Our history

Ourivesaria Santos is the oldest establishment in this sector in the city of Braga.


It is not possible to determine the exact date when the business began, but recent research carried out by the City Council and the Braga Business Association (formerly the Commercial Association) confirms that, in 1880, gold pieces were already being manufactured and sold in this location in the historic centre - specifically, at Largo do Barão de S. Martinho, no. 27, next to Brasileira, the Castle building and the entrance to Rua do Souto. For this reason, in 2018 it was one of the first establishments to receive the “Shops with History” diploma, awarded by the Municipality and the Braga Business Association.


In 1904, the famous Crown of Our Lady of Sameiro was designed and manufactured here, a piece of jewellery that the Confraternity keeps in the vaults of the Bank of Portugal, given its extremely high heritage value.
In 1925, the management of this commercial house changed hands and name, becoming Ourivesaria Santos, a name it still bears today, remaining in the possession of the same family.


It was the craftsman and goldsmith Joaquim António do Santos, from Porto, who took over the management of the store which, later, after his death, would pass to his two sons.

With almost a century of management in the same family, Ourivesaria Santos sells gold and silver jewelry, maintaining a strong focus on traditional and regional products, namely Portuguese filigree.
Furthermore, for decades, it was a meeting point for several generations of Braga residents, given the diverse and deep relationships of friendship and coexistence fostered by its managers.


The founder's grandson, in partnership with his wife and daughters, they continued the legacy left by their predecessors. The "new blood" of the 4th generation seeks to reconcile the past with the present and the future, investing in the digital world, bringing generations together and creating new stories.

For all these reasons, at Ourivesaria Santos, History tells a series of stories about our Braga.

Joaquim A. Santos Goldsmiths and Jewellers, 1925
 

OUR VALUES

TRADITION AND GENERATION

We have been valuing Portuguese goldsmithing since 1925, a true tradition that has spanned generations. Keeping the spirit and presence of our ancestors alive is something that fills us with pride and gives us great pleasure.

UNION AND FAMILY

We are the 4th generation of a group of serious , hard-working and visionary people. We want to honor this commitment and continue to convey to our customers trust, seriousness, quality and a sense of belonging to something family that means a lot to us.

MADE IN PORTUGAL

All of our pieces are created by local goldsmiths and artisans with extensive experience, who reflect their dedication, love and respect for their work. Most of the pieces are produced in the gold capitals of Portugal, namely Póvoa de Lanhoso and Gondomar.

TRADITIONAL JEWELLERY

The art of filigree is, without a doubt, something ancient and beautiful, and it defines us as a brand. Our identity is based precisely on our commitment to timeless products. It is curious how some pieces have the power to revive memories of the past, which we associate with special people in our lives.

TIMELESS DESIGN

We recover older and more traditional jewelry and models in combination with more modern and contemporary pieces.