Brisbane *Real master craftsmen jewellers and more
Ringleaders began in 1982 with a no-compromise ethos that remains intact today as the market around us is increasingly saturated with ever-decreasing quality in low, middle, and high-end jewellers. Warren grew up fossicking for gems and gold. When I was starting lapidary (cutting) and making jewellery in 82, I quickly realised that 90% – 95% of the gemstones that we collected were rubbish, and real quality is very rare!.
Warren’s commenced his jeweller’s apprenticeship in 1986 and gemmology studies in 1989, with 11 years of studying! Gemmology gave me full insight into the incredible range of treatments and enhancements the jewellery industry uses. These processes transform the 90% – 95% of rubbish quality diamonds and gems to look amazing, especially when commercially cut (badly and to hide issues).
Not Sold By Ringleaders
This fact is key to understanding the reality that the industry needs to focus on clearing the poor-quality majority. So, at every stage, the focus is to cut, treat, grade and market in every way possible to attain deceptively higher quality grades, which allows for a more considerable mark-up and potential profit. Real quality is scarce with the highest costs, and never short of demand.
Please be careful – The “race to the bottom”.
Produced to pass loopholes to look good on paper (certificates and valuations) and using 200+ tricks & scams to win trust and cut cost (quality and real professional staff).
Since the ’80s, authentic jeweller’s shops have been declining as competition between buying groups, low end, mid-end and chain stores, and buying groups.
Ethical lines were galloped over in the 1990s, and in the naughties, the cost-cutting obsession grew as these unqualified competitors refined their trick and played consumers. Playing overseas factories (esp. China and India) against each other saw new lows in ethics.
The price wars heated up on the internet and with no policing, immoral and illegal practices grew (i.e. non-disclosed fractured filled Diamonds, fake Diamonds and Gems, etc.). False claims of manufacturing method and place took over. These and many other factors have seen real jewellers in western countries disappearing at an ever-increasing rate with far less than 5% remaining.
Australia passed 95% in 2016 (most western countries passed this milestone before us), the same year the government cancelled the VET fee assistance for the Jewellery diploma. Since 2010 our government has been trying to cancel the jewellery apprentice scheme. In 2018 a new milestone, the average age of a jeweller in Australia reached 50.
Ringleaders have stood firm to our commitment to our clients through all of this.
Jewellery is absolutely amazing and even magical when it’s perfect. Have you ever seen real “collector quality” precious gems or diamonds? They are phenomenal!
Ringleaders began with an onsite workshop with only highly skilled jewellers, professional and no pushy sales assistants, and happily, this attitude continues today with qualified gemmologist, lapidarist (stone cutters) and diamond graders. Sadly our beloved trade (like so many others) has been decimated by non-professionals *fake jewellers and resellers overseas factories, questionable practices, and disposable jewellery (*see some warnings on our buyer beware page, with many more in-store).
Local family owner and all Australian made.
Having our workshop means that we have full quality control of our jewellery and that it is 100% Australian made. We don’t send any custom fabrication, repairs, or remodelling to overseas factories. We believe in supporting Local and Australian companies, and products for our gold, gems, office, and consumables, wherever possible.
Brisbane’s largest range of rings
Over 1500 ring for our clients to try on! Often clients are surprised and comment on the unique designs as they’ve seen so many of the same styles and designs in other jewellers.
The vital importance of understanding Diamond and Gems.
Having a Gemmologist and Lapidarist (gem cutter) is a must for a full understanding of real quality, 2 & 5 years of training respectively (No short courses, i.e. Advanced Diamond Grading is a five-day course, jewellers receive only five days gemmology).
Only an experienced lapidarist knows the real cut quality, especially when learnt non-commercially. Cut grading systems vary from gimmicky to limited information, but a fastidious lapidarist knows and can see the actual quality and pitfalls of the cut of a gem. Only a gemmologist knows all the scientific properties of diamonds and gems, inclusions, the treatments which are massively increasing, which all can affect the value of a gemstone.
Knowing the shortcomings of the grading systems (e.g. 4C’s, etc.) and their serious dangers and limitations is vitally important. The knowledge comes from a strong ethical mindset and years of experience and questioning after 11 years of study in lapidary (non-commercially), qualified jeweller and gemmology. Ringleaders will not sell diamonds or gems that are structurally compromised, glass filled or have any other dangerous or unethical treatments/enhancement.
Ringleaders is Queensland’s most awarded jewellers by recognised jewellery industry awards.
Ringleaders have received many awards, including the World’s highest and most prodigious accolade, The Biannual De Beers – International Supreme Diamond Design Award. While we highly value our awards, the recognition that means most to us are the many personal recommendations and testimonies from our clients.
Ringleaders are proud of this ongoing praise, and for us to ensure that you too will enjoy the experience that so many already have, we employ the same basic philosophies that we have maintained since 1982.
Ringleaders is appalled by the tricks or misleading practices in the industry.
These include:
- Marking up to give false discounts and “famous sales”, etc.
- Negotiating a price and cutting corners to fit that price or increase profit.
- False claims of handmade and replacing with CAD casting.
- Asian factory made sold as Australian made
- Many *fake jewellers don’t have jewellers but call themselves jewellers or even master craftsmen jewellers.
*See our Buyer Beware page for full list for details of unethical practices.
Customer service based on the highest quality and ethics
Although many jewellery stores will claim to offer similar considerations and ethics, Ringleaders guarantees to not only use the choicest gold and platinum alloys, the best engineering and correctly graded diamonds and gemstones; but we also promise to disclose all quality and price considerations. Many jewellers lack the same fully qualified skills to back up similar claims.
We have exceptionally knowledgeable sales staff.
Professionals who have an extensive understanding of the many nuances of jewellery design and in-depth knowledge of gemstones, and the backing of our qualified experts, on hand, to assist with technical, design, specialised information and to talk with you if you wish.
- We listen carefully
- Offer educated advice
- No high pressure sales tactics
- Engage only the finest craftspeople in Australia
- Stay up to date with technical changes
- Use only the finest diamonds, gems and materials
- Ensure the fairest of price all year round
- Provide genuine after sales service.
Brisbane’s largest ranges of jewellery, diamonds and gemstones.
Our large selection of jewellery includes Engagement Rings, Men’s Wedding Rings, Ladies Wedding Rings, Dress Rings, Ear-rings, Pendants, Diamond Rings, Eternity Rings, Coloured Gem Stone Rings, Pearls, Chains, Bracelets, Loose Diamonds and Gemstones including Rubies, Emeralds, Aquamarines, Sapphires, Tanzanite’s, Tourmalines, Amethysts and many, many more.
Custom made jewellery
If you are looking for something more individual or bespoke, many people find it helpful to see and try on a range of pieces from our collection of over 1500 designs. We can assist in discovering some of the many possibilities available for custom made jewellery, and you can put your unique personal touch with our ideas, and end up with something beautiful and as individual as you are.
