Jeweller - December 2020

INSIDE
Now & Then
Fairfax & Roberts
Celebrating 162 Years • SYDNEY, NSW • A moment with Irene Deutsch, CEO
MILESTONE S
L to R: Fairfax & Roberts employees pose for a photograph in 1896; the original Lamb & Fairfax premises on
George Street in the 19th Century – a new workshop would later be established on nearby Hunter Street.
Fairfax & Roberts is proud to be Australia’s
oldest established jeweller. Our incredible
story began in 1826 when Richard Lamb
set up a business on Sydney’s main street
as an optician and jeweller. He was later
joined by Alfred Fairfax, of the Fairfax
newspaper dynasty, and in 1858 together
they established Fairfax & Roberts as
Sydney’s first ‘emporium for fine silver and
watchmaking’.
One of Fairfax & Roberts’ early
achievements, in 1873, was the design and
production of the iconic tower clock that
still marks time at Sydney’s Central Station.
By 1886, the company was designing
and creating the finest luxury jewellery,
watches and objects d’art for Australia’s
wealthiest families. These one-of-a-kind
pieces have been tightly held for generations
by the families who commissioned them.
More than a century-and-a-half later,
Fairfax & Roberts still trades in precious
jewels as well as specialising in private
commissions. We maintain our own
workshop where pieces are exclusively
designed and carved and set by hand.
Most recently, the COVID-19 global
pandemic presented a never-before-seen
challenge for all businesses. We had to
diversify, be agile and think creatively – and
to ultimately accelerate many of our longterm
projects.
We successfully launched an online
boutique for ready-to-wear jewellery,
including our extensive range of
international brands. We also renovated
our flagship showroom and launch a
new homewares brand, No.19, which has
received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
It was important to us that during these
uncertain times, we continued to provide
exceptional service and create a new and
inviting space for our customers to visit once
these times had passed.
Our success throughout our history is
measured in the tears of joy our customers
shed when presented with a bespoke,
heartfelt gift or when we hear of a Fairfax
& Roberts engagement ring being passed
from one generation to the next.
The most beautiful part about our jewellery
is that it carries our client’s life story.
Indeed, tradition is a value that we proudly
promote. Our brand is based on a tradition
of quality, excellence, design innovation and
exquisite craftsmanship.
I enjoy it when customers come into the
store and have stories to tell about their
parents or grandparents having had an
heirloom piece of jewellery made by us, and
when I mention to people that I am CEO
of Fairfax & Roberts, I see the amount of
wonderful brand recognition it evokes.
The most rewarding part is knowing that
we continue to create history every day,
by making beautiful pieces of jewellery to
mark some of the most special occasions
in people’s lives.
I do feel a sense of responsibility to continue
the brand, and the traditions and the high
level of quality our clients expect. However,
I also find it incredibly exciting to be part of
something with such great history.
This desire to create luxury jewellery that
is meaningful, now and in the future, flows
1858
Richard Lamb and
Alfred Fairfax found
Sydney’s first ‘emporium
for fine silver and
watchmaking’ at
394 George Street, under
the name Lamb & Fairfax
1873
Lamb & Fairfax designs
and produces the clock
tower for Sydney’s
Central Station
1876
Richard Lamb passes
away and Alfred
Fairfax’s nephew Barton
joins the business
1886
Oscar G Roberts invests
in the business and its
name is changed to
Fairfax & Roberts. A new
workshop at 23 Hunter
Street and an outlet in
London are opened, and
the company registers its
‘maker’s mark’ with the
London Assay Office
1898
Fairfax & Roberts
manufactures the
commemorative solid
gold ‘opening key’ to
the Queen Victoria
Building
1927
Fairfax & Roberts crafts
a sterling silver kangaroo
pin for the Prince of
Wales – the future King
Edward VIII – upon his
visit to Australia
1990
The business moves
into an iconic Art Deco
building near Sydney’s
Martin Place
2008
Fairfax & Roberts
celebrates its 150th
anniversary with a
coffee table book and
new jewellery collections
Above: The Fairfax & Roberts boutique as it is
today, on Castlereagh Street near Martin Place.
throughout everything we do. It informs
our standard and keeps pushing us to
consistently please our customers with
jewellery that inspires and delights.
At the heart of the Fairfax & Roberts
brand – and what makes our pieces
so desirable – is the unique quality of
our designs.
Creating beautiful jewellery is a task
that the artisans of Fairfax & Roberts
take seriously, continuously creating
new collections to showcase our
stunning showroom.
We have set our quality standards
exceptionally high and we stay true
to this with every piece that leaves
our workshop.
My partner and I love Fairfax & Roberts
for so many reasons. We are committed
to honouring its rich history and want
to continue to make this a place where
happiness is created.
As a newly-appointed CEO, I would
obviously like to put my own stamp on
the business – with a nod to tradition.
Our customers should expect to see
our name out there more often, and
some new jewellery collections in the
new year.
We want to make Fairfax & Roberts a
destination, where people know they
will always find something special and
interesting. We want to be the best at
what we do and continually delight our
customers – hopefully for many years
to come!
Read the full length interview
on Jewellermagazine.com
December 2020 | 27