A Jewelled Legacy

27th Jul 2026

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of treasured jewellers, Gerard McCabe. We lifted the lid on their fourth-generation jewellery box to discover the enduring legacy within

When it comes to fine jewellery, the most standout pieces have a memorable story attached. Longstanding clientele of Gerard McCabe will know that their pieces come with one of the most enduring stories around. The family-owned jewellers are celebrating their 40^th anniversary and four generations of McCabes in jewellery.

However, the family trade in bespoke servicing goes back even further than that: six generations, to be exact. The McCabe clan arrived from Ireland in 1878, setting up a tailoring shop in Hindley Street. The business passed from father to son until the Great Depression. Necessity being the mother of invention, and the mood of the era, Frank McCabe rented a corner of his shop to a gentleman with a gold-buying licence. Eventually, Frank himself took that licence on.

The family trade may have shifted to jewellery making, but the McCabe penchant for adorning their clients remained. Frank’s descendants took up the jewel-encrusted mantle. His son, Patrick McCabe, became a jeweller, opal cutter and valuer. His grandson, Gerard McCabe, a gemmologist and antique jewellery expert, opened his own store.

Today, the heirloom business is in the hands of Gerard’s eldest children, Jessica and Justin. We invited them to take a loupe to their ruby legacy, and tell us what the refractions within reveal about the past—and their future.

How do you go about selecting stones for your pieces?

The stones come first, and they need to knock our socks off to make it into the range. Justin oversees everything, hand-selecting gemstones for in-house designs and curating the full jewellery offering.

We are always on the hunt for exceptional gems, having built up key partnerships with premium merchants. Occasionally, a stunning stone will come to us via an antique dealer. Regardless, once we have the gems, each design is crafted to suit them.

What are the hallmarks of Gerard McCabe’s craftmanship that lend themselves to longevity?

Fine jewellery should feel as good as it looks. We agonise over every detail to build the strength and beauty of our designs. With fine jewellery, function is as important as form; the design is quite architectural. The untrained eye may not pick up on it, but a lot of research and development goes into our designs.

What’s the best way to care for your pieces so that they last over time—and can eventually be handed down?

Fine jewellery needs to be worn with care, stored appropriately and serviced regularly. Upon purchasing, ask us for any specific wear-and-care tips; this will depend on the piece’s gemstone, design and age.

Take your jewellery off when doing any manual work with your hands: washing dishes, gardening and exercising in the gym. Kettlebells and diamond rings do not mix!

Finally, visit us every six months for a complimentary in-store clean, at which point the team will check for any issues. It is always better to maintain your pieces with regular servicing rather than undertake a full restoration after years of damage.

You make custom engagement rings; what can an individual or a couple expect when they come to you?

We have amazing teams in our stores, who are dedicated to their clients and strive to create pieces that suit their specifications. When you visit us, you are invited to sit and relax. There is no rush at Gerard McCabe; we allow the time for you to explore all the options and feel confident in your decision. In store, we have a mixture of digital tools, sample ring designs and ready-to-wear rings, including one of Adelaide’s largest selections of premium diamond engagement rings. All of these, along with regular try-ons throughout the process, help our clients to conceptualise what the final product will look like.

Tell us about your two blue stone collections, Capri and Kilimanjaro.

Capri and Kilimanjaro have both been a part of the range for some time; this season, we are introducing new designs into each.

Kilimanjaro celebrates the beauty of Tanzanite, a rare and exquisite gem that presents as a mix of blue and purple. Our latest additions convey the passion of this gemstone in striking cocktail rings, with bold designs for expressive women.

Capri sweeps us away to the Mediterranean and sun-drenched days spent beachside, prosecco in hand. Clear aquamarines are accented with diamonds, mimicking the dance of sunlight on the ocean. It’s a collection for celebration and joy.

At your recent exhibition, did you uncover any remarkable stories attached to clients’ pieces?

We heard so many incredible stories in the lead-up to our client exhibition. One was from Jodie, about her sapphire and diamond ring. She visited our store to get inspiration for her 20^th wedding anniversary present, falling in love with a Ceylonsapphire and diamond ring. Unfortunately, it was outside of her budget. She found other styles that she liked, but none as much as that initial ring. Months passed and she could not get it out of her mind, eventually returning to find it had sold. At Christmas, Jodie opened a gift from her husband to find the ring inside. He was the one who had purchased it, surprising her two months ahead of their anniversary. The whole team at Gerard McCabe were in on it!

Over the last 40 years, what have been some of the most memorable moments at Gerard McCabe?

Some of our favourite moments have come from involvement with our customers and the broader community. We were honoured to support the Bone Growth Foundation for 9 years with our Celebrity Tennis Challenge in the 90s and 2000s. In 2010, we presented the NOIR Fashion Parade, showcasing all-black designs from local labels. It was an exciting time for fashion in Adelaide, and we stretched our design team to create oversized jewellery for the catwalk.

More recently, we have been recognised as the ABIA’s Designer of Dreams, taking out the top spot for wedding and engagement rings. We have also been inducted into the Family Business Association’s Hall of Fame, which is an incredible acknowledgement of the hard work our team puts in on a daily basis.

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in the next 40 years?

We will continue to champion Australian gemstones and local stories, sharing them with the world. Advances in technology enable us to support more clientele in their celebrations, wherever they are, but we’re excited for international visitors to experience what is so special about Adelaide and Australia. We hope to bring joy to our clients through our designs and genuine approach to customer service. As a family business, we hope to foster a passion for exceptional jewellery in our children and the generations to come.

To explore the entire Gerard McCabe collection, visit their website or browse in-store at Adelaide Arcade or Rundle Mall.