Curtis Australia – The Joy of Jewellery

THE JOY OF JEWELLERY

GIVING, RECEIVING OR CHOOSING SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF – IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

BY PAUL HENDERSON

Over the centuries, from the time of the pyramids and Aztecs through to now, jewellery has played an an important role in our lives. This is still true today.

Jewellery is used to mark almost every significant event including engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, Valentines, Mothers Day and Fathers Day - even a loved ones passing.

These occasions are just a few of the reasons we want to give, receive and wear jewellery. But perhaps the most important reason for jewellery is simply the pleasure it gives.

This is the biggest sector of the market and has grown significantly over the last 30 years in line with the number of women who are working and have independent means.

Master Jeweller Glenn Curtis of Bairnsdale based studio Curtis Australia says he has noticed a significant shift. Women are choosing their own jewellery to enjoy, express their personality and to put some sparkle and bling into life. At the same time design trends have become more varied. From designs derived from nature to others inspired by different periods of art history, such as Art Deco, there's a wide range.

'Often, after a design consultation we can combine several elements into a very personal 'one of a kind' ring or piece of jewellery' says Glenn.

This approach can be seen from a number of the ideas and the finished jewellery shown here.

Designing jewellery to suit someone specifically takes years of training, and the art of listening to clients is a vitally important part of that experience.

Special jewellery brings great and lasting pleasure. It's often said that jewellery is one of the most personal things one can have, and it's one of the few things we are able to pass on to the next generation, knowing it will last.

DIAMOND & SAPPHIRE ‘DECO’ RING

A PENDANT FULL OF SIGNIFICANCE; THE NUMBER OF LEAVES AND GUM NUTS HAVE A PERSONAL MEANING WHILE A TREASURED LOCK OF HAIR IS HIDDEN WITHIN. IT'S THROUGH CAREFUL THOUGHT AND IMAGINATION THAT WE CAN WEAVE IN SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO A PIECE OF JEWELLERY, SOMETHING THAT WILL BE TREASURED AND HELD CLOSE FOREVER. EARRINGS ARE THE PERFECT GIFT – NO PROBLEMS WITH SIZE – THESE 'SWIRL' EARRINGS IN GOLD LOOK PARTICULARLY LOVELY WHEN MOVING IN THE LIGHT. THEY ALSO REFLECT THE DESIGN OF THE HANDCRAFTED GOLD 'MONROE' WATCH SHOWN ON THE RIGHT, MAKING FOR A BEAUTIFUL PAIRING.

LOOKING FOR A MORE PLAYFUL TAKE ON A WEDDING RING, WE WORKED WITH THE CLIENT TO CREATE AND HANDCRAFT THIS TRULY UNIQUE PIECE. PURPLE SAPPHIRES ACCENT THE BANDS OF WHITE DIAMONDS, ADDING A CAPTIVATING SPLASH OF COLOUR.

With over 50 years experience in jewellery design & creation

Most people are very considered in how they go about having something special made. Choosing to have something restored or repaired is important too, people want to know that their jeweller will take special care and attention of the things they hold precious. Clients place great importance on the fact that nothing leaves the Curtis Australia studio, their precious jewellery stays where all the work is done, with nothing ever sent away.

Glenn Curtis and the team at Curtis Australia put a lot of effort into customer service and what that means to you as a client. They take the time to sit down with you one on one, designing or talking through your options, and most importantly listening to you. You're speaking direct to jewellers, the staff have many years practical, jewellery making experience - unlike most jewellery retailers.

It's funny how concentrating on customer service has led to Glenn and the team at Curtis Australia getting to create things for many people and organisations they would only dream of meeting.

People such as legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus. Royals, including princesses and queens in a number of countries overseas, some movie stars, different Governors of Victoria, The Parliament of Australia and of course, the most important person, you.

Glenn says it is really important to understand what the client wants. 'It's not about what you might want to do for them, it's about what they really would like. There's nothing more enjoyable than sitting down with someone and designