ADVA PUNIN & TAL MANNING | MEZI|

Dunaway Cuff Bracelet with Crystal Flower
and Box Chain

With a kinetic nightlife, nature park tours and unusual cuisine Darwin, Australia has something for everyone.

Australia is also home to featured jewelry design team Adva Punin and Tal Manning.

LARISSA LANDINEZ

Sterling Silver and Oxidized Silver
Cuttlefish Bangle Bracelet

Located in the Venezuelan state of Sucre, the town of Cumana is rich with historical architecture that includes 17^th and 18^th century buildings.  Venezuela is also the ancestral home of featured jewelry designer Larissa Landinez.

CAT HAMMILL JEWELLERY

Yellow Gold Heritage Love
Bracelet Set

A trip to Australia would be incomplete without a visit to Surfer’s Paradise. 

Located along the Gold Coast in the State of Queensland this bustling area has plenty to offer the beach bum that includes jet skiing, fishing and of course surfing, wake-boarding and body surfing.  Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Cat Hammill.

YUKO FUJITA

Wood & Shell Lost World & Memory Reading
Pendant Necklaces

The lush beauty of Japan’s Heian Shrine Garden is an amazing place of landscaping and natural beauty. 

Divided into four sub-gardens that face south, west, middle and east each garden hosts tranquil ponds and floral arrangements of cherry blossoms, bush clover and irises.  Japan is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Yuko Fujita.

RAY GRIFFITHS FINE JEWELRY

18K Gold Crownwork Signet Rings with Sapphires,
Emeralds and Colorless Diamonds

Australia’s boisterous city Brisbane is a haven of commercial complexes, night spots and shopping centers.

Located in the Queensland state the city is also known for its natural splendors including the Lone Pine Koalo Sanctuary, the Portside Wharf, and the Brisbane Forest Park.

Australia is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Ray Griffiths.

SIMONE WALSH

Sterling Silver Japanese Etched Leaves &
Flowers Pendant Necklace with Natural Silk Cord

Although home to a number of unique animal species, including the emu and dingo, the arid Australian Outback is otherwise sparsely populated but is a big tourist draw.

Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Simone Walsh.

JULIE WEE | MISS WEE JEWELLERY

Model is Wearing Sterling Silver Tough Linkage Necklace,
Triangled and Gently Squared Rings

Located in the Lunan Yi Autonomous County of China is a remarkable natural wonder of pointed karst formations known as the Chinese Stone Forest.  

These rock formations stand a little over 100 feet and are over 600 years old.  China is also the ancestral home to Julie Wee.

KYOKO HASHIMOTO STUDIO

Acrylic and Sterling Silver Bibi Ring from
Prototype Collection

Located in Japan’s Prefecture of Nara stands the Buddhist Horyuji Temple.  Within its storied walls are monks’ quarters, dining and lecture halls, and sculptures.  Japan is also the birthplace of Kyoko Hashimoto.

PLANETTREASURES

Bright Green Lampwork Bead Bracelet

The Australian Outback is perhaps one of the more intimidating areas of the rugged continent Australia. 

One of the most arid regions in the world, the Outback is surprisingly the habitat of such creatures as the dingo, wild camels and kangaroos.  

Australia is also the home base of featured jewelry brand Planettreasures.

LIZ BRIGGS DESIGNS

One of the best times to explore Australia’s Kings Canyon National Park is during the month of April as cooler temperatures offset the sun’s penetrating rays.

With a landscape filled with plenty of deep red colored cliffs, canyons and gorges the park is great for walking and hiking. Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Liz Briggs.

ELENA ADAMS DESIGNS

Aboriginal rock paintings, beautiful waterfalls, and sprawling landscapes are just a few of the sights you will find at Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Australia is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Elena Adams.

JULIA DENES

What better way to view some of Australia’s gorgeous scenery than while driving along The Great Ocean Road located in the state of Victoria. Built to honor soldiers who lost their lives in World War I, the 78-year-old road offers such sights as Apollo Bay, and the Otway National Park. Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Julia Denes.

The distinguishing hallmark of many 19th century Australian jewelry designs was not a stamp but an emblem; a carved out semblance of indigenous fauna or flora.

Designs of the times were made with gold and usually offset with agates, quartz, blue and yellow sapphires, and of course Australian opals.

Today, Australian designer jewelry is stamped with the respective artist’s personal hallmark, but styles and aesthetics are eclectic encompassing the streamlined, classic pearl and diamond items of Nina’s Jewellery to the sensual, provocative jewelry couture of Sarina Suriano.

