A growing list of the best independent jewellery makers in Australia and New Zealand
IMAGE VIA @CLEOPATRASBLING/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL
The local jewellery labels you need to know.
Jewellery is generally a bit of an investment. And whether you’re shelling out some serious coin on a bejewelled signet ring or commissioning a custom locket, you want to be sure that the piece you end up with is of the best possible quality.
This is because jewellery, perhaps more so than clothing, is imbued with particularly distinct memories and meaning. Maybe one day your child will own the gold chain you wear around your neck, or you’ll be reminded of a past lover each time you put on the hoops they gave you on your first anniversary.
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Whatever jewellery means to you, we’re privileged to have an abundance of talented independent jewellery makers in Australia to choose our precious metals from. Below is an ever-growing list of our favourites.
EB Jewellery
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EB Jewellery uses recycled precious metals and leftover cuttings to craft minimalist pieces, made to last. Drawing on her Kamilaroi and Dunghutti background, designer Ebony’s brand prioritises sustainability and transparency, fostering a love for the environment that is evident through her simple and fluid aesthetic.
Nadia Ridiandries
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Designer Nadia Ridiandries launched her eponymous jewellery label as the result of an experimental hobby. Each ring and necklace is formed from recycled metals and natural gemstones sourced from across the globe. The genderless brand embraces multifunctional pieces made to be worn anywhere, at any time.
Loki Patera
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Sydney-based jewellery label Loki Patera makes handcrafted, future-heirloom jewellery. With a focus on minimising its environmental impact, the brand crafts pieces from vintage, recycled and found materials, making each design all the more special. The brand is characterised by organic shapes, aquatic-inspired details and intricate metalwork.
Camille Paloma Walton
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Born to artist parents, designer Camille Paloma Watson grew up “immersed in a creative environment”. Her eponymous jewellery label is influenced by a variety of mediums, like painting, sculpture and drawing. Camille’s pieces are playful and expressive, a beautiful amalgamation of polished metals and colourful gemstones.
Grædance
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Grædance is a new genderless demi-fine jewellery brand based in Naarm. The label works with sterling silver jewellery, designing ear cuffs, rings and necklaces that have melting textures and delicate detailing. Inspired by the liminal space and the space in between, the label wants wearers to feel a sense of uniqueness when putting on its designs.
Temple of the Sun
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Working on Arakwal Country (Byron Bay), Temple of the Sun is a fine jewellery brand that pays homage to the age of antiquity and ancient luxury. Yonna Derofe is the label’s head designer, who creates solid gold and silver jewellery referencing her childhood in Istanbul. The collection is delicate and an excellent choice if you’re after something special.
Love Well
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Love Well sells a curated range of premium estate and antique jewellery. From beautiful signet rings to statement curb bracelets, Love Well sources rare pieces that make for meaningful gifts (for you or a loved one).
EF Studios
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EF Studios is a bespoke jewellery house specialising in future heirlooms with distinctive flair. Crafted by hand in Melbourne, most pieces repurpose old jewels or recycled materials and incorporate ethically sourced stones. Experimental, eccentric and memorable, EF Studio’s designs are enduring odes to the people and moments that define our lives. From the first consultation to the final reveal, every piece made is one of complete idiosyncrasy via wax casting. Once a wax mould has been cast into metal, it cannot ever be reproduced, allowing for the most poetic process of tailor-made manufacturing.
Aephotika
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If you’re into jewellery unlike anything you’ve ever seen, you’ll love Aephotika. These chunky necklaces and earrings are eccentric in appearance and material. Handmade using resin ‘goo’, every piece is one-of-a-kind. If you’re after a specific colourway or style, you can order your jewellery custom-made.
Slow Burn
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Handmade in Australia, Slow Burn jewellery is created using a ‘lost wax’ casting method (also known as an ‘investment casting’ method). This process involves making a single original metal sculpture, from which you can create ‘duplicate sculptures’ in different materials. Featuring motifs like cherries, hearts, smiley faces, flowers and stars, Slow Burn pieces make a playful statement.
Miro Miro
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Designed by Andrea Goh, Miro Miro jewellery explores elements of Goh’s Chinese heritage through embracing and finding power in rethinking her ‘otherness’. Miro Miro strives to create pieces that are timeless with a contemporary twist, many incorporating 18-karat gold, sterling silver and ethically sourced stones. Green and orange are both recurring colours in Chinese culture and the stones featured in many of the collections are a nod to these shades.
