If you’ve wandered along Darby Street recently, chances are you’ve noticed a new storefront coming to life.

That storefront is home to Matthews Jewellers, the family-owned and run jeweller dedicated to quality and craftsmanship.

Locals in Newcastle and the Hunter will likely be familiar with the Matthews name. The company is currently run by brothers Adam and Sam Matthews, the grandsons of the company’s founder Norman Matthews, who opened the first Matthews Jewellers in Scone in 1957.

The family’s jewellery expertise has expanded throughout the Hunter Valley since, with the family eventually setting their sights on Newcastle – currently the home of their Kotara store and now their newest roots on Darby Street.

“We always wanted to have a second location in Newcastle. We like the vibe down here at Darby Street. We always wanted a street-based store, on a high street, as well as being in a shopping centre,” Sam said.

The space has been years in the making, with the initial planning getting underway during the height of the Covid pandemic. With a bright, spacious fitout courtesy of Sydney-based designer Melissa Collison, the look and feel of the store is slightly different from Matthews’ other spaces.

“I think this allows for more slower-paced interactions. At Westfield, people are running to the supermarket and they just want to duck in and get something, whereas here, with the consult room and this space, everything is just a bit slower. You can take your time,” Adam said.

While the character of the space might differ, you can still expect the same service Matthews is known for, with newly designed engagement and wedding rings, fine jewellery (featuring plenty of Australian gemstones and Australian gold), and of course custom design and remodelling. Underlying the whole product offering? An unwavering commitment to quality and service. 

“There’s probably a million little details in every piece that the average person may not pick up, but we make sure they’re in there so it’s a quality piece that’s going to last forever. It becomes an heirloom that you can hand down. It’s not just trendy; it’s quality.”

The brothers still have people bringing in original Matthews’ pieces from decades ago for cleaning and polishing – a testament not only to their quality, but to the customer loyalty the brand fosters.

Matthews also knows that purchasing, designing, and remodelling jewellery can be an intimate process – that’s why they offer appointments at all their stores. Not only does this allow the team to be prepared, but it means you can sit down and really take your time. The Darby Street store also offers a private consultation space for peace of mind when shopping for a surprise.

This dedication to caring for the customer also extends far beyond the experience in store – Matthews stands by its pieces for life. On purchases of $1,499 or more, Matthews is committed to free cleaning, resizing, and rhodium plating – just to name a few services – for life.

So, whether you’re in the market for jewellery to mark a special milestone, remodelling of a sentimental piece, or even a ‘just because’ gift for a loved one, be sure to pay a visit to Matthews Jewellers on Darby Street.