Both High Street jewellery businesses lost their buildings in the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Fortunately both recovered most of their stock, but have spent the last year wondering how and where to set up a temporary retail store.

The two families have been well known independent jewellers in the Christchurch Central City area for a combined total of nearly 200 years. Dick Donnell has been working on High Street since 1952 and Tony Kennett had taken over the family business which was established on High Street in 1880.

Losing their premises has been hard on both families, but they have got through with the support of other colleagues in the Christchurch Jewellery and Watch industry, who also lost their premises in the September and February Christchurch Quakes.

After an initial joint venture at the Canterbury A&P Show (with Westende Jewellers), the Kennett family found new premises in Sydenham and have invited the Donnell family to share space for a few months to sell off all their earthquake recovered stock.

This is very exciting news! We opened on 13 March 2012, and have everything on sale.

Watches have 30% to 70% off, jewellery and diamond rings have 30% to 50% off pre-Earthquake retail prices!

Come in and see Donnell Jewellers and Kennetts Jewellers, Christchurch’s two traditional High Street jewellers in their new premises at 462 Colombo Street, Sydenham today.

Our hours are Tuesday to Saturday – 10am to 4pm. Phone 03 366 3648.

Donnell Jewellers - A Family Business

Donnell Jewellers is owned and operated by Master Craftsman Jeweller and Valuer, Richard Donnell. Richard is assisted by his wife, daughters, grandaughter and staff. Between us we have over 100 years of combined knowledge and expertise.

We specialise in the following services:

• Repair and restoration of your precious jewellery.
• Designing and hand making rings, pendants, earrings and bangles.
• Valuing jewellery for insurance and after loss purposes.

We are stockists of beautiful gold and silver jewellery, and several internationally recognised brands of jewellery and watches, including:

• Celtic Class
• Lord of the Rings
• Swatch, Flik Flak, Bijoux
• Casio
• Seiko, Pulsar, Lorus
• DKNY
• Fossil
• Citizen Quartz & Citizen Eco Drive
• Adina
• Olympic
• Timex

Telephone 03 366 3648 or contact us online.