History

Hemmerle was founded in Munich in 1893 by brothers Joseph and Anton Hemmerle, by taking over a previously established goldsmith's company, Elchinger on Augustinerstrasse. Elchinger already specialized in medals and orders. The brothers renamed the goldsmith's company and brought their own unique style to the craft. In 1895, Hemmerle was appointed "Purveyor to the Court" by Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria to create and produce medals for the Royal Bavarian Court.

In 1900, Hemmerle participated in the Paris Exposition Universelle and won a coveted prize for the Bishop’s Cross in enamel and gemstones. In 1904, the brothers bought a boutique at 14 Maximillianstrasse, where it remains to this day. In 1905, the company began producing the Bavarian Maximilian Order. After World War I, Joseph and Anton’s sons, Joseph Jr. and Carl Hemmerle join the firm in 1921. In 1937, Carl took over as head of the company. Carl and his wife, Lore, renovated the boutique. Just three years later, Stefan and Franz Hemmerle take over the company. Stefan had trained as a goldsmith in Munich, France, Italy and Denmark.

In 1993, the company celebrated its one hundred year anniversary. Stefan and his wife, Sylveli, decided to incorporate contemporary art with jewelry making, while still respecting tradition. Stefan and Sylveli began incorporating precious stones with common metals and other unorthodox mediums. In 1996, the company revived a near-extinct Austrian technique of woven, knitted, precious gem beads to create jewelry. In 1998, Sylveli redesigned the interior of the boutique with assistance from Tom Postma. In 1999, a townhouse in the heart of Munich is renovated to allow for the expansion of the workshop and all jewelry is hand-crafted on site.

Christian and Yasmin Hemmerle, Stefan and Sylveli’s son and daughter-in-law, join the company in 2006.