A Swiss Jewellery History
Frieden Jewellery Manufacturer, located at Obere Hauptgasse, celebrates its 125th anniversary. Founded by Emil Frieden, the small workshop grew over the years into an international jewellery manufacturer. In 2018, Patrick and Brigitte Aeschbacher took over the company, but the third generation of the Frieden family continues to be involved in the daily business.
Emil Frieden
In 1898, the Frieden brothers Emil and Jacob opened a workshop for traditional silver jewellery for folk costumes. Soon their creations were highly valued and widely known. In 1907, they separated, Jacob opened a shop in Bern, and Emil moved to the prosperous city of Thun, where he bought a house at 37 Obere Hauptgasse, which still today serves as the company’s head office. After Emil’s unexpected death in 1917 his wife Lina managed the company on her own until two of her sons – Eugen and Willi – finished their apprenticeship as goldsmiths.
Women in typical Bernese costumes with traditional silver jewellery.
Soon after joining the company, the Great Depression hit them, leaving not enough income for two families. As another source of income, William started a wholesale business, visiting jewellers in Switzerland with a small collection of silver jewellery. One day he returned proudly from Zurich with an order for his jewellery made in 18k yellow gold instead of silver!
In 1954, William was a founding member of the first Swiss Jewellery Pavilion at the annual exhibition in Basel and started to build up an international clientele. More international jewellery shows followed in the USA, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Munich and the United Arab Emirates.
Prof. Dr. Eduard Gübelin and Thomas Frieden in Burma (1993).
Charlotte und Thomas Frieden beim Perleneinkauf in Tokio, um 1980.
The “Gatsby”, examples of the Anniversary Collection.
In 1970, Thomas Frieden took over the wholesale business from his father William, whereas his cousin Heinz managed the local retail shop. Over decades, Thomas visited jewellers with innovative jewellery lines and, together with his wife Charlotte,
developed new markets onall continents. At the same time, René Lauper joined the company management as a partner, gemmologist and production manager.
Parallel to his sales trips, Thomas Frieden started direct imports of coloured gemstones and cultured pearls and over the years built up a worldwide network in the countries of origin: Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Burma, Japan, Tahiti and Vietnam. He was also a partner in the Pink Valley mine in Madagascar, near Ilakaka, where in 1998 an important deposit of blue and pastel-coloured sapphires was discovered. These amazing natural colours helped to design and create the unique Rainbow Collection.
Searching the markets for gemstones together with his passion for gemmology is daily business for Thomas Frieden. Rare coloured gemstones are an original way of asset
diversification.
From Madagascar, rough sapphires in pastel shades.
Bracelet from the Rainbow Collection.
Thomas (left) und Charlotte Frieden, René Lauper, Brigitte and Patrick Aeschbacher.
In 2018, Thomas and Charlotte Frieden and René Lauper sold their shares to the owners of Bläuer AG – Patrick and Brigitte Aeschbacher, who were appealed to diversify into the jewellery manufacturing and wholesale business. Brigitte Aeschbacher added new designs to existing jewellery lines – her first collection, “Mother & Daughter,” was well received by major clients and jewellers. Just recently, she presented her Anniversary Collection with its four lines Adele, Arabesque, Gatsby and Marquise.
To mark the anniversary, Luki Frieden, son of Charlotte and Thomas Frieden, produced four films that can be seen at www.frieden.ch and on YouTube.
Pendants from the collection Mother & Daughter.
Frieden
Obere Hauptgasse 37
3600 Thun
033 222 28 77
frieden.ch