Our story - how it all started

Having previously worked for a jeweller in Sligo, Armin Lowe established the business on 1st October 1949 at 1 High St. Sligo, initially performing jewellery and watch repairs and then in the spring of 1950 expanded to selling watches and jewellery.  Having learnt his metal working skills in Berlin in the 1930’s and watch and clock repairing whilst a mechanical engineer on board the “Tirpitz” during WW2. Eventually becoming a prisoner of war, ending up rotating between Scotland and Northern Ireland for a number of years and with his home now occupied by the Russians, having fallen in love, decided he wanted to stay and so ended up in Sligo where in 1951 he and my mother, Patricia (affectionately known as Paddy), got married.

  1st August 1953 the business moved to the current address 22a Grattan St. Sligo.

Armin and Paddy grew the business together over the years and had 3 children, Carol, Pauline, both of whom worked in the business, and Patrick Armin (me,  also known as Paddy!), it truly was a family operation and we all worked well together. For us children, it taught us a lot of lessons in life learning, which stood to us. I was the one sent out to do the messages around the local Sligo business’s and so got to know all of my neighbour’s at an early age and look back with fond memories of those bygone days and those that have sadly gone, and happily with those still with us, continuing to help keep the cultural heritage of local business alive in Sligo.

Now to get back to what it is we do, along with providing an after sales service, we as Jewellers of longstanding experience in the Jewellery & Watch trade, with the expert knowledge gained over the years of qualified experience will work with you to ensure you are satisfied with the choice you make. To that end we work with leading suppliers to provide you with the finest quality products, in Gold and Silver jewellery made nationally and internationally, responsibly sourced where possible, and with our new responsibly sourced renewable certified gift packaging coming on stream we are endeavouring to do our bit for our home, planet earth.

 

We offer a Custom design service utilising CAD CAM to offer you the benefits of the latest fine jewellery production technology, on a one off basis just for you.

I joined the business full time 1/10/1981 (having ‘worked at the knee of the master’ since the age of 12, after /school and during the holidays) and after a successful leaving cert education at Summerhill College went on to graduate from the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology - having completed 3 years studies in watch and clock making, and a short stint in the famed O’Connors Jewellery Manufacturers of Harolds Cross. Continuing with studies in gemstones and jewellery, graduating with the National Association Of Goldsmiths of Britain and Ireland with distinction. Becoming a Registered Valuer and continuing updating Horological skills with ETA Switzerland in the latest developments, Stone setting at Kilkenny design centre, Diamond education with de Beers and Retail Management with Sligo It and Magee University, and nowadays continuing with digital skills, and so into the future.

My mother, Paddy, sadly passed away in August 1993 followed by Armin in December 2007, both of my parents had a lovely way with them and hopefully have it has rubbed off on me, for their positivity for life itself was a zest and a tribute to overcoming the odds.

I continue the family business, 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the Armin Lowe Jewellers just passed, having managed to survive numerous recessions, robberies and hardships, due to the  great support from our customers whom we so greatly appreciate, thank and look forward to serving, locally, nationally and those abroad  - in person or online.

 

As we weather this Covid-19 pandemic together, Armin Lowe Jewellers www.arminlowe.ie  are harnessing technology to continue to provide and expand our high quality products and services.

     

    ...an interesting story...