Romancing the stone: South Australia’s top jewellery designers
Nothing says I love you like a bespoke piece of jewellery. And as Anna Vlach found out, Adelaide has a few designer gems. See the list.
Lifestyle
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Planning a decent proposal, or, if solitaire’s the only game in town, maybe you want to say ‘I do’ to yourself with a right-hand ring? Here are the Adelaide jewellers who can design and manufacture your dream diamond ring or any other piece of bespoke jewellery you fancy.
ANDREW MAZZONE DESIGN JEWELLERS
Located in the heart of the city, this award-winning family owned and operated jeweller has been creating custom engagement and wedding rings for more than 60 years. The first Mazzone store at Glynde was opened by Andrew’s father Quinton, who was also a jeweller. After completing a four-year apprenticeship in the family business – which relocated to Pulteney Street, just off Rundle Mall, in the mid 1980s – Andrew went on to study a Bachelor of Jewellery Design at the University of South Australia. Re-branding as Andrew Mazzone Design Jewellers, the business now specialises in one-of-a-kind jewellery, including custom-made engagement rings. Clients can choose from natural or lab-grown diamonds, or even BYO diamond jewellery to be remodelled. And if you’re wondering what style of engagement ring is on-trend, Andrew has the answer.
“Oval is currently our most popular diamond choice with a simple design and set on a fine band,” he says. Learn more about Andrew Mazzone Design Jewellers here
BELL & BRUNT
Founded by Edgar Bell Sr in 1920, this Adelaide institution was originally a workshop specialising in repairs for jewellery retailers. Starting out as apprentices, Mr Bell’s son Edgar Bell Jr and friend William Brunt carried the business on as master repair jewellers. But when Mr Brunt’s son, Keith, joined Bell & Brunt as a 14-year old, he didn’t just want to repair rings. His vision was to make them as well, so he trained in his lunch hours and at night, until he was an expert in all styles.
“He made the decision to open to the public in the 1960s and Bell & Brunt began designing and handcrafting engagement rings, wedding bands and jewellery,” his daughter, Bell & Brunt chief executive Cheri Brunt says.
Still a family business after 102 years, the fifth-generation company is now making custom engagement and wedding rings for the great grandchildren of its original clients.
More about Bell & Brunt here.
CASSANDRA MAMONE
You may recognise her from The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, but Cassandra Mamone has also made a name for herself with her eponymous jewellery brand. Her bling has been on the red carpet, with Adelaide’s Carrie Bickmore, Jesinta Campbell, Kylie Gilles and Sam Armytage all taking a shine to it, and Aussie model Laura Heath wearing it to the Emmys.
Mamone was also the designer of choice when Power rock star Robbie Gray popped the question to his now wife Annabel in 2016 with an engagement ring he helped design.
Adorned with 2ct of diamonds, it has a pear-cut 1.5ct showstopper at its centre, highlighted by a halo of smaller ones – more of which are set into an 18ct white gold band.
More about Cassandra Mamone here
CLASS A JEWELLERS
Frank Hayter opened this Walkerville gem on Valentine’s Day in 1972. Celebrating its Golden Jubilee with the release of its 50th Anniversary Collection, the business is now proudly owned by Brad Mucklow, who has worked there since he left high school. Taking over in 1999, he has made it a family business with his sons, Sam and Ben, currently learning the trade.
Following a renovation a few years back, Class A also has a seamless transition between its workshop and retail spaces.
“Our customers can actually see the jewellers going about their daily work of designing, manufacturing, repairing and polishing,” Brad Mucklow says.
“It’s similar to going into a great restaurant and being able to watch the chefs prepare the meals.” More about Class A Jewellers here
EVERETTBROOKES
Taking its name from executive jewellers and directors David Everett and Ian Brookes, EverettBrookes holds quite a few other titles. One of Australia’s largest manufacturing jewellers, it is currently the Australian Jeweller of the Year in the International Wedding Awards, for the third consecutive year. EverettBrookes was also the inaugural national winner in the jewellery category of the Australian Wedding Awards – Brides Choice Awards, held for the first time last year. Invited to choose all aspects of the design of their ring, which can feature mined or lab-grown diamonds, clients can even have a say in its method of manufacture and get hands on. Since 2013, they have been able to hand craft their own engagement and wedding bands – under supervision.