Metal and Dust
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Perth-based label Metal and Dust creates made-to-order pieces from a small home studio. Focused on minimal, timeless designs, its pieces are all made with recycled solid gold, sterling silver and ethically sourced precious stones.
Lucy Folk
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A goldsmith by trade, Sydney-based jewellery designer Lucy Folk’s aesthetic is inspired by travel, design and craftsmanship. The resulting jewellery is unconventional, artistic and colourful, but highly wearable. The brand’s pieces are timeless and sophisticated while staying true to Folk’s eccentric style.
Sacre Flux
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Sacreflux is a Melbourne-based jewellery label founded by designer Georgia Sacre. Through her designs, Georgia pays homage to the people in her life that have inspired her, namely her Nana, who was an antique jewellery collector.
Ada Hodgson
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Working out of the iconic Nicholas Building in Melbourne, jeweller Ada Hodgson creates bespoke one-of-a-kind custom jewellery inspired by gardens (of all kinds) and natural beauty. You will find a lot of her designs offer a classical meets contemporary finish and her pieces are made up of ethically and sustainably sourced materials, including recycled metals and Australian mined and cut gemstones.
Kannava Jewels
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Made with love in her Brunswick studio, Melbourne-based artist Ruby Kannava operates Kannava Jewels, a label specialising in rings. She characterises her work as ‘wearable art’ and offers both classical, timeless designs alongside more modern, contemporary styles. Each ring aims to magnify the precious stones’ natural beauty and is made with recycled gold and silver.
Eloise Falkiner
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After completing a jewellery design course in 2007, Eloise studied the medicinal qualities of botany and botanicals. Falling in love with the structures of plants, she began to draw them, which became the inspiration of her first jewellery collection, Ossicle, in 2019. Designed and created in Melbourne, the beauty of nature continues to underpin her work and her pieces utilise hand-cut stones and local, recycled materials for a minimalist but alluring finish.
By Nye
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Handmade in the heart of Melbourne, By Nye is a sustainable, contemporary Australian jewellery label founded by Nye De Marchi. Nye draws on her visual arts background and love for natural architecture to design timeless and luxurious pieces. Each one-of-a-kind piece is forged through silversmithing and lost wax casting.
Cleopatra’s Bling
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Olivia Cummings’ love of travel and time spent in Paris and the heart of Turkey led her to create Cleopatra’s Bling. Inspired by her trips around the globe, she creates ethical jewellery with wax, metals and ethically sourced stones, all while respecting the ancient jewellery-making traditions she has learnt along the way.
Onetwothreefour
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With a focus on timeless design and high-quality materials, Onetwothreefour offers a range of colourful, genderless jewellery pieces. You can choose from an array of vibrant lab-grown stones, from heart-shaped cubic zirconia (set to look like a four-leaf clover!) to Barbie-pink, emerald-cut sapphire.
Cameron Studio
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Homegrown and handmade in Melbourne Australia, Cameron Studio takes a minimal approach to jewellery creating refined and uncomplicated pieces that are both directional and timeless. Cameron Studio offers a range of men’s and unisex jewellery, known best for its signature signet rings.
Bella Clark
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With a background in fine arts, Bella Clark uses jewellery as a medium for her artistic expression. Guided by slow, mindful jewellery-making practices, Bella’s unique, heirloom-worthy designs are sustainably made in Melbourne.
Sunday Stephens
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Sydney-based fine jewellery label Sunday Stephens fuses just the right amounts of elegance and whimsy into its pieces, never taking itself too seriously. Expect vibrant gems and motifs in the shape of hearts, stars and bows, made from recycled sterling silver, quality brass and plated gold.
Seb Brown
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Since being established in 2009, Melbourne jewellery designer Seb Brown has become a mainstay both in the Australian fashion scene and abroad, loved for his classic yet distinctive signet rings and unexpected pops of colour. When crafting his bespoke pieces he ensures his studio generates as little waste as possible, with each piece being made from recycled or reclaimed silver and gold and the highest quality gemstones available.
Underground Sundae
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Underground Sundae is a jewellery brand made in Melbourne and founded on strong DIY values. The brand creates playful, unique designs that unite pop culture and high-quality materials to give your everyday jewellery a distinctive edge.
