Cameron Jewellery

In 1983 Peter and Jill Cameron opened their first jewellery workshop and showroom. Fast forward almost forty years and the family is now creating pieces for their first clients’ grandchildren. Whether you have a specific piece in mind or simply appreciate handmade beauty, be sure to visit Cameron Jewellery whilst in Palmerston North

Peter, who completed his five year apprenticeship and 10,000 hours of training in Palmy, is a true manufacturing jeweller. Before setting up shop here, he worked overseas most notably in Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery district. Now Peter and his family run the business together with a true passion for their trade and the community around them.

Over the years Peter has trained seven apprentices. Together with his apprentices and Sam Drummond, who has been with the business for fifteen years, Peter produces unique and stunning handmade earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and more. Pieces range from classic to unusual and all are handmade on site.

The shop’s showroom layout makes it easy to browse at your leisure and investigate each piece at your own pace. Jill, daughter Jessie and the rest of the team are happy to share the story behind each piece. Cameron’s also stocks a carefully selected range of other New Zealand brands like Meadowlark and Boh Runga. Many of these brands are exclusive to Cameron Jewellery in the Manawatū.

Past the showroom you’ll find the jeweller's workshop where you can observe the demanding and precise craft through the large windows. The juxtaposition between these two spaces is striking and thought provoking. Peter and the jewellers can often be seen firing up blow torches, pulling wire, hammering metals and manipulating raw materials into the polished and highly considered final pieces that grace the showroom floor. Watching this team work is nothing short of inspiring, and sharing this process with clients has always been a part of the story at Cameron Jewellery.

While the manufacturing team works away Jill, Jessie and the team help clients decide on pieces to celebrate, commemorate and mark special occasions, and facilitate the custom design process through on site and virtual  consultations. When designs are finalised, the jewellers get straight to work. The team all seem to agree that seeing a custom design through from start to finish is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Whether you leave with a new piece or not, a trip to Cameron Jewellery is a chance to learn about the trade, and to meet the makers and the family behind one of Palmerston North’s most treasured small businesses.