Who is Martin Gear?
Martin Gear is a professional diamond setter and jewellery designer located in Dublin City Centre. He inherited his passion and talent from his parents, when at a young age he worked in the family business over weekends and school holidays. With more than a quarter of a century’s experience in the industry, Martin sharpened his talent and skills whilst training in London at the centre of the UK’s diamond trade and the world-famous jewellery quarter – Hatton Garden. His belief in personal service and value for money has led to him becoming one of Dublin’s most renowned jewellers - with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, also having visited his shop. Martin Gear Jewellers have been featured in many mainstream media articles and shows from RTÉ and TV3 (Virgin Media TV), to 2FM Radio, the Sunday Times, and the Irish Times.
Caroline and Martin Gear with the Lord Mayor of Dublin
How did it all begin?
It all began back in 1969 when Irene and Thomas Gear first opened their own jewellery display at the front of their house in Dolphin’s Barn. Jewellery had always been a passion of theirs and the small display kicked off the Gear jewellery enterprise, allowing them to then secure their very own store on Balfe Street, just off Grafton Street. Though it didn't stop there; Irene and Thomas were able to expand their store and move to several larger premises, with one of the most famous ones being at the Ilac Centre. At the time, the Ilac Centre was one of Dublin’s newest and hottest shopping venues when, out of all of Dublin’s jewellers, its management invited the Gears to move into the city centre – a place where they thrived for decades.
Thomas became somewhat of a celebrity jeweller in Ireland, appearing in many TV shows and ads, and even leading the way of what we know now as online shopping - mail order shopping - where clients from all over Ireland, and the world, would mail order their jewellery from a paperback catalogue.
Thomas became somewhat of a celebrity jeweller in Ireland, appearing in many TV shows and ads, and even leading the way of what we know now as online shopping - mail order shopping - where clients from all over Ireland, and the world, would mail order their jewellery from a paperback catalogue.