Bradford jeweller welcomes their son to the business

The eldest son of longtime Bradford jewellery store owner Peter Dykie follows in his father’s footsteps, making custom jewellery and joining the industry.

Justin Dykie has always taken an interest in jewellery.

Watching his father Peter Dykie, the founder and owner of Bradford Jewellery creating custom jewellery for the community, he was inspired to follow in his footsteps.

The store recently underwent a name change to incorporate Peter’s two sons, Justin and Aydan, to Bradford Jewellery by Peter Dykie Jr. & Sons.

Located at the northeast corner of Simcoe Road and Holland Street, the store has been in the same location since it opened in April 1985, when he was just 18 years old.  Before that, Peter said he actually sold jewellery out of his locker at Bradford District High School with his then-business partner, Jim MacDonald Jr.

His mother ran the store in the daytime while he attended high school. When he was done with his day at school, he would go straight to the store to work. Eventually, he bought out his business partner and has been operating the store on his own with the help of a few staff members.

Justin has been working in the store with his father for the past year. He will be attending a gemology course at George Brown College in September and will continue to work at the store on weekends.

He recently launched his new collection of permanent bracelets, which he made live at last weekend’s Carrot Festival. Permanent bracelets are a new trend emerging in North America. This is a welded-together bracelet designed to never come loose. It is marketed as a “friendship bracelet” and is popular with siblings, family and friends.

Peter was able to acquire the coveted, hard-to-obtain welding machine that connects the silver and gold chains that Justin was using for the bracelet.

“We do gold and silver because it’s easy to use,” Justin said.

Justin said he has always looked up to his father, watching him run his store, serve customers and make unique jewelry.

“It struck me that I really wanted to bring it to many generations,” he said. “I just wanted to do my part to go to school, learn everything, and hopefully one day I can get my dad to retire.”

Justin loves the creative side of the jewellery-making process the most.

“There are no restrictions when it comes to jewellery,” he said. “It’s so cool how they come together, how a small piece of gold can turn into a ring, it fascinates me, I like to work on something and be very creative.”

His favourite pieces to work on are bracelets and rings.

“I love my bracelets because you can make so many different styles, and the rings stand out, and I love glitter…they’re essential,” he says.

Peter said his initial mood was mixed when his oldest son entered the industry.

“At the end of the day, it’s not easy, it’s a very tough business,” he said, but later embraced the idea of a partnership.

Peter said the city had grown so much that he could use extra help.

“I’m always busy and I’m getting to the point where I need help, so everything is fine,” he said.

Bradford Jewellery offers Thomas Szabo jewelry, Chamilia pendants, a full line of gold chains and jewelry, watches and bespoke jewelry in gold.

Source: https://www.bradfordtoday.ca/