a history of the goldsmithery


volker franz sprinkmeier
master goldsmith and silversmith

  • 1942

    volker franz sprinkmeier was born the second son of a master watchmaker & goldsmith

  • 1956-60

    volker franz underwent his apprenticeship as a goldsmith

  • 1960

    volker sat the exams to become a qualified goldsmith

  • 1960-66

    volker franz embarked on his journey years travelling throughout germany working under different masters

  • 1966-67

    studied at the renown art & craft university of schwäbisch gmünd

  • 1967

    after successfully passing the final exams at the university and goldsmith guild he earned the title of matergoldsmith and designing goldsmith

  • 1967

    volker franz became self employed in bavaria and opened the goldsmithery

  • 1982

    volker franz migrated to australia with his family and set up the goldsmithery, first on unley road and then moving to glenelg

marianne sprinkmeier
goldsmith and silversmith

  • 1976

    marianne sprinkeier began working with volker franz in their workshop. since then she has developed her own unique style and started designing and crafting jewellery, gaining wide recognition. marianne participated in a variety of art exhibitions in germany and austria and has continued to do so throughout australia.

volker horst sprinkmeier
master goldsmith and silversmith

  • 1984

    volker horst started a thorough and comprehensive apprenticeship under his father and worked for his parents.

  • 1997

    volker worked for another jeweller in the city

  • 1998

    volker opened his own workshop; atelier aurum, in the old epworth building, pirie street. in his workshop he worked directly for the public, as well as for other jewellers.

  • 2005

    volker horst moved his workshop into gawler place, overlooking rundle mall.

  • 2012

    volker franz and marianne retired. 
    volker horst closed his city workshop to move back down to glenelg to continue the family business with his wife donna; a graduate of visual art at unisa. their children, like their fahter did at their age, already show a keen interest and have started tinkering at the workbench.

open hours

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sat10am to 1pm
sun/ monclosed
by appt

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