Team effort retains sparkle at Herrle&Herma Jewellers

AS they celebrate their 14th anniversary of being in business this month, Benita Herma-Herrle and husband Andreas Herrle, of Herrle & Herma Jewellers, have everything to smile about.

In the 14 years, Herrle & Herma Jewellers has risen to become a force to reckon with in the Namibian jewellery industry. The jewellers are known for their unique, elegant and creative designs.Nestled in the upmarket Sanlam Centre, right in the heart of Windhoek’s central business district, Herrle & Herma Jewellers has an appealing world-class appearance that immediately attracts one to enter the shop and discover the “treasure” within.Achieving this is no mean feat, but talking to co-owner of the business Benita Herma-Herrle; she makes one feel like the road, although with its minor hurdles, has been but smooth.In her relaxed, composed and warm manner Benita comes across as a pleasant person, she also hits you as an ambitious woman who is ready to take on the world and believes that the sky is the limit.Benita and Andreas, both born and bred Namibians, started their business in September 1990, and Benita explained that the first 12 months were “crazy” and not easy.But, after the business solved its teething problems things have been going smooth because Benita and Andreas loved what they were doing and were determined to see their business succeed.Andreas completed a four-year BA course in Fine Art Jewellery at the University of Stellenbosch during the 1980s, after which he came to Windhoek and started as a goldsmith with Adrian jewellers, and later with Canto.Benita was an announcer at the NBC at the time, having studied for her BA in Dramatic Art (Honours) at the University of the Witwatersrand.Herrle&Herma Jewellers mostly deals with gold, which is normally accesosirised by diamonds, tourmalines, tanzanites, citrine, topaz and aquamarine among other gemstones.They also work with animal skin, teeth, nails, wood and metal – depending on a client’s tastes – which can be incorporated into the gold for beautiful designs.”The job is very interesting and exciting.Everyday brings something new and fresh.And I can tell that customers sometimes bring in very weird and crazy ideas, but we are glad to do them to the customers’ satisfaction.You also bring in your own feel in these pieces unlike in mass production,” said Benita adding that requests helped her staff become more creative.Highlights of the business, says Benita, are special assignments, like when the company was commissioned to design a piece for the Queen of Spain, while on a state visit with her husband to Namibia in 1999.Herrle&Herma made her a set of neckpiece and earrings of gold, blue and green tourmalines and diamonds, which Queen Sofia wore to the state banquet.The company was also commissioned to produce jewellery for Face of Africa using virgin gold.Another spectacular commission was the neckpiece and earrings Herrle&Herma made for the 1995 Miss Universe pageant held in Namibia.The neckpiece consisted of sections shaped like the Namib dunes, fringed with tourmalines in many different shades of blue and green interspersed with diamonds to portray the richness of the Atlantic Ocean.These are just but a few of what the company has been doing in its 14 years of existence.In addition, 84 gold pendants in the shape of Africa with a small diamond where Namibia is for each of the contestants.Benita explained that their pieces of jewellery are work intensive, meaning there is a lot of craftsmanship that goes into making something.Very large pieces can take more than 200 hours while small pieces could be done in about four hours.The craft is a very old one explained Benita, which still uses relatively traditional tools.Benita gives praises to her staff compliment of seven employees, of which five are goldsmiths – including Namibia’s first black goldsmith Paulina Beukes – saying they are tight-knit family.Herrle-Herma also trains goldsmiths.Benita and Andreas are blessed with two daughters Anthea aged 13 and Katharina who is 9 years old.Commenting on how the children viewed and how they fitted into the business, Benita had this to say: “Our business is very much family-oriented even the girls understand it and know and appreciate what we do.We share responsibilities and everyone is very supportive.It is very much a team effort.”On the home front, Benita admits that she is not much of a cook or home maker, but does love needlework,enjoys theatre and reading.In conclusion, Benita says the business is always profitable in many ways, and the couple intend to open a second shop in Windhoek soon.Indeed, the sky is the limit for Herrle&Herma Jewellers.The jewellers are known for their unique, elegant and creative designs.Nestled in the upmarket Sanlam Centre, right in the heart of Windhoek’s central business district, Herrle & Herma Jewellers has an appealing world-class appearance that immediately attracts one to enter the shop and discover the “treasure” within. Achieving this is no mean feat, but talking to co-owner of the business Benita Herma-Herrle; she makes one feel like the road, although with its minor hurdles, has been but smooth.In her relaxed, composed and warm manner Benita comes across as a pleasant person, she also hits you as an ambitious woman who is ready to take on the world and believes that the sky is the limit.Benita and Andreas, both born and bred Namibians, started their business in September 1990, and Benita explained that the first 12 months were “crazy” and not easy.But, after the business solved its teething problems things have been going smooth because Benita and Andreas loved what they were doing and were determined to see their business succeed.Andreas completed a four-year BA course in Fine Art Jewellery at the University of Stellenbosch during the 1980s, after which he came to Windhoek and started as a goldsmith with Adrian jewellers, and later with Canto.Benita was an announcer at the NBC at the time, having studied for her BA in Dramatic Art (Honours) at the University of the Witwatersrand.Herrle&Herma Jewellers mostly deals with gold, which is normally accesosirised by diamonds, tourmalines, tanzanites, citrine, topaz and aquamarine among other gemstones.They also work with animal skin, teeth, nails, wood and metal – depending on a client’s tastes – which can be incorporated into the gold for beautiful designs.”The job is very interesting and exciting.Everyday brings something new and fresh.And I can tell that customers sometimes bring in very weird and crazy ideas, but we are glad to do them to the customers’ satisfaction.You also bring in your own feel in these pieces unlike in mass production,” said Benita adding that requests helped her staff become more creative.Highlights of the business, says Benita, are special assignments, like when the company was commissioned to design a piece for the Queen of Spain, while on a state visit with her husband to Namibia in 1999.Herrle&Herma made her a set of neckpiece and earrings of gold, blue and green tourmalines and diamonds, which Queen Sofia wore to the state banquet.The company was also commissioned to produce jewellery for Face of Africa using virgin gold.Another spectacular commission was the neckpiece and earrings Herrle&Herma made for the 1995 Miss Universe pageant held in Namibia.The neckpiece consisted of sections shaped like the Namib dunes, fringed with tourmalines in many different shades of blue and green interspersed with diamonds to portray the richness of the Atlantic Ocean.These are just but a few of what the company has been doing in its 14 years of existence.In addition, 84 gold pendants in the shape of Africa with a small diamond where Namibia is for each of the contestants.Benita explained that their pieces of jewellery are work intensive, meaning there is a lot of craftsmanship that goes into making something.Very large pieces can take more than 200 hours while small pieces could be done in about four hours.The craft is a very old one explained Benita, which still uses relatively traditional tools.Benita gives praises to her staff compliment of seven employees, of
which five are goldsmiths – including Namibia’s first black goldsmith Paulina Beukes – saying they are tight-knit family.Herrle-Herma also trains goldsmiths.Benita and Andreas are blessed with two daughters Anthea aged 13 and Katharina who is 9 years old.Commenting on how the children viewed and how they fitted into the business, Benita had this to say: “Our business is very much family-oriented even the girls understand it and know and appreciate what we do.We share responsibilities and everyone is very supportive.It is very much a team effort.”On the home front, Benita admits that she is not much of a cook or home maker, but does love needlework,enjoys theatre and reading.In conclusion, Benita says the business is always profitable in many ways, and the couple intend to open a second shop in Windhoek soon.Indeed, the sky is the limit for Herrle&Herma Jewellers.