Ave Maria Jewellery

Ave Maria Jewellery is a family jeweller on St Lucia's Street in Valletta, a few minutes from the capital's main sights. It specialises in gold and silver, with a strong line in Maltese crosses, antique pieces and traditional filigree, and it is a pleasant place to look for a gift to take back to the UK.

The shop is listed in our directories of jewellery shops in Malta and gift shops in Malta, which suits its mix of fine jewellery and smaller presents.

A family business founded in 1984

Ave Maria was established in 1984 by Joseph Gatt, who discovered his passion as a goldsmith in local workshops and then studied further in Australia, where he lived and worked for two years. On his return he opened a workshop in Floriana, brought new techniques to his craft and soon supplied many local businesses.

In 1984 he opened his own shop on Valletta's Gold Street, which was a challenge and the start of the brand. It is now a second generation family business that aims to give a personal experience, whether you are marking a special occasion or choosing a present for a friend.

Gold, silver, Maltese and antique pieces

The gold collection runs from 9ct to 24ct, and the silver is sterling silver .925. The shop also arranges its stock into diamond, antique, Maltese and giftware collections, with a gemstone choice that includes sapphires, amethysts, opals, cameos, pearls and tanzanite.

Prices are printed online. Examples include Maltese cross diamond cut earrings at €57.00, a white gold Valentino solitaire at €124.00, a classic yellow gold trilogy at €182.00, a Figaro gold necklace at €495.00 and an 18kt rose gold set at €935.00. The online catalogue holds 418 items in all, with 225 in gold, 189 in silver and 24 in giftware, and it can be filtered by gemstone, by gender and by price, which makes it easy to browse before you arrive. Antique pieces include cameo and filigree brooches, portrait earrings and hand carved bangles.

Giftware, engravings and repairs

Giftware covers gold and silver cufflinks, onyx cufflinks, Maltese cross cufflinks, money clips and watch fobs, which suit a groom's gift or a keepsake for someone at home. A name pendant service is also shown, in 18kt gold.

The shop makes custom items and offers engravings and repairs, and it has its own pages for delivery and returns and for product care, so you can check how a purchase would reach you in the UK before you buy. Jewellery that suits the occasion is easy to find, from solitaire engagement rings in yellow and white gold to pearl pendants, amethyst earrings and amber bracelets. If you cannot find what you want, the site invites you to get in touch and says the team is happy to help.

Visiting Valletta

Valletta was built in 1565 by the Knights of Malta and is a UNESCO World Heritage city, so a visit to the shop pairs naturally with sightseeing. The capital is rich in history and architecture, and a trip to Malta feels incomplete without a walk through it, perhaps with a stop to choose a small piece of gold or silver as a reminder of the day. Leave time to look through the cases and ask about anything that catches your eye. Our Valletta guide lays out a route, and the nearby St John's Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens are both within walking distance. The Knights of Malta guide explains who built the city.

To plan your stay, see hotels in Valletta and where to stay in Malta, and compare flights to Malta. Our page on things to do in Malta has more ideas. When you are ready, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the business.