Ethical Jewellery Australia

Australia's Premier Ethical Bespoke Jewellery Company

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How do you choose ‘the one’…

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

Even though I have been in the jewellery business for over eight years, until last Friday, I didn’t  actually have any significant jewellery.
I wore a very simple 3mm palladium band set  with six 2mm diamonds and the occasional  brooch – that was the extent of my jewellery ‘collection’.
So creating my very own ‘special ring’ has been a very big deal.… Continue Reading

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The making of a simple beauty

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

Hello again, about time for a new post.
Since the last ‘the making of’ was so popular, I thought I would offer another.
This time we have a lovely little ring and Argyle cognac diamond in a recycled platinum setting. It is bezel set and finished off with hand engraving. It really doesn’t matter how ‘simple’ a ring design is, as you will see, engraving always takes it to a new level.… Continue Reading

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The long road to ‘Graceland’

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

Hello and a very belated Happy New Year.
I started the year with intentions to be a diligent blogger but work does tend to get in the way with a business like this, so I will stop making promises and blog when I can.
Today I have a story to share. It is the story of an intensely planned engagement ring that embodies what we try to do here.… Continue Reading

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Adventures in ring making

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

We make a lot of rings.
We make a lot of rings that have common elements, so whilst the finished piece may be different, there is usually something familiar, some sort of hook, that makes the design and manufacturing process (relatively) easy.
What people may not realise is that is by coincidence rather than design. Obviously a customer is drawn to a style and will go with a company that offers that style.… Continue Reading

Posted in Blog, Fine Jewellery | 1 Comment

Good things come to those who wait

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

Hello and welcome to a short, sweet and direct post.
I could have said – here are the deadlines for the holidays, but how boring is that!
Anyway the reality is, the workshop is full for the year we can’t take any more orders – no matter how much you bribe us.
So we need to get organised for 2013 (yikes).… Continue Reading

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The limitations of hand made jewellery

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

In my opinion there is only one – finding enough hands to make the jewellery.
We are working on that, but finding the right jeweller for the job is much more difficult than you could imagine, so for now, we remain in awe of
Ferdinand and his skills on the bench and appreciative of the patience shown by our customers as they wait for their treasures.… Continue Reading

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How much is that Diamond in the window?

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

Recently a customer posed this question, it was a good one, and so I am showing it in its entirety and am then going to attempt to answer it. Of course, I will answer it according to my world view, so others may disagree, feel free to add a comment if you are so inclined.
“What exactly makes the difference between a diamond that one purchases in a chain store in big shopping centres and the like, and those sold by exclusive jewellers?… Continue Reading

Posted in Blog, Diamonds and Other Gemstones | Leave a comment

A ring is born

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

I never tire of the process of ring making.
It is always slightly magic to see a lump of metal and some sparkly gems turn into something fabulous, something that thrills the wearer to show off on their finger.
We have started photographing the process (as much as possible) and I will endeavour to create a new post whenever I have a ring ‘birth story’.… Continue Reading

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An ordinary love story

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

One of my customers recently offered to write a testimonial. This is not uncommon, however, I was unprepared for what was to come.
I am posting it as a blog article (with permission) as it is a wonderful piece about modern relationships, conscious living and the process of having rings hand made.
I will now let Cat and Julie speak in their own words:
“When my partner Julie and I decided to get married we knew we wanted it to be a celebration of our commitment to each other and a reflection of our lives together.… Continue Reading

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Why are we waiting?

Posted on by Melinda Nugent

One of the challenges of having a business that specialises in hand made jewellery  is managing time/jobs and by extension – having patience and instilling it in others.
When you have spent a lot of time, thought, effort (and money)  creating a dream ring, playing the waiting game is no fun at all, but there is no way around it; making things from scratch takes time.… Continue Reading

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