Gecko Jewellery owner Maria Furmier hopes to resuscitate her business after it took a huge knock during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The jewellery shop in Crowthorne AH has been in operation for about 30 years and specialises in gemstones, crystals, scratch patch and mine tours, among others.
She said her business started with rough stones being cut from scratch and turned into perfect shapes. It was named Gecko because of all the stones’ mercurial nature of coming in various colours.
Previously, the shop got swamped during its prime with people from all walks of life who came to view the glorious stones. “Those days, there were lots of tourists, and we could not keep up with the demand, but now things are not as good as then. The last three to five years, the market was very good and it was stable. However, in the last three years or so, we did not bring in any customers and that has affected the business,” said Furmier.
Despite the challenges and the trail of destruction left by the pandemic, she said she continued to employs six staff members, with the oldest employee working there for the past 29 years.
She said she kept the employees because they also have families that looked up to the business and because it is not their fault that the country experienced the pandemic.
“I want to educate customers through scratch patch to learn more about stones and their health benefits. Tourists are slowly coming back after Covid, and that’s why I host school tours, events, and Christmas events to bring people back. I hope people will hear about the business. I think word of mouth is the best for now to help revive it.”
Furmier said she recently hosted a school tour from Orange Groove with over 700 learners as it provides a different outing and offers knowledge. She assured her customers that all their items were genuine and do not wear off.
Some of the attractions at the premises include a replica mine which educates customers about the business and its functioning. Furmier is passionate about stones, and wants to keep them all – whether in good or rough times.
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