Seven local jewellers share the favourite piece they made this year
Photography by Scott Hardy
words by Lara Daly
Hand crafted.
We might be biased, but the level of talent among Australian and New Zealand jewellers is up there with the best in the world. It’s likely due to their creative process – many local jewellers work independently, meaning they can push themselves to experiment, play with new forms or design special commissions with trusted clients.
But as every jeweller knows, some visions are easier to bring to life than others. Working with precious metals and gemstones is an inherently delicate process, one that requires patience and perseverance. After all, it’s not just a beautiful object they’re crafting but a wearable art piece that needs to last.
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So, when a technically challenging design is completed and finally able to be worn, it’s an exceptionally rewarding feeling. From sentimental pendants to playful stone settings and body-modifying chokers, seven local jewellers share a favourite piece they’ve made so far this year.
Shannen Young
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“My favourite piece of jewellery I made this year is a matching bridal lily pendant and brooch, commissioned by a lovely couple. I especially love the intertwining braided detail that wraps gently around the lily flower. It symbolises unity, romantically and harmoniously. I enjoyed designing these pieces as the form is organic and fluid, with many finer details. Looking back at them now, they have a vintage and timeless quality.”
Camille Paloma Walton
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“This ring has been my most enjoyable piece to create this year, formed through pure play. Made in silver with a bi-colour tourmaline, lab diamonds and sapphires, it captures my love for balancing colours, shapes and settings. I found a natural harmony in this Building Blocks ring, part of a series exploring the balance of traditionally masculine forms with feminine qualities expressed through gemstones and intricate settings. The result feels both structured and organic.”
Nadia Ridiandries
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“My lovely client, Nick, came to me with a special request: a custom jewellery back piece to complete his Mardi Gras outfit. The result is a versatile, multifunctional design that can transform into a belt chain, necklace, or a bag strap – the styling options are endless! We incorporated elements from his existing jewellery collection, along with my popular Flashing Lights necklace, mixing in some funky organic freshwater pearls and fine silver chains. I absolutely loved the creative process of reimagining the existing pieces into something fresh, functional and wearable in multiple ways.”
Anne-Mieke Ytsma
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“My favourite piece this year is the Honey necklace. I sourced its components from a deadstock jewellery warehouse in New York; vintage Japanese faux pearls and 1950s rhinestones. It’s a favourite because of the joy in finding lost treasures and reworking existing pieces into something new. A little romantic, a little cheeky and feels very Underground Sundae.”
Nicole Pollard
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“This year, I really wanted to challenge myself technically with a design that had been brewing in my mind. I’ve always been so inspired by Shaun Leane, the jeweller who made the most incredible metal pieces for Alexander McQueen’s runway shows. I recently read a beautiful book on him and it pushed me to create something armour-like, that would be more brutal and almost body-modifying.
The Mechanical Animal choker is 172 grams of pure sterling silver, with massive 10mm hinges. The hinges were technically something very new for me. The choker gives the illusion of a very sinched and long neck, but it also looks quite bionic due to the hinges. It was my favourite and most technical piece this year, I’m very proud of the result. Polishing it to a mirror finish was very rewarding.”
Tashji Emia
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“For this piece, the client had heirloom rubies, so I designed a ring that both feels signature to me and highlights the materials in a way that makes sense – timeless yet playful, with a regal quality (which rubies always seem to carry). It was also made as a 30th birthday gift, my favourite kind of jewellery occasion because the piece usually reflects something very true to the wearer’s character. Turning 30 feels like a real coming of age and a piece of jewellery makes that feeling tangible.”
Flora Reilly-Davis
“I made these after a long day at the bench, crafting tiny chain links. My mind and eyes were fatigued and I was deep into listening to Andy Serkis narrate The Fellowship of the Ring. I started melting scraps on my bench, completely absorbed in the flame from my torch. Before I knew it, these hoops had taken shape before me. After hours of intense, focused work, there’s something so satisfying about just melting metal and seeing what happens.
For a directory of our favourite local jewellers, head here.
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