The career paths of Susan and John Blennerhassett first crossed in 1990 when John employed Susan as a jeweller at his newly established fine jewellery store – 2 years later the two began a personal and professional relationship that has seen the business flourish and Susan’s jewellery designs win national accolades.

John started his career as an apprentice watchmaker with Perth’s Caris Bros in 1966 before joining the Omega Group to set up the company’s watch service centres in New Guinea, Fiji, Brisbane and Sydney over five years.

Meanwhile Susan began a jewellery making apprenticeship in Melbourne after discovering jewellery making in a high school art class. Shortly after completion of her apprenticeship Susan moved to WA where she quickly found employment with Solid Gold Jewellers but unfortunately found her new role unfulfilling as she had no customer contact.

A short-time later, in July 1990, John employed Susan as his in store jeweller – the couple married in April 1994.

Today John attributes much of the Blennerhassett Fine Jewellers’ success to Susan.

“Susan is one of Australia’s leading designer jewelers,” he says proudly. “She’s won a number of JAA design awards and has just won the 2007 Harpers Bazaar Diamond Guild of Australia “Solitaire Award”.

“Susan is one of the very few jewellers in Australia that completely does the whole job – she will design the piece, fully handmake it and then set it herself. Our customers know this and are therefore prepared to wait for their items, as they know her attention to detail is at an award winning standard.