History
History
An Italian POW, Raffaele D’Amato came to South Africa in search of a better life. In the process, he found his wife Monica and, as a master watchmaker, shared this talent with their son, Deryck Nunes. The first Raffaele D’ Amato Jewellers shop was opened in Paarl in 1957 by Deryck and quickly gained a sterling reputation for his excellent workmanship.The next chapter for Raffaele D’ Amato Jewellers was establishing its business in George, where both talented crafters continued the family tradition at an outlet in the CBD where the father and son pair could repair international brand watches and manufacture any parts not locally available. They shared their knowledge with Deryck and Marlene’s son, Michél, who joined the business in 1989.
Today, third-generation master jeweller Michél Nunes is one of South Africa’s leading designers and at the helm of the jaw-dropping Raffaele D’Amato store at the centre of Garden Route Mall. Having completed his BA Creative Arts: Jewellery and Industrial Metal Design degree in jewellery design at Stellenbosch University, Michél was ripe to lend his talents to the family fray. After Deryck passed on in 2008, Michél has taken the business to the next level, ably supported by mom Marlene and their multi-talented team.
Michél attained his FGA in coloured gems and diamonds from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and lectured in jewellery design at Stellenbosch University before returning to the family business. He also graduated in 2016 in Canada and became a Canadian Jewellers Association Graduate Jeweller (CJAGJ). In 1990, he won the Elegant Man of the Year Design Award for his “Elegant Time” brooch. He was one of five designers selected by De Beers to contribute to the “Just for You Woman” with Style competition.
At the forefront of an ever-changing and expanding art form, Michél maintains an active interest in current design and gemmology developments, keeping close ties with Britain’s Gemmological Association. He served on the Jewellery Council of South Africa as a panel member for many years. He is an esteemed member of the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa.
History
An Italian POW, Raffaele D’Amato came to South Africa in search of a better life. In the process, he found his wife Monica and, as a master watchmaker, shared this talent with their son, Deryck Nunes. The first Raffaele D’ Amato Jewellers shop was opened in Paarl in 1957 by Deryck and quickly gained a sterling reputation for his excellent workmanship.The next chapter for Raffaele D’ Amato Jewellers was establishing its business in George, where both talented crafters continued the family tradition at an outlet in the CBD where the father and son pair could repair international brand watches and manufacture any parts not locally available. They shared their knowledge with Deryck and Marlene’s son, Michél, who joined the business in 1989.
Today, third-generation master jeweller Michél Nunes is one of South Africa’s leading designers and at the helm of the jaw-dropping Raffaele D’Amato store at the centre of Garden Route Mall. Having completed his BA Creative Arts: Jewellery and Industrial Metal Design degree in jewellery design at Stellenbosch University, Michél was ripe to lend his talents to the family fray. After Deryck passed on in 2008, Michél has taken the business to the next level, ably supported by mom Marlene and their multi-talented team.
Michél attained his FGA in coloured gems and diamonds from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and lectured in jewellery design at Stellenbosch University before returning to the family business. He also graduated in 2016 in Canada and became a Canadian Jewellers Association Graduate Jeweller (CJAGJ). In 1990, he won the Elegant Man of the Year Design Award for his “Elegant Time” brooch. He was one of five designers selected by De Beers to contribute to the “Just for You Woman” with Style competition.
At the forefront of an ever-changing and expanding art form, Michél maintains an active interest in current design and gemmology developments, keeping close ties with Britain’s Gemmological Association. He served on the Jewellery Council of South Africa as a panel member for many years. He is an esteemed member of the Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa.