Millie Savage
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Since its creation seven years ago, Millie Savage has evolved into a brand that values high-level craftsmanship, creating designs that are iconic and stylish. With a studio and store set up in Brunswick, Melbourne, Millie works with a team to custom cut opals and precious gems sourced from Mintabie, South Australia.
Sguscio
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Sguscio is a sustainable jewellery brand based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. Influenced by biological processes, cell function, and genetics, each collection is a unique selection of handcrafted ‘biojewels’. Working from his Northcote studio, Sguscio designer Bobby handmakes his pieces using lab-synthesised gems and ethically sourced materials.
Metal Bender
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Metal Bender designer Laura believes in creating unisex, sustainable pieces with intention – or, as she aptly puts it, ‘wearable alien bling’. Handcrafted on Wurundjeri Country, Laura draws inspiration from nature and the body, always striving to move beyond the gender binary. Her pieces are beautiful, fluid and empowering, made to last a lifetime.
Tyra Paydon
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Located in Brunswick, the namesake label Tyra Paydon Jewellery pays homage to Tyra’s creative upbringing, experimenting with rainbow stones set into timeless designs. From feminine, pastel gems in fine ear threads to chunky silver signet rings, Paydon captures the different aspects of her personality in her work while celebrating the beauty of raw materials.
Jake Cheeseman
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Handmade in Melbourne, Jake Cheeseman is the super-sweet jewellery brand combining smiley faces and playful pendants. Aptly named after Jake himself, the brand is known for its 19-carat gold flower pendants, custom signet rings and – of course – cheesy grins.
Mgn
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Mgn is the otherworldly jewellery label centred around the magic glow of gemstones. Created by designer Megan in 2018, the brand is bringing fantasy back to wearable, everyday pieces; a beautiful contrast of glistening colour and ultra-polished molten silver and gold. Each piece is made-to-order in Megan’s Melbourne studio from 100 per cent recycled metal.
Pibworld
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Pib World, created by Melbourne local Bianca Pibworth, crafts one-of-a-kind, dainty pieces from a mix of beads, pearls, and unique charms. Currently offering 13 different iterations of the ‘Floating Necklace’, Pip World pieces make for the perfect gift.
Finger Candy
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Finger Candy is the ethereal creation of Melbourne-based designer Mason Tilly. Using predominately ethical lab-grown gemstones, Mason’s pieces are refreshingly fluid and reflective of his organic approach to design. Each piece is sustainably made to order using recycled sterling silver and gold.
fingercandyjewellery.bigcartel.com
Sarah & Sebastian
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Sarah & Sebastian’s pieces are inspired by both the natural world and European architecture and art. With social and environmental values being the brand’s focus, it offers ethically sourced gold and silver pieces decorated with a selection of birthstones and feminine figures.
Aletheia & Phos
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Embodying travel, energetic connection and storytelling, Melbourne-based jewellery label Aletheia & Phos handcrafts ethical pieces with intent and purpose. Greek for ‘truth and light’, Aletheia & Phos see jewellery as a unique form of storytelling. With a focus on astrology, many pieces feature the gemstones or engravings representative of various zodiac signs.
Love Isabelle
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Minimal, feminine jewellery that’s both gentle and fierce is how Love Isabelle likes to describe itself. Drawing inspiration from the art in everyday life, its pieces are sleek and elegant and made for everyday wear.
Romy.Li
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Concerned by the damage the fashion industry causes to the environment, the designer behind Romyli was determined to create pieces that align with their quest of living a more sustainable lifestyle. Ethical, lasting, and feminine, this jewellery will stay with you for the long run.
Brie Leon
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Handmade with love in Sydney, Brie Leon’s vintage-inspired accessories are made to be treasured forever. The refined and romantic designs are made from recycled materials and released in small quantities to avoid overproduction.
Cong Yu
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Jewellery designer Cong Yu’s work draws from her interest in jewellery as a sculptural form; her pieces are heavily inspired by structure and figure. Taking interest in the meditative quality of jewellery, her dreamy collection is made to last.
Jean Riley
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Crafted between her Sydney and Brisbane studios, Jean Riley’s thoughtful pieces are inspired by the bubbly outlook of her late mother and muse. Specialising in glass jewellery, you can either customise an existing piece or create your own entirely through the bespoke service. Part of profits also contributes to dementia research, adding more meaning behind every purchase.
