from and understand the entire process behind them.
8 :: And what can locals expect from a visit to Bowral Fine Jewellery?
Rebecca: We want to introduce a tailored experience for each customer. We understand that jewellery is sentimental, and we treat every piece, regardless of value, with the utmost respect.
George: If it’s important to you, then it’s important to us.
Rebecca: We’re always here to answer questions, provide education, and even offer complimentary cleaning. If a piece needs attention, we’re transparent every step of the way. We take before-and-after photos to show our customers the work we’ve done.
9 :: It sounds like you truly care about your clients.
Rebecca: We absolutely do. For our custom pieces, we involve the customer in the whole process and ensure they receive photos of the making and finished product, along with a valuation. We want each piece to be the start of something special.
George: Plus, we offer complimentary cleans afterwards to keep their treasures looking beautiful.
Well, we know where we’ll be going for our next special piece!
If you’re interested in getting something beautiful for yourself or someone you love, or if you have something sentimental due for some TLC, then don’t hesitate to reach out to George and Rebecca at Bowral Fine Jewellery.
You can find them in the Grand Arcade on Bong Bong Street in Bowral and online. Their craftsmanship and quality of care really stand out, and we’re so lucky to have them right here in the Highlands.
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