Over the years they have met many people, developed friendships and seen families grow up, get married and have their own children and grandchildren.

“We have enjoyed being involved in helping to make their special life milestones memorable,” George said.

The story of Terrace Showcase Jewellers starts back in 1958, when George’s parents,  Marta and Wladek Proszkowiec, moved to Australia with their two young sons, Peter and George.

Fluent in Polish, German and Czech, but with little English, the pair set about acquiring skills.

Marta, an accountant in Poland, trained as a watchmaker with her uncle,  and then her brother,  Henry Henc, who had a  jewellery shop located at 27 Hunter Street, Newcastle.

Wladek, a former District Amubulance manager in his homeland, also learnt watchmaking and went on to manage the watch, clock and jewellery department of Marcus Clarks (later to become Waltons).

In 1967 Marta and Wladek went into business for themselves, purchasing  a tiny 42m2 shop, originally located where the Jewellers Arcade is now, in Raymond Terrace.  

This was the beginning of Terrace Jewellery, specialising in watch and clock repairs and all the prestige Swiss brands.

A couple of makeovers, refits, and even a change of address (to the vacated newsagent next door)  followed as the business flourished.

“I often worked in the shop while still at school,” George recalled. “I remember my job before Christmas was to handwind 200 mechanical watches as well as cleaning and serving.”

George  came into the business full-time after his father died in 1973 and later completed a jeweller’s apprenticeship and obtained qualifications in diamond technology, became a qualified gemmologist and a registered jewellery valuer.

Marta retired in 1986 (although she continued to pop in every week and often brought in homemade cakes and treats for the staff) and in 1997 George and his wife bought the business.

George has seen changes in stock reflecting the tastes and fashions of the time.

“In the 1960s, besides watches, there was lots of Bohemia crystal and Italian water sets, compacts, handbags and purses from Glomesh, Oroton and Park Lane, brush comb and mirror sets, dinner sets and cutlery, children's cutlery and dummy keepers and lots of costume jewellery,” George said.

“Real Jewellery came in the form of birthstone rings, set with synthetic and imitation stones, friendship rings and wedding rings. Gradually a range of diamond engagement and eternity rings where stocked.”  

Today the business  stocks beautiful gold and sterling silver jewellery, a large range of pearls, opals, and gemstones, the best cut diamonds in the world, both loose and set, in the prestige brands of Passion8 Diamonds, CanadianFire Diamonds and the unique Australian Argyle Diamonds.

“Over the years, we have acquired a great deal of experience and knowledge and all that has happened could not have been achieved without the dedication, loyalty, kindness and hard work of all the staff who have shared the journey,” George said.

“The first fifty years of our journey has been very rewarding and we would love to continue to be a part of your lives, so please keep coming back as we love to see you.”