The best local jewellery designers in Melbourne

Blackstone Bespoke is the brainchild of jeweller Julian Polglase and his partner Alejandra Barrantes, and the brand encompasses a regular range and a premium one-of-a-kind range. Overall, the two collections manage to toe the line between everyday jewellery and pieces strong enough to work as statement jewellery for holidays and nights out. Think silver pendants reminiscent of wax seals and etched with rustic designs, oxidised metal made to look like striking pieces of onyx and rings for every finger. 

Sydney-based jewellery practice Sarah and Sebastian opened its second Victorian location in the Crossley Street laneway, so those in the CBD don't have to travel to Armadale to get the latest in luxe pieces. The designs are inspired by the natural world and European architecture, and the range features a lot of delicate bracelets, necklaces and rings that are perfect for layering. You can also get your ears pieced here with the brand's 'Ear Alchemy' experience, where staff will help determine the best place for some new bling based on your ear's individual anatomy. 

When founder Chi Mai realised that many retailers were creating fashion, costume and plated jewellery that was not made to last, she felt frustrated and started conducting research on how to craft jewellery that was long-lasting but also affordable. She opened the first S-kin Studio Jewelry store in Bulleen in 2020, but high demand quickly showed that the brand needed a bigger space. This Richmond location offers all of the popular and beloved 14k gold-filled, solid gold and sterling silver pieces from the S-kin line as well as bestsellers like the Zodiac collection. Private wedding consultations for brides-to-be and their bridal parties are also available, with Champagne and snacks provided. You'll also be able to shop small Australian brands that match S-kin's ethical and sustainable ethos, including Musings and the Moon, Hunter Gather Apothecary and more. 

Founder and designer Kari Layton views jewellery as something that should be complementary to the human form. That's why the pieces you'll find by Lott Studio are simple to the eye and designed for everyday wear. Based in Abbotsford, this studio specialises in hoop and stud earrings, metallic pendant necklaces and irregular bangle bracelets. If you're after something in particular, the studio also offers a bespoke jewellery service.

Best for: simple metallic jewellery

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Lott Studio website.

Alicia Millan founded her Collingwood-based independent jewellery brand Aletheia and Phos in 2014 to craft sustainable fine jewellery. If you're a big fan of checking your horoscope, many of the pieces are based on constellations and zodiac signs. You'll find simple constellation stud earrings and pendant necklaces stamped with zodiac symbols. If astrology isn't really your thing, there are also hand-made friendship bracelets with metallic anatomically correct hearts and rings set with opals, topaz and moonstones. 

Best for: zodiac and constellation-themed jewellery

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Aletheia and Phos website.

This jewellery shop, which is located in the historic art deco Century Building in the CBD, specialises in crafting pieces using Australian sapphires and salt and pepper diamonds. Salt and pepper diamonds are considered the flawed and imperfect relative of standard clear diamonds, but these qualities make for interesting, dark and moody pieces. If you have a dream ring in mind, Corky also offers a custom jewellery service. 

Best for: dainty rings and rough-hewn necklaces made from opals, sapphires or salt and pepper diamonds

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Corky Saint Clair website. If you're after custom jewellery, the shop is offering phone consultations during lockdown.

If you love wearing bright and colourful outfits, pick up a piece of jewellery from designer Emily Green. All of the quirky, geometric and multi-coloured pieces are designed and individually handmade by Emily and her team in her Preston studio. Her range of polymer clay rainbow necklaces are perfect gifts for everyone from your little sister to your Mum’s best friend. 

Best for: bright and colourful pieces, bold patterns

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Emily Green website.

Julia describes her work as ‘peacefully dark’, and many of her pieces explore mortality in an experimental manner. You'll find rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets designed to look like bones, skulls and wilting roses. On top of being a jeweller, Julia is also a famed taxidermist and sometimes her pieces include materials like hair, bones and taxidermied animals that died of natural causes. 

Best for: gothic and dark pieces

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Julia deVille website.

Clea Garrick launched Limedrop in 2006 after finishing her degree in fashion design at Queensland University of Technology. Since then, the brand has established itself as a leading Australian jeweller known for playful earrings and necklaces made from glass beads and sustainably grown rosewood and cherrywood. Every piece is handcrafted in the Melbourne studio, and you can also request custom sizes. 

Best for: fun and playful floral earrings and necklaces

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Limedrop website.

When you think of friendship jewellery, you probably think of those classic necklaces that are two halves of a heart. While cute, those pieces are pretty childlike, and if you're an adult who wants to show off your friendship with a loved one perhaps you're after something a bit more mature. Lucy Folk specialises in playful and ornate macrame friendship bracelets with plated metals. They look like a far more sophisticated version of those string bracelets you might have made at summer camp. You can also shop for earrings, necklaces and rings.

Best for: friendship bracelets and birthstone earrings

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Lucy Folk Jewellery website.

One item in particular of Perks and Mini’s is synonymous with Melbourne style, and that would be the Fang Necklace. These were around long before the Twilight explosion and have been re-released in limited numbers time and time again. They come in gold and silver and have become something of a collector’s item. 

Best for: contemporary statement pieces

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Perks and Mini website.

Seb Brown founded his Melbourne studio in 2009, and he has been making handcrafted unisex jewellery made from recycled and reclaimed silver and gold since. When gemstones are used, they are always conflict-free. Shop Neapolitan rings and serpentine necklaces, or if you have something particular in mind the studio offers a bespoke jewellery service. 

Best for: Neapolitan rings, serpentine earrings and necklaces

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Seb Brown website. If you're after the custom jewellery service, consults are being done via email during lockdown.

Victoria Mason’s jewellery champions the mundane; everyday household items are shrunk down and recreated as pendants or earrings. Some of her pieces are shaped like cameras, slices of citrus, envelopes, books and ears of corn. If you love jewellery that's on the simpler side of things, you won't find any over-the-top or gaudy pieces here. Instead, you'll find rings that are perfect for everyday wear, simple stud and half-hoop earrings and pearl drop necklaces.

Best for: simple jewellery, pieces featuring household objects

Delivery: Yes! You can place an order for delivery through the Victoria Mason website.