On the 5th of May 1964; Ken Penfold bought a bus ticket from Warwick to Brisbane to start a new chapter of his life. He was selected out of 395 applicants for a jewellery apprenticeship with Wallace Bishop, a famous name in the industry synonymous with quality. He did not know at the time that this was the start of a big, lifelong adventure and a decision that he would never regret.
The Wallace Bishop factory in 1964 was very, very advanced for the time and the apprentices were rotated around twenty workbenches within the factory. This gave Ken exposure to many different techniques and emerging trends. After two and half years, he moved on to work for a few other jewellers in Brisbane and made many professional and client friendships along the way. In 1972, Ken bought a wholesaling diamond business which gave him contacts in the jewellery industry and started him on the amazing journey of starting his own business which is still operating today, Penfold Jewellers.
In 1974, Ken Penfold was given the opportunity to open a jewellery store in the Brisbane Arcade. He jumped at the chance to use all his knowledge and skills to create something of his own. Clients loved their pieces and Penfold Jewellers thrived, quickly outgrowing their first shop space. They soon moved to bigger premises which also housed their own workshop.
In 2000, one of Ken’s many friends offered him a retail space next to Anzac Square, which was under new construction at the time. He accepted the offer and Penfold Jewellers has been based in Adelaide Street in a heritage building next to Anzac Square for the past 23 years. They continue to sell quality new and estate pieces to a loyal following of local and international clientele.
