“Personalised solutions for naked fingers”: Meet Melbourne jewellery label Nine and a Quarter
photography by Ashley Juliet
AS TOLD TO DAISY HENRY
“Diving into the unknown is super exciting to me.”
At first, Jimmy O’Connor began designing jewellery for himself, creating pieces he wanted to wear. It was Covid, he says, that brought out his “entrepreneurial side”, leading him to create his own label. “I felt like I had to figure out how to make my creative outlet self-sufficient. That’s when the idea of turning this into something bigger clicked,” he explains.
Since its inception in 2022, Nine and a Quarter has emerged as an independent jewellery label with a strong focus on craftsmanship, creating pieces imbued with meaning. Working out of his Warrandyte workshop, Jimmy handmakes each piece, offering bespoke and custom-made rings, bracelets, necklaces and artwork.
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One of Jimmy’s favourite parts of starting Nine and a Quarter has been creating special, custom-made orders. “Engagement rings, of course, are right up there but it’s also the tribute pieces that hit differently, like rings made in memory of someone who’s passed or capturing memories and turning them into heirloom-worthy pieces,” he tells me.
Working predominantly with solid gold and 925 sterling silver, Jimmy takes inspiration from bold, Ed Hardy-themed imagery like skulls and roses, as well as nostalgic, nautical Sailor Jerry designs when dreaming up his graphics. Every item is playful, meaningful and made to order, featuring the initials of the wearer inscribed in the band.
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Fashion Journal: Hi Jimmy! Tell us about your fashion background.
Jimmy: I’m the owner and creator of Nine and a Quarter. We are a Melbourne based jewellery brand that specialises in making custom pieces such as rings, bracelets and necklaces. All jewellery is handmade out of 925 sterling silver or solid gold in our Warrandyte Workshop and shipped worldwide.
As far as my fashion experience goes I’ve been levelling up people’s jewellery game now since 2022 and plan on doing it for years to come.
Tell me a little bit about the process and the challenges of building Nine and a Quarter.
The label ultimately started after I kept seeing fresh people rocking rings. I got into making jewellery after spotting cool people wearing cool pieces and, if I’m honest, probably because Jax Teller on Sons of Anarchy looked sick riding Harleys with fists full of rings. I wanted to rep that steez for myself.
At first, it was just about making something I wanted to wear. I didn’t even think about making it a business until later in the piece. Covid and online schooling kind of forced the entrepreneurial side of it. I wasn’t into online school, let alone online uni, so I felt like I had to figure out how to make my creative outlet self-sufficient. That’s when the idea of turning this into something bigger clicked.
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What’s the significance of the label’s name? Tell us the story of how you first came up with it.
Nine and a Quarter comes from sterling silvers code being 925, I’m a big numbers man and so the Nine represents the number and the “and a Quarter” represents 25 with that being a quarter of a hundred.
I like the fact that people are often intrigued by the name as to what it means but this has also been challenging as a lot of people mistake if for a Harry Potter reference which is quite damaging to the street cred.
How has your brand evolved and what are you trying to achieve now?
From the beginning, I just wanted to create something cool. Growing up around Juddy Roller Studios in Fitzroy, I was always surrounded by art. Seeing artists express their visions and share them with the world left a lasting impression on me. That energy stuck and I knew I wanted to create something that reflected my own vision – something that felt true to me.
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That creative drive naturally evolved into jewellery, first for myself, then for others. The nine-ball branding came out of that process as a natural byproduct. Nine and a Quarter communicates creativity, individuality and sentiment. It’s all about expressing something real, whether that’s a personal story, a memory, or just a vibe that feels true to you. The pieces aren’t just jewellery, they’re about creating something that means something.
Whether it’s a custom engagement ring, a tribute piece, or just something you found that’s uniquely yours, the brand’s about wearing something that carries weight. It’s about freedom, passion and the connection between what you create and what it represents. Everything I make is meant to last, not just physically but in the memories and moments it holds.
How would you describe Nine and a Quarter to someone who’s never seen it before?
Nine and a Quarter is all about creativity, freedom and individuality. With our custom work, the beauty lies in the fact that it can be whatever you envision, anything you can dream up, we can bring to life.
