It has to be the best place in the world to work right near the ocean a small seaside town. Out the windows are bird calls, children fishing with boats, yachts and swimmers cruising past soaking up the sun and enjoying some of the best scenery New Zealand has to offer.
At one of his own handmade tables is where you will sit with resident jeweller Murray Brereton to talk over a concept of how to set your unique Brereton Blue Pearl, remodel your old jewellery or design forever treasured wedding and engagement rings. It’s worth the drive through the winding hills from Christchurch or Blenheim just to sit here!
Up the harbour is where Blue Pearls are actually grown and harvested over a three year period. To make it easy to understand the process there is a walk around display put together by Brereton Blue Pearls. It also shows how these lustrous gems, which are regarded as some of the rarest pearls in the world, evolve and are produced.
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Originally Murray started making and selling jewellery with the blue pearls from the Akaroa wharf about 12 years ago after having already having the studio built for him a few years prior. Realizing the potential of this very beautiful and unique gem he was the first jeweller in the world to put his credibility on the line and specialize in them.
The spot on the end of the wharf is now occupied by another jeweller, whom Murray introduced to the blue pearls, and the Brereton family has moved both its Akaroa outlets to a safer locations at 114 Rue Jolie and 2 London Quay in Picton. The new Akaroa location is no stranger to the pearls being where Murray and his brother, Allen, developed special machines in the late 1990's which still process almost all the industries supply of Blue Pearls today.
Murray has a personality that is suited to his laid back lifestyle. His wistful, contemplative manner attracts clients to him from the ends of the earth it seems. It is always a mark of success to see how much home grown trade you build up and with more and more New Zealand women who are proud owners of a beautiful piece of his jewellery it is not surprising men and women from countries all over the world are now seeking out his expertise.
So what is the secret of his success?
Murray is regarded as trustworthy and loyal as well as being so very talented. An artist who has the gift of being able to listen to his clients and hear what they have to say and what they want from a piece of personally designed jewellery. It’s not all about his art, it’s about his customers and who they are. In his 35 years as a qualified jeweller he has so many glowing recommendations from people from all over New Zealand and the globe. Why not be the next?
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