My grandfather, Orfeo Anania, a classically trained Italian master Jeweller, arrived in Sydney in 1955. The story goes like this: he arrived on a Monday, and on Tuesday he already had a job making opal jewellery. In 1965, he opened a small workshop in Sydney and was commissioned by jewellery retailers all across Australian to design and make jewellery. When he opened his workshop he had already been a successful Jeweller for over 30 years, so while our business is over 55 years old, our experience spans over 75 years.
The business grew, and in 1977 my father, Ken Anania, joined. My grandfather ran the workshop, and my dad ran the office and sales. My three aunts at various times had different roles in the business, from sales, marketing, design and manufacturing. My mum looked after payroll and accounts, and I spent my holidays working in the office, running errands and helping out in the workshop.
Demand for quality Australian-made jewellery, bolstered by government protection on imports allowed the business to thrive—at one time, every major Jewellery retailer and duty free store carried Jewellery made by Anania.
To date, Anania Family Jewellers have been the 5th longest member of the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA). Ken has served on the board of directors of the JAA and the President of the Australian Opal & Gem Industry Association which then became a sector of the JAA.
In the year 2000 I, Daniel Anania, officially joined the business, first on secondment to Sydney International Airport selling jewellery while studying at University, and then in the office in 2003 as the office manager. Over a period of 10 years from 2008 to 2017 I had the opportunity to start and run a business outside of Jewellery, but continued to work in the business and as much as any know it all son does, make suggestions about changes to the business. The industry changed and the business changed with it.
In 2017 I came back, and Ken decided that after 43 years it was time to retire.
It doesn’t take long to realise that jewellery is in my blood—I’ve lived and breathed jewellery my entire life. My passion for it is boundless. I have had the great fortune to have not just a job, but a career that both gets me out of bed in the morning, and looks after myself and my 3 daughters. I am honoured and humbled that my clients trust me, and let me into their lives to
help them create beautiful pieces that will last beyond our lifetimes and on to our children and grandchildren’s.
A great business is fuelled by evolution, not revolution. I have a passion for watches, and in 2019 opened Sydney Watch Centre—a one of a kind watch repair and service centre that specialises in Swiss Watches. We do everything from battery changes, supplying and replacing watch bands, full restorations of antique watches, to buying and selling watches (including stocking Swiss watch brands Edox, Baume et Mercier and Mondaine).
In 2020, I launched AJ & W Auctions, a way for my clients and the wider community to on-sell unwanted jewellery for more than they would get selling it at scrap value and without exorbitant auction fees for the seller and no fees for buyers, allowing everyone to achieve better and fairer results.
In 2021, I also took over Diamonds by Design—this is a business that is now also into its third generation. Karen Lindley worked with my grandfather and father over her more-than-50-year career in Jewellery. Diamonds by Design specialises in Lab-grown diamonds.
What will come next for Anania Family Jewellers?
You do!
Our story isn’t complete without you in it. I wanted to build on my grandfather and father’s hard work and skill, and offer what I could—a place that you will be comfortable, with people you can trust to assist you in all of your jewellery and watch needs.
If you would like to talk to me about creating an item of jewellery, call me today on Tel: (02) 9299 4251, or use our online contact form, or send us an email to sales@anania.com.au. I look forward to hearing from you.