Denes’ streamlined design approach gives a nod to the subtle beauty of Asian aesthetics with likenesses of lotus blossoms, fans, and butterflies each fashioned from 18-karat rose, yellow and white gold, and sterling silver.



A certified jeweler, gemologist and diamond grader, after graduating from Sydney’s College of Fine Arts Denes spent two years traveling the world. The close-up viewings of multi-cultural handicrafts kept alive through generations left an indelible mark.

By 2005, Denes was ready to establish her brand utilizing her education, time abroad, and valuable hands-on experience obtained while working for Australian brand Rox Jewellery to bring her fine jewelry collections to life.

The hand-sawed, cutout designs of her gold necklaces and sterling silver earrings provide delicacy and lightness, while the bright red and blue hues of two gemstone necklaces, one featuring red coral, and the other Arizona turquoise beads, exude a tangible primal tone indicative of the rustic Australian spirit.

Overall, she maintains clean lines within classic yet ornamental structures accenting forms with the deep, rich colors of orange and blue sapphires, red spinels, and diamonds.

“I draw inspiration from my surroundings whether it is a lily pad or beautiful symbol,” says Denes.

“I like to keep forms organic with pierced details and a clean finish. I want to create a special piece of jewelry that anyone can enjoy.”
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Photo 1 (top right): 18-Karat White Gold Plated Lotus Pendant
Photo 2 (center): Six-Strand Arizona Turquoise Necklace
Photo 3 (bottom left): 18-Karat White Gold Ring with Blue Star Sapphire

JOHN MILLER DESIGN

Within Australia’s Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park lies the striking visual of dome-shaped, crimson rock formations known as the Olgas (or the Kata Tjuta).

The captivating scenery is best viewed during spring or fall through alternately easy and challenging guided, walking trails. Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer John Miller.

NICOLE RAAB

Get ready to enjoy the feats of skilled surfers that populate Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia. Featured in the final scene of the Keanu Reeves' film Point Break, Bells Beach has been the location of the Rip Curl Pro Surf and Music Festival for nearly fifty years. Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Nicole Raab.

Before bringing her life-long passion for jewelry making to fruition through her company, Indi's Charm, the mother of five worked as a Community Development Coordinator at various community centers.

When her then husband-to-be chose to commission a jeweler to create her engagement ring, Raab's own creative stirrings were reignited.

During her fifth pregnancy, she decided to quit her job, and actively pursue constructing handmade jewelry.

"I loved to make jewelry from a very young age. I have always been fascinated by it," Raab recalls.

"I love the way it can make you feel. I love the way jewelry makes a statement about a person. Jewelry brings out a woman's femininity."

The self-taught designer takes a tactile and spiritual approach to her creation process, and the beauty of nature is central to her aesthetic.

"I can get inspired anywhere, really. Honestly, I can be shopping and someone can walk pass wearing something or carrying something in their hand and an idea pops into my head.

I stop to write down my ideas while my family shakes their heads waiting for me. It's crazy. My head is always buzzing with ideas. But I have to say that nature is my biggest influence.

I have spent many years in the mountains of Victoria's Dandenong Ranges. Many of my pieces are inspired by the non-conformists of the mountains, as well as the unique twists that capture the souls of those who live there."

Amalgamating such materials as Swarovski crystals, Balinese silver, leather, freshwater pearls, lampwork beads, copper, old belt buckles, semi-precious stones, and shells, Raab builds varied and differentiated items.

Her elegant and sophisticated neckpieces highlight styles that seem to be variations of African, East Indian, and Turkish aesthetics.

For the most part, these designs are simple yet opulent with either a metal chain or silk cord suspending a vibrant gemstone drop, multiple beads, or a commanding metal medallion.

Aside from pendants, earrings, and bracelets, she also configures beautiful key chains, handbag jewelry, and bookmarks sprinkled with luscious drops of semi-precious stones. I love that she has matched delicate stones with functional items while also punctuating femininity.

I love the idea of having a few aquamarine gemstones dangling right next to my car ignition key. In case you are in a morning rush and arrive to work sans a pair of earrings or necklace, you still have a little bling with you.

"I don't pre-plan or draw sketches. When I make something, I like it to be the first time it has been created. I like the creation process to be pure, and raw.

I have a tattoo of the holy trinity on my hand, and I never make a piece without a simple prayer first. It is a bit like a ritual, if you must."

