A few words
About Laing & Co
Six Generations of Craftsmanship
Laing & Co brings more than 40 years of jewellery, engraving and craftsmanship experience to New Plymouth — but this is a story that started long before that.
Janet Laing is a sixth-generation jeweller, tracing her family’s trade back over 150 years to her ancestor Henry Laing, a seal designer and engraver in Fifeshire, Scotland. Engraving isn’t just Janet’s profession — it’s a craft that’s been passed down through her family for generations.
About the founder
Janet's Story
Janet’s journey began in 1982 with a four-year apprenticeship in Jewellery Manufacturing, continuing the family tradition of fine craftsmanship. After completing her apprenticeship, she spent 15 months working with a leading Auckland city jeweller, designing new pieces and carrying out jewellery repairs.
From 1987 to 2001, Janet owned and operated a successful landmark retail jewellery and trophy engraving business, gaining extensive experience across jewellery, engraving, customer service and the supply of trophies and awards.
In 2002, Janet started again from scratch, establishing her own home-based engraving studio. Over the years that followed, she combined traditional engraving machinery with specialist computerised engraving and, later, laser technology — always keeping pace with the craft while holding on to the precision and care of traditional methods.
Among the many pieces Janet has had the privilege of engraving is the Louis Vuitton Cup, commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron ahead of the America’s Cup challenge for Emirates Team New Zealand — a reminder of the trust placed in her work over the years.
A New Chapter in New Plymouth
2026 marks a new chapter for Janet — a new city, and a new business model. Laing & Co brings her decades of experience to New Plymouth, with a focus on:
- Custom jewellery and watch engraving
- Academic, sports and activity medals
- Replica service medals — including mounting, refurbishment and restoration
Janet is also introducing a specialist Replica Service Medal, Mounting and Refurbishing service, giving customers throughout Taranaki the opportunity to have service medals professionally mounted, refurbished and presented with the care and attention they deserve — a service not currently offered elsewhere in the region.
Our Promise
With more than four decades of industry experience, Janet’s focus remains on quality workmanship, precision, attention to detail and personal service. Every piece that comes through Laing & Co is treated with the same craftsmanship and respect for tradition that has defined her family’s work for six generations.
Whether you’re bringing in a treasured piece of jewellery for engraving, commissioning a replica of a family member’s service medals, or ordering academic and sports medals for your club or school, you can trust Laing & Co to bring the same quality, care and expertise that has guided this family trade for over 150 years.