OUR STORY

Alfred prischl

Prischl’s history began with Alfred Prischl, (born 1908) who in the early 1920’s trained as a Diamond Setter under his Uncle (Fritz Massari) in Vienna, Austria. His uncle also employed his parents designing and creating the most fashionable diamond and platinum jewellery. In the 1920’s and 1930’s jewellery design was intricate and ornate. Multi pave set diamond brooches, bracelets, rings and earrings were extremely fashionable.

In the 1930’s Alfred worked in a number of European cities including Budapest and Geneva. Due to depression and Europe’s hardships he decided to emigrate and in 1936 he accepted a position at Sidersky Jewellers in Johannesburg, South Africa. Here he established himself as a Diamond Setter, using his skills he soon became a very well known and respected jewellery designer.

Unfortunately at the start of WW11 like all Austrian citizens Alfred was interned and spent the war years in Baviaanspoort. When the war was over he returned to his passion of making beautifully handcrafted jewellery.

Alfred met his wife Josie in Johannesburg and they married in 1947 and during the 1950’s he started a business designing and making marcasite jewellery, which was all the rage at this time. Josie handmade the display and packaging and Alfred also made some modern giftware pieces in brass and glass. In the late 1950’s Alfred opened his first retail jewellery store creating and making exquisite pieces of jewellery until his untimely death in 1974.

PETER PRISCHL

Peter, Alfred’s eldest son was an adventurous soul and left South Africa in 1973 to travel the world. After sailing the islands of the Indian Ocean and travelling through Europe, he found his way to Australia ready to pursue his own passion as a jeweller. Peter was first employed with the prestigious jewellers, Bruce and Walsh Jewellers in King St Sydney until in 1976 when Peter founded his own jewellery design studio selling his work through various fashionable markets across Sydney. From here Peter acquired Robert Clerc’s jewellery workshop in the Dymocks Building in Sydney, with a partner Lee James-Young. The company Peter Lee Jewellery Productions designed and manufactured fine jewellery with their pieces sought and purchased by various upmarket jewellers throughout Sydney. Lee left the business in 1980 to pursue other interests and Peter lead the business as a solo designer.

In the early 1980s Peter met Ian Hadassin a precious metal supplier. Peter and Ian formed a new company expanding PeterLee Jewellery Productions. This enabled them to manufacture and wholesale fine jewellery throughout Australia and New Zealand. Peter and Ian subsequently joined forces with Strand Watchmakers and Jewellers allowing them to branch into the retail jewellery market in Sydney and Brisbane. After a very successful few years, in 1988 Peter sold his interest in the company.

In 1992 with his exceptional experience and passion for jewellery design, Peter decided to pursue his love for the family tradition and became a partner with Graham Walsh as Prischl and Walsh Jewellers. They successfully opened stores in North Sydney and Hornsby.

In 1996 after completing a Bachelor of Art Theory, (UNSW) Casi, joined the company as the Manager of the North Sydney store, going on to study Gemology and Diamond Grading at the Gemmology Association of Australia and becoming a Registered Valuer.

OUR STORES

In 1997 Peter and Casi opened the store in Northbridge with Casi running both North Sydney and Northbridge also working with Peter’s son Francis, who joined the company in 1996 as an apprentice jeweller (later leaving the business to pursue other interests).

In 1998 the partnership with Graham Walsh ended and Peter established the head office in North Sydney and continued at both North Sydney and Northbridge stores now named Peter Prischl The Jewellery Shop and his manufacturing company Peter Prischl the Jewellery Factory.

In 1998 with Peter’s extensive jewellery expertise combined with Casi’s valuation skills they assisted Bankers Trust in the purchase of the Hayman Island Jewellery Boutique which they were consequently contracted to manage, stock and run the day-to day affairs of the Hayman Jewellery Boutique, selling exquisite jewellery pieces to guests from all over the world. When the hotel changed ownership the arrangement ended in 2007.

Over the next few years Peter and Casi consolidated their business and started to create their own concept store, all the time focusing and reflecting on Peter’s exclusive style, carrying a selection of exquisite pieces of jewellery from all over the world to compliment their own custom designs. In 2012 Casi joined Theodore Bruce Auctioneers and Valuers as their Jewellery Specialist and in 2018 became the Head of Decorative Arts & Jewellery.

Peter’s son Thomas joined the company 2001, working part time while studying business management. Thomas was involved in retail sales and computer aided design. Thomas has since left to open his own jewellery store. Peter’s son Philip had also assisted with retail sales and photography for the stores and has since pursued other interests.

PRISCHL TODAY

Prischl closed their North Sydney & Mona Vale stores deciding rather to concentrate on one retail outlet and concentrate on building their PRISCHL collection. The PRISCHL collection is made up of jewellery and objects d’art.

The exquisite PRISCHL jewellery collection is designed and made in Australia in our own jewellery workshop. Our unique designs are influenced by a young modern and rich Australian influence. We aspire to make our beautiful jewellery and other objects d’art timeless with minimalistic classic designs that will always look elegant and be majestic.

Welcome to the Prischl family.

We welcome you to come in and visit our showroom today where we can help you design your own unique jewellery collection.