This year ANTIKA celebrates its 30th anniversary and its commitment to the design and innovation of silver jewellery.  To kick off the anniversary we published From the Archives, see here that highlights some of our past pieces and collections from many continents since ANTIKA’s inception.  Developing our look into our Archives, has been like flipping through a school yearbook and looking back fondly at old friends.

We were pleased to launch our new look website, which enabled more access to our social media, blogs and newsletters and easier selection from our online store.

COMPANY HISTORY

In 1986, Architect James Aris and Fay Aris opened ANTIKA in the central retail precinct of Perth, Western Australia.  It was Fay who conceived the ANTIKA concept and she worked tirelessly in their shop to create its success.  ANTIKA sold very old copperware imported from Turkey; this included a variety of kitchen and ornamental pieces, and a small amount of jewellery made from old Rajasthan silver beads and an array of semi precious stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise and amethyst.  As time progressed, the availability of antique Turkish copperware started to decline and ANTIKA’s owners crafted more and more beaded jewellery to sell to its growing customer numbers from Perth, its eastern states and overseas.

James and Fay travelled widely looking for interesting and unique artefacts.  African, Indonesian, East Timorese and Philippine earthen and wooden artefacts were soon added to the collection.

James and Fay’s daughters also worked in the business when they had time from their other work commitments.  Anthea, an organic chemist and later gaining retail experience, and Kelly, an Architect with her own practice.  Both now have a strong input into ANTIKA’s growth and development.

In 1988, a new shop was opened in Perth’s prestigious suburb of Claremont from where the artefacts could continue to be sold and ANTIKA could launch a new range of Italian designed forged iron furniture.  After a couple of years of diversifying into furniture, it was decided to concentrate on the most successful aspect of the business, jewellery.  The Claremont store was closed and all efforts were put into producing beaded jewellery and travelling to Mexico, the United States of American and Europe to find new designs and ideas.  As fashion trends changed the collection changed and today ANTIKA’s jewellery is tailored to a more contemporary market.  In 1998, another store was opened in the heritage listed arcade of Perth, London Court (see below), to capture a larger slice of the tourist market.  ANTIKA won the tender to open this second store in the prime location at the entrance to London Court on the City’s main pedestrian mall; successfully beating international and national retailers with its unique products and contemporary style.  This was an extremely successful move and ANTIKA’s business was then channelled solely through this store.

In 2014, ANTIKA launched its new online store, www.antikasilver.com.

ANTIKA has a loyal, local clientele and is popular with international business and holiday visitors - many orders come from overseas visitors who have passed its door.

Wanting to expand the business further, especially into tourist markets, ANTIKA launched into Asia and opened its first international store in Singapore in Marina Bay Sands.

 

ANTIKA’s JEWELLERY

Today, ANTIKA’s jewellery is sourced from designers in Italy, Germany, The United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Thailand.  Most of the jewellery is made of sterling silver and many with gemstones.  Of recent times, some are with high-tech materials, such as tungsten and titanium.  The uniqueness of the jewellery impresses visitors.  It sits comfortably with being refreshing and timeless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An appropriate amount of detail is taken into consideration when displaying a piece.  The jewellery is displayed to give each piece prominence, in wall and free-standing floor cabinets behind glass on a background of light suede material.  Attention to detail of the display cabinets has been an important part of the display giving the appearance that the jewellery is unencumbered.  ANTIKA offers complimentary gift wrapping and all pieces are meticulously packaged in gift boxes.

  

  

HERITAGE LISTED LONDON COURT, PERTH

Built in 1937, in the Inter-War Old English style, as a residential and commercial premises, by gold miner and financier, Claude de Bernales.  The Court is a pedestrian connection between the business district and the main shopping mall of Perth.  It is an important tourist site, being depicted on promotional materials and postcards of Perth.  Its clock, with animated figures, is believed to be one of the most photographed items in Western Australia.