Ultimately, once a piece is finalized, Raab thoroughly enjoys seeing the visceral response of a potential wearer. "I love for my jewelry to start a conversation. When I see a woman look at a piece from my collection, and she can't walk away without it, I know that piece has spoken to her. That is very important.

For me, I believe every woman has the right to own and wear an individual piece of art in the form of jewelry, without the high cost.

I've been known to sell a piece cheaper than the listed price because the piece spoke to someone. It's not about the money. It's about the love a wearer has for it, and the love of creating it."


For Raab's latest collections, be sure to view her FaceBook page.
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Photo 1 (top right): Medallion Pendant
Photo 2 (center): Keychain with Semi-Precious Gemstones
Photo 3 (bottom left): Silver Tone Medallion Bracelet

JERAMIE CARTER

Situated at the summit of Black Mountain in Canberra, Australia is the aptly named Black Mountain Tower, a telecommunication tower that not only provides facilities for communication platforms and dishes but also holds a revolving restaurant, café, and observation deck.

Australia is also the home of featured jewelry designer Jeramie Carter.

MARCOS DAVIDSON

Established in 1820, Australia's Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden strives to conserve threatened species of flora, and holds an annual Tulip Festival. Australia is also the home of featured jewelry designer Marcos Davidson.

SAMANTHA WILLS

Metallic Gold Filigree Empress Ring

The hot, summer season will soon be underway in the Northern Territory of Australia so we make a point to stay in our rental car and suck up the AC. We are here to view one of the world's most sublime natural rock formations, Uluru (a/k/a Ayers Rock).

Known as a land-based type of iceberg the magnificent sandstone formation stands over 1,000 feet and looks like a red, burning ember. Australia is also the home of featured jewelry designer Samantha Wills.

GEMSTONE OF THE MONTH | OPAL

The unique beauty of the opal gemstone is unlike any other; it holds within it the vibrant colors of all gemstones. Brilliant flashes of red, yellow, blue, and green sparkle and twinkle within a fluid blue-green background. For this reason, the early Romans called it "the queen of gems."

Opals form when water transports silica along the fissures of boulders. When the water evaporates the silica hardens and over time creates what we know as an opal stone.

The distinctive color of opal is caused by "internal diffraction": very small grids holding spheres break apart light into color. The size of the spheres determines the color. Large spheres create a multitude of hues, while smaller ones create a single, uniform color.

For many centuries, the stone came to symbolize purity, love, fidelity, and hope; but the opal's reputation took a sinister turn in the early 19th century.

The protagonist of Sir Walter Scott's popular novel, Anne of Geuerstein, wore a magic opal stone in her hair. The stone's colors would change reflecting the protagonist's moods. After a few sprinkles of holy water touched the stone, it lost its color and the protagonist took ill and died.

For nearly half a century after the book's release, the sale of opals dropped dramatically. England's Queen Victoria, however, was unfazed by the widely accepted superstition buying the stones for her daughters as wedding gifts.

Now of course, the stone is highly sought after and are primarily mined in Australia. The opal is a fragile gem that chips easily and requires careful maintenance. It is best to keep it away from heat, acid, and from other pieces of jewelry that can scratch it.

The opal is believed to cure eye problems, soothe the nerves, and enhance metabolism. The stone is also believed to improve communication, and awaken psychic abilities.

Among the world's most famous opals is the magnificent Opal Peacock Brooch, which is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

It is a spectacular piece, donated by the brilliant Harry Winston, fashioned from a sapphire stone forming the head moving along to a diamond encrusted neck, and a 22-carat opal forms the body while the tail feathers are a composite of emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.

One of the world's largest opals, worth $2 million dollars, is the Olympic Australis Opal, found in Australia in 1956.
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Photo 1 (top left): Opal Peacock Brooch

GEMSTONE OF THE MONTH | SAPPHIRE

A symbol of devotion to God, and the mysterious planet Saturn, the magnetic, blue sapphire gemstone is widely known as the "Stone of Destiny."

The sapphire is derived from a non-red variety of the corundum mineral; the same mineral its twin, the ruby, originates from.

ELKE KRAMER

Demanding Pendant in Amrita, Dionysus &
Split Rose Resin with Wine Beads and Rose Gold

Today we stroll along the southern coast of Sydney, Australia's Bondi Beach.

We see cyclists, rollerbladers, and of course surfers. Australia is also home to featured jewelry designer Elke Kramer.