At its core, the brand represents sentiment, love and passion. It’s not just about the jewellery, it’s about creating something deeply personal and meaningful that tells a story.
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What are you most proud of in your work so far?
Being able to create something truly special and sentimental for someone is definitely what I’m most proud of. Engagement rings, of course, are right up there but it’s also the tribute pieces that hit differently, like rings made in memory of someone who’s passed or capturing memories and turning them into heirloom-worthy pieces.
The idea these pieces could last for generations, passed down and still kicking around long after I’m gone, is dope. It’s wild to think that something I made might be worn by someone from the future, that’s Marty McFly-type shit.
I’m also really proud of how my style translates across different mediums. While I started with jewellery, I’ve been connecting those same design elements to art and clothing. The nine-ball has this bold, distinctive flavour that ties it all together, whether it’s on a ring, a canvas or a T-shirt.
What do you wish you knew when you started?
Aside from investing in a ton of Bitcoin, one of the biggest things I wish I knew was how to manage the pressure I put on myself to create something “good enough.” I used to get in my own head a lot, doubting whether what I was making would measure up and to be honest, I still do sometimes.
The key has been learning to trust the process and back my work. Creativity isn’t always smooth sailing but smooth seas never made a skilled sailor…. and I want the skills. Having faith in what I’m doing and letting the work speak for itself has been a game-changer.
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Who do you think is most exciting in Australian and New Zealand fashion right now?
All Angels are Aliens, Observe and Push Pull.
What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
Improved sustainability is key. There’s already momentum in this space, like the Australian Fashion Council’s Sustainability Roadmap, which aims to make Aussie fashion 100% circular by 2030. A fantastic goal in theory but to actually achieve it, there needs to be a cultural shift in how people view their wardrobes and personal style.
It’s not just about brands doing better, it’s about consumers ditching the one-wear, fast-fashion mindset that TikTok trends glorify. If we don’t change, we’ll just keep seeing more than four million GSM puff-print hoodies slapped with the first random thought someone has. And that’s not fashion, that’s landfill.
Innovation in upcycling and waste reduction is crucial. There’s already so much fresh fashion out there, you’ve just got to look for it. If you want to elevate your style, hit up the op shop, the markets, the vintage stores or even your grandparents’ wardrobe.
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Who are your dream collaborators?
Creating collections in collaboration with other artists has been something I’ve been working on for a while. Some Aussie artists I’d love to work with would be Filthy Ratbag, Fin George, Silk Cartwright and Flea Market (Cody Weightman). What interests me about these guys is the difference in all their styles and mediums and being able to create jewellery that will draw inspiration from elements of each artist in turn connecting a whole range of mediums from pottery to paintings to lamp shades through a piece of jewellery.
A lot of my work takes inspiration from traditional tattoo art, Ed Hardy and sailor jerry style. I’ve already worked with some super sick Melbourne-based artists like Syd Farey, Okey Poke and Tat2cu to create some collaborative works like flash sheets and jewellery collections.
Brands that I would dream of working with would be Billabong, Rip Curl or Quicksilver where I would cook up something that throws it back to that Bra Boy, Andy Irons boardie era – something like those real hectic graphics with blasted gangster font screen print graphics over a tartan pattern. Drawing inspiration from that would make for a really unique and fresh collab.
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Who is in your wardrobe right now?
A lot of op shop gear. Walking through an oppo and diving into the unknown is super exciting to me. The thrill of finding something no one else has is unreal and I love sifting through what’s often a pile of crap to uncover a hidden gem. There’s something about that hunt, that filter-through-the-chaos feeling, that just gets me.
Recent pickups of notability include a super fresh-washed blue Frenchcore workwear jacket, a Chael Sonnen vs Anderson Silva UFC 148 T-shirt, Andy Irons boardies and this Camo diesel cap with old military graphics – it could be the sickest lid I’ve ever seen.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
Hit our website for all ring orders, message us on the ‘gram or email us at 9andaquarter@gmail.com for anything else you want to know. Also, we’re in-store at Market755 in Camberwell.
Find more from Nine and a Quarter here.
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