“I STAND BY WHAT MY FATHER AND GRANDFATHER TAUGHT ME: TO LOVE JEWELLERY AS AN ART.”

Renowned Adelaide jeweller Gerard McCabe has had a passion for all things that glitter for as long as he can remember. “Growing up in a family of jewellers prepared me well and I appreciated fine jewellery from an early age,” he recalls when describing how he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Gerard opened his first store in 1986 and two decades on is preparing to open his third, with his three children working alongside him. “Even though I’m the first generation of this particular business, I took the family ethical practices I agreed with: the love of jewellery as an art and the wish to fulfill people’s desire to adorn themselves.”

He is currently concentrating on designing a collection of pieces using exquisite Argyle pink diamonds. “Considering the rarity of pink diamonds, it is well worth spending more time and effort making,” he explains. 

As proof of his expertise in diamonds, Gerard was last year invited to join Australia’s premiere jewellers as a member of the Diamond Guild of Australia. “The DGA uphold the highest ethics in diamonds,” he says, “so clients feel comfortable when purchasing these beautiful gems from us.

“We also help customers to unravel the mysteries of diamond certificates and the differing cut grading systems.  We can demonstrate through our experience the great attributes of a good diamond – its fire, brilliance, symmetry and scintillation.”

Gerard McCabe’s original showroom is situated within the grand surroundings of the 120 year old Adelaide Arcade and the store’s elegant décor compliments the rich history of the building. Their Rundle Mall Plaza showroom represents the other end of the style spectrum and its sleek design appeals to McCabe’s younger clientele.

Gerard is used to return visits from his loyal client base, but he had trouble placing a particular customer that one wouldn’t necessarily associate with an Adelaide jewellery house: rock legend Alice Cooper.  “He came in with his hair tucked under his cap,” explains Gerard.  “I thought I recognised him so I said, ‘Hi, you’re George Harrison aren’t you?’ It didn’t go down very well, but he’s returned twice since to buy antique jewellery for his wife, so I must be doing something right!”

Masters of Jewellery - Written by Madeleine Collins