Par Moi
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Melbourne-based label Par Moi was founded by Ashiya Omundsen in early 2019. Launching as a clothing line, Ashiya designed, drafted, cut and sewed each piece from deadstock fabric to ensure minimal waste. This ethos has carried over into her colourful jewellery designs, with the collection handmade from local materials.
Cushla Whiting
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If you are looking for the perfect engagement ring, look to family-owned jewellery label Cushla Whiting. The elegant and exquisite designs are perfected with years of strong gemstone and diamond expertise, with everything locally produced in Melbourne.
Westhill
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Is there a jewellery piece you never take off? Maybe it’s really meaningful or a high-quality, comfortable and versatile design. Australian brand Westhill makes jewellery for the latter – thoughtful and timeless designs, crafted in solid gold and sterling silver.
Daphne Huguette
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Of both Indonesian and Dutch heritage, Daphne Huguette crafts jewellery inspired by the interpretation of ancient traditions, music and tribes. Her designs have a beautifully organic, fluid feel to them, making each piece feel like it was made just for you.
SGS Jewellery
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Founded by Melbourne designer Stephanie Symington, SGS Jewelry is inspired by her background in sculpture and design. Handcrafted locally, Stephanie’s nostalgic pieces are made from sterling silver and responsibly lab-grown gemstones. Each organic design is unique and made to order.
Kick in the Eye
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Kick in the Eye jewellery is the best kind of sexy. Its distinctive deep red and purple gemstones are framed in sterling silver chains, claws and spikes. Made locally in Melbourne, each piece is crafted with high-quality materials, designed to stand the test of time.
Garage Bands
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Using the unique ‘lost-wax’ casting process, Melbourne designer Kurt crafts stunning one-off jewellery designs. Fluid, thoughtful and dynamic, each piece feels as if it was made just for you.
Krista
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Interdisciplinary artist Krista Lyle has recently expanded her ever-growing design project into the world of jewellery. Her collection Spiraling is comprised of unique sterling silver and freshwater pearl designs, available in the form of dainty necklaces, beaded earrings and handmade pendants. Spiralling is an ode to Melbourne’s many lockdowns – an experiment that blossomed into something beautiful.
Pei Yi
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Pei Yi is the eponymous label created by Hong-Kong raised, Melbourne-based designer Liz/沛儀 (Pei Yi). Liz’s collection of carefully crafted baroque pearl jewellery has captured the attention of the local fashion set. You can shop Pei Yi at Error 404, Jolie Laide, Shifting Worlds and Sucker; or direct message Liz for custom pieces.
Bush Baia
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Hailing from the north coast of Australia, Bush Baia jewels are made for earth angels, bush babies and sea dwellers. Each piece, whether it’s a hand-beaded necklace, a gold choker adorned with flowers, or sun-charm earrings exudes the rhythm and beauty of nature.
Vermeer Studio
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Vermeer Studio offers handcrafted jewellery made from a range of materials; including jade, freshwater pearl, lapis, quartz and tiger’s eye. Striking a careful balance between playful and feminine, Vermeer pieces are made for everyday wear.
Til Foley
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Til Foley jewellery is locally made on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula by Matilda Foley. Matilda’s collection is a combination of bespoke and ready to wear pieces, classically designed and made from materials like sterling silver, solid gold, gemstones, glass beads and pearls.
Surfe Placid
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A contemporary take on the early 2000s puka shell jewellery, Surfe Placid pieces are delightfully nostalgic, made from recycled materials and freshwater pearls. With each necklace and bracelet handcrafted in Naarm, every piece is totally unique.
Meadowlark
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Meadowlark is a New Zealand-based jewellery brand that values art, creativity, and connection. Meadowlark is driven to create pieces that serve as reminders of the important chapters in our lives. The brand offers an extensive collection of jewellery; versatile in colours, textures, stones and designs.
Shannen Young
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Based in New Zealand, Shanen Young creates untraditional, experimental and unique jewellery designs. Her one-of-a-kind pieces vary from chunky textured necklaces to delicate pendant earrings, all handmade in her collaborative Auckland studio.
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Want to know more about ethical and sustainable jewellery? This handy guide should do the trick.
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