Final sparkle
After more than 120 years as one of Namibia’s best-known jewellery businesses, Adrian & Meyer has announced that it will close its doors, bringing to an end a chapter that stretches back to the earliest years of Windhoek’s commercial development.
The company confirmed the closure in a public notice published on 12 June 2026, announcing a final clearance sale at its premises in Carl List Mall.
The roots of the business date back to 1906, when W. Meyer established a jewellery enterprise in Windhoek during an era when ox wagons still travelled the Windhoek streets. The discovery of diamonds in Namibia two years later helped position the company at the forefront of jewellery design and manufacturing in the territory.
Over the decades, the business evolved through changing ownership and generations of jewellers. The Adrian family later became involved through Adrian Jewellers, and in 2001 the Adrian and Meyer businesses were merged to form Adrian & Meyer Jewellers under the leadership of master goldsmith and diamond grader Rolf Adrian. According to the company, the merger marked “the beginning of a new chapter” and allowed the founding generation to retire.
Under Adrian’s stewardship, the firm built a reputation for bespoke jewellery, gemstone expertise, watch maintenance and the manufacture of custom-designed pieces. The company described itself as combining “over a century of crafting tradition” with contemporary jewellery design, while sourcing and showcasing Namibian gemstones alongside international brands.
In a 2024 company publication marking the launch of its new website, Adrian & Meyer reflected on its heritage, stating: “Founded in 1906 by W. Meyer, our humble beginnings on the bustling streets of Windhoek have evolved significantly through the decades.” The company added that it remained committed to “family values and artisanal quality” while embracing the future.
The closure marks the end of one of Namibia’s oldest surviving jewellery houses, a business whose history spanned the colonial era, South African administration, independence and the modern Namibian economy.
According to the notice, the final sale of gemstones, watches and jewellery will start on 25 June.
