My father Alfred trained as a Diamond Setter in his uncle’s jewellery workshop in Vienna Austria. His uncle Fritz Massari also employed my grand parents in the same business designing and creating the most fashionable jewellery of those times, which was very intricate diamond set jewellery.

Vienna

Fritz Massari in his workshop setting a gem.

Vienna Austria

My Grandparents Hedwig and Alfred Prischl - 1907

After working in a number of European countries in the 1930’s my father found his way to South Africa where he established himself as a Diamond Setter, soon becoming very well known in his field. During the 1950’s he started a new business designing and making marquisite jewellery, which was very fashionable at the time and my mother made the display and packaging. In the late 1950’s he started his first retail jewellery store creating beautiful jewellery until his untimely death in 1974.

Alfred diamond setting in Johannesburg South Africa. Late 1940’s

Alfred in his shop in Rosebank South Africa 1950’s

I started my apprenticeship in 1967 under the guidance of a master jeweller, Walter Vorlaufer who also came from Austria. I then completed the final years of training under my father’s guidance.

Peter during his apprenticeship in the 1960’s

Left: Peter and Anthony Prischl In the 1970’s

In 1973 after sailing the islands of the Indian Ocean and travelling through Europe, I found my way to Australia ready to make my own mark in my chosen career. My first job was with the prestigious jewellers, Bruce and Walsh Jewellers in King St Sydney. In 1976 I started my own design jewellery studio selling my work through various fashionable markets across Sydney. Eventually, taking over Robert Clerc’s jewellery workshop in The Dymocks Building in Sydney with a partner Lee James-Young, I opened my first jewellery manufacturing company.

In the early 1980s, in order to grow the business, I got together with a precious metal supplier Ian Hadassin, enabling us to increase market share in the design, manufacture and sale of stunning, high quality jewellery. We subsequently joined forces with a new partner, branching into retail jewellery sales in Sydney and Brisbane with the Strand Watchmakers and Jewellers. After a very successful few years I sold my interest in the company and took a well earned break travelling and taking time to decide my future.

With all my experience and passion for jewellery I was destined to continue the family tradition and in 1992 I got together with Graham Walsh and formed Prischl and Walsh Jewellers, successfully opening stores in North Sydney and Northbridge. In 1996, after completing his schooling, my son Francis joined the company as an apprentice jeweller.

In 1998 the partnership with Graham Walsh came to an end. I moved our head office to North Sydney and continued on with the North Sydney and Northbridge stores as Peter Prischl The Jewellery Shop and our manufacturing company Peter Prischl the Jewellery Factory.

Northbridge opening July 1997