Jeweller Sydney Australia: Designer Jeweller Sydney Australia

In 2008 I spent a considerable amount of time and effort ensuring that I was continuing to secure the optimum combination of quality and value from my diamond suppliers in Antwerp for my clients and I am pleased to say that this looks to have paid off.

My Expanded Team
The increased workload means that I have had to expand my team here in the studio to ensure that we can continue to deliver the quality of product and service that you have come to expect.
My in-house jeweller Colin O’Donnell has been with me now for two and a half years. He first started his apprenticeship 40 years ago and worked as a sub contractor to a number of top end Sydney jewellers before joining me in 2007.

Emma Tomlinson, who had been working with me part time, is now employed full time. Originally from Cheshire in the north of England she arrived in Sydney in January. With 12 years retail experience, including four years with a retail jeweller, and a BA (Honours) degree in 3D Design Silversmithing and Jewellery 1st., Emma is a very valuable addition to the team and will focus on design and manufacturing. My PA of two years Kia Taylor has long had an interest in gemstones. She previously worked as a graphic designer and a project and account manager in the IT industry. You will be well aware that IT knowledge is essential in today’s business environment, particularly with the development of things such as CAD-CAM imaging which we now use as an aid to jewellery design and manufacture.

We are currently in the process of making some changes and additions to the studio including an increase in desk space and more jewellers’ workbenches that will allow for further expansion in the future. I will update you on these improvements in a forthcoming newsletter.

Lisa McCune at the Logies
Working with my good friend Rosemary Armstrong from the Sydney fashion house Tea Rose, I was delighted to provide jewellery to the actor Lisa McCune from Sea Change and Blue Heelers for the recent Logies Awards night in Melbourne.

Lisa wore a silk chiffon overlay with beading front and back, over a silk taffeta slip from Tea Rose, accessorised with a pair of my South Sea pearl drop earrings with white gold wedges featuring bead set diamonds, and a pave set diamond “wave” ring. I have had a long association with Rosemary and her company and thought you would be interested in looking at some of the beautiful clothes featured on her new website.

Just click on www.tearose.com.au

Increased Interest in Coloured Diamonds
The recent news that an international tender for a number of rare Argyle blue diamonds had been hugely successful confirms a view that I have held for some time. Namely that there is a growing interest in, and demand for, coloured diamonds in both bridal, and fashion jewellery. Coloured diamonds are also increasingly being seen on stars and personalities, and in the media, perhaps because they are considered to be unique, and a break from the more traditional white diamond.

For some they represent the opportunity to make an individual statement, whilst others see them as an attractive investment as supplies decrease and demand continues to grow. Currently only one in every 10,000 diamonds mined is a coloured diamond, and it is expected that this number will only decrease as time goes on. Personally I think coloured diamonds work extremely well in combination with white diamonds, and many people seem to agree.

This engagement and wedding ring set featuring both pink and white diamonds continues to be one of my most popular designs.I have really excellent sources of coloured diamonds in both Europe and Australia, and if you are considering purchasing a coloured diamond piece at any time please let me know.

Meriton Sydney Invitational ProAm Golf Tournament
This annual charity golf tournament, which partners professional players with three- player corporate teams, was played at four leading Sydney courses including Terrey Hills and New South Wales in March. Proceeds raised from the tournament went to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to donate an auction prize of a diamond pendant for the auction held at the Gala Presentation Dinner.

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Please feel free to forward this newsletter on to friends, relations or work colleagues who you think would be interested in reading it. They are of course also most welcome to register on line by visiting my home page at www.billhicksjewellery.com.au to ensure that they receive future newsletters direct.