Kim Bartlett began his career in 1974, establishing Bartlett Master Jewellers with a focus on precision, craftsmanship and personalised service. Over the decades, he built a trusted reputation in North Queensland, creating bespoke pieces for generations of families and laying the foundation for a business that now spans three generations.

Kim is a qualified Manufacturing Jeweller who has dedicated his working life to the art of handcrafting fine jewellery. His attention to detail, steady workmanship and commitment to traditional techniques shaped the standard that Bartlett Master Jewellers is known for today.

He completed his apprenticeship in Melbourne with Max Hurwitz Pty Ltd, training under respected Italian Master Jeweller Enzo Stella. His six-year apprenticeship covered diamond setting, jewellery manufacturing and design, giving him a strong technical foundation and a refined design sensibility.

After completing his training, Kim was recruited to Townsville by Horn & Petersen and Diamond Design, one of Queensland’s leading jewellery stores at the time. He worked as a designer and manufacturer, creating hand-made pieces for clients seeking quality craftsmanship. The Townsville Bulletin later described him as “a young man rapidly making a name for himself as a designer of fine jewellery.”

After many years with the company, including time spent as a partner, Kim established Kim Bartlett Master Jewellers to offer clients individually designed and hand-crafted pieces. His dedication to long-lasting quality and traditional manufacturing has guided the business ever since.

In 2020, with two generations working side by side, Kim and his son Jay continued to build on the family legacy under the name Bartlett Master Jewellers.

Across his 50-year career, Kim has created countless engagement rings, wedding bands and bespoke pieces, each one crafted with care and respect for the client’s story. He also played a key role in training his son, Jay, passing down the same values and skills that have defined the Bartlett name for half a century.

Today, Kim continues to support the workshop and the broader business, contributing his experience and insight wherever it is needed. His legacy lives on through Bartlett Master Jewellers’ ongoing commitment to quality, craftsmanship and genuine client care.