Nikki Bergseth: Gem in jewelry business

Nikki Bergseth, one of the founders of Idar Jewellers, standing in the door of the store’s first location on Broad Street in Victoria, BC Canada. Bergseth passed away in May of 2016 at the age of 70.
Photograph: Family photo

Idar Bergseth calls his wife, Nikki, the driving force behind the commercial success of their jewelry business, a Fort Street fixture since the early 1980s.

“I couldn’t have done it on my own,” said Idar, who founded the fine jewelry store Idar Jewellers with Nikki. “I just don’t have that kind of mind.”

Idar dealt with the design and craftmanship of the business, while Nikki kept the books, oversaw advertising, organized displays, set prices and kept control of inventory.

Nikki Roberta Bergseth died at the couple’s home on Pender Island on May 27. She was 70.

Nikki was born in Vancouver and attended the University of British Columbia where she studied philosophy and religion. The couple married in 1968 and have a daughter, Lara, and a six-year-old grandson, Leif.

Idar and Lara remember Nikki’s love of books, compassion for all living things — even the odd spider — and fierce devotion to her beliefs and “sense of right.”

Idar remembers their early years of dating and marriage, when Nikki became committed to the advancement of women. She volunteered on a women’s caucus then held at Simon Fraser University.

In 1972, the two moved to Victoria and opened Idar Jewellers on Broad Street, in a tiny space less than 200 square feet. Years later, Nikki, Idar and Lara took a trip to Disneyland, which planted the idea of moving to the area. From 1978 to 1981, the family operated a jewelry business in Beverly Hills.

After returning to Victoria, the couple took over the building where Idar Jewellers now operates at 946 Fort Street, adopting a bee as a symbol. The couple kept bees in Victoria and on Pender Island.

The couple initially lived in the store, but moved to Pender Island 15 years ago. Nikki continued to monitor and direct the business from there while Idar commuted. Idar and Lara said Nikki is a big loss to the store, but the business will continue.

“She wouldn’t want us to quit,” Idar said. “She always just liked that it was doing well.”

Originally published June 19, 2016 by Richard Watts, Times Colonist