Soklich & Co. Jewellers has opened a new flagship showroom in South Perth’s Civic Heart precinct, marking 60 years in the jewellery industry.
The store is located in the restored former South Perth Post Office building, originally constructed in 1900, and reflects the latest phase of development for the family-run business. Now in its third generation, the company continues to operate under the Soklich family, with its three divisions: Soklich & Co. for retail and custom jewellery, Ellendale Diamonds for wholesale, and a high-security safety deposit box facility in Perth.
A Heritage Site Reimagined
The new showroom is the result of a five-year renovation project that retained the original architecture and incorporated modern design features. According to co-owner Lexie Soklich, maintaining the building’s historical character was a priority:
“This building was originally built in 1900. We’ve tried to preserve its history as much as possible while creating something fresh and exciting. It’s a historical gem in South Perth and we want to honour its story.”
The interior includes curved display counters, an Italian-made chandelier shaped like cherry blossoms, and a fully visible jewellery workshop. This open workshop, referred to as “the fishbowl,” enables visitors to see jewellers at work as part of the store layout.
Business Evolution and Structure
Soklich & Co.’s origins trace back to 1965 with gemstone exploration in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In 1966, the family acquired the Great Australian Amethyst Mine, leading to two decades of gemstone cutting and jewellery manufacturing in Thailand. Operations were relocated to Perth in 1986, with a focus on wholesale supply across Australia and New Zealand. In 2014, the business expanded into direct-to-consumer retail with a store on Angelo Street in South Perth.
The new showroom also includes plans for a project repurposing more than 1,200 vintage mailboxes from the original post office. Soklich hopes to collaborate with Wesley College metalwork students to restore these items and integrate them into the space, alongside historical artefacts sourced from the South Perth Council.
“If I had to attach an emotion to our business, it would be joy. We want people to leave here feeling like they’ve created something that makes them happy,” Soklich said.
