About Bardins
Our rich history
A short history of Bardins Jewellers.
1903
Bardins opens its doors in Mossel Bay
Mr Bardin was a Russian immigrant who opened the first gift shop in Mossel Bay.
1950's
Jewellery as main focus
Mr Bonthuys bought the gift shop from Mr Bardin’s daughter for his wife, Mrs Cornelia Susan Bonthuys.
Mrs Bonthuys had the foresight to change it from a gift shop to a jewellery store. She moved the shop from its original premises in Cuff Street to the Marsh Street in the late 1960’s.
1973
Next generation
Mrs Bonthuys’ oldest daughter Sue (Susanna) Bonthuys joined her in the company.
1979
Expansion to George
Mrs Bonthuys youngest daughter Marie Bonthuys opened their first branch in George, in Hibernia Street.
1980
Michael Furness joins
Sue Bonthuys married Michael Furness, who joined the company not long after. They had their only son, Mark Furness, in 1983.
1990
Further expansion in Mossel Bay
The Furness family opened a small shop in the Mosselbaai Mall, now known as the Heiderand Mall.
2006
Mark-E Jewellers opens
They closed the George branch, and opened up Mark-E in Langeberg Mall, which is run by Sue and Michael Furness’ son, Mark Furness.
2010
Brand new premises
Bardins Jewellery moved their main store from Marsh street to their new premises in the Heiderand Mall.
Mrs Bonthuys, who was the matriarch of Bardins, passed away in 2013 and left her legacy in her daughter, Sue’s, hands. They have both strived to make Bardins the household name it is in Mossel Bay, and kept the Bardins legacy going. In 2019, Mrs Sue Furness passed away, and was joined by her husband Michael Furness in 2021. They left their son Mark Furness, and sister Marie Fransess to keep the Bardins name going.
2022
The Legacy Continues
Mark Furness’ wife, Giovanna, joined the family business in the hope to keep it going for the 4th generation for their two children, Michael and Olivia Furness.