“The customer will do the rough rolling and shaping of the metals and we get them involved in hammering, bending, filing and sawing,’ Mr Brookes says. “They’re doing every part of it, except for the very last finessing.”
More about EverettBrookes here
GERARD MCCABE JEWELLERS
Inducted into the Family Business Australia Hall of Fame last year, this local treasure has a rich history. It all began in 1878 when Patrick McCabe opened a tailor shop in Hindley Street. To cut a long, but fascinating story (which you can read about on the link below), short, Gerard McCabe Jewellers is a fourth-generation family business which has won international and national awards for its designs. Founded in 1986 by Gerard McCabe and his wife Pauline, it now has two of their four children – Jessica and Justin – at the helm, and boutiques in Adelaide Arcade and Rundle Mall Plaza.
With Justin overseeing the company’s design vision, Gerard McCabe Jewellers has an in-house design team and bespoke service; its design director Nazanin Mohammadkhani can meet with you in-person or over Zoom.
Gerard McCabe Jewellers can also help you choose a special something to pop the question with before that dream engagement ring is created. Just take your pick from its exclusive collections, such as Bloom and Aura, or its antique and vintage ring selection.
More about Gerard McCabe Jewellers here
JAMES THREDGOLD JEWELLER
It’s 25 years since James Thredgold opened his first Norwood boutique, and not long after that he was invited to become an Argyle Pink Diamond Select Atelier. Thredgold, who has been in the jewellery industry for 30 years, is also a Member of the Diamond Guild of Australia.
Famous for creating jewellery featuring the very rare Australian Argyle pink diamonds and other rare and exotic coloured diamonds and gemstones, James Thredgold Jeweller also offers a custom design service; With the guidance of Thredgold and his team of designers and artisan jewellers, clients can have unique jewellery – including engagement and wedding rings – created to express their individuality. James Thredgold Jeweller, which is still at Norwood on The Parade, is also a selected stockist of Kailis Australian South Sea Pearls, Gucci and Tag Heuer timepieces. They all make perfect keepsakes for brides and grooms to present to one another on their big day during the traditional gift exchange.
More about James Thredgold Jeweller here
JEFF TIMS MANUFACTURING JEWELLER
A specialist in restoring antique jewellery and recreating heirlooms, Jeff Tims’s career began in 1973 as an apprentice at Wendts Jewellers. An icon of the industry, Wendts provided him with a training ground like no other because it employed many masters of the trade, each with 40-plus years’ under their jewellery tool belts. After completing his apprenticeship, Tims set up his own workshop doing trade work for a number of Adelaide’s leading jewellers, before starting his retail manufacturing business in 1979. Tims, who hand-picks the diamonds he works with from Australian and overseas suppliers, has also made a name for himself working on unique projects, such as the original Showdown Trophy.
A past winner of the Jewellers Association of Australia National Design Award, Tims is looking forward to celebrating 50 years in the industry in 2023.
More about Jeff Tims Manufacturing Jeweller here
JW JEWELLERY
Paolo Sebastian founder Paul Vasileff is a perfectionist when it comes to creating his world-famous gowns, which have been worn by the rich and famous, namely, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian and Heidi Klum – along with Adelaide brides with exquisite taste. So nothing but the very best would do when he proposed to his now fiancee Anna Frangiosa in October.
Knowing her preference for a classic style, Adelaide’s king of couture presented her with a 1.01 carat solitaire diamond engagement ring custom made by JW Jewellery. A small private manufacturing jeweller - it is one of Adelaide’s hidden gems.
More about JW Jewellery here
PIKE JEWELLERS
The jewel in the crown of Highgate Village at Myrtle Bank, PIKE Jewellers is celebrating its Golden Jubilee. Founded by jeweller Nicholas Pike and his wife Helen in 1972, the award-winning business is truly a family affair. Their son Matthew is also a jeweller, and daughter Lou looks after the advertising, website, social media and more. Specialising in creating wearable works of art, PIKE Jewellers create exclusive in-house collections and design and custom manufacture necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings – including wedding bands and engagement rings.
After meeting with clients desiring one-off pieces, Nicholas sketches each original design, which is then brought to life by Matthew. As a special touch, clients are welcome to pop in and view their commissioned piece while it is a work-in-progress, to ensure it is exactly as they imagined it would be when it’s finished.
While handcrafted engagement rings are a specialty, jewellery – including precious family heirlooms – can also be given a new look, thanks to remodelling.
More about Pike Jewellers here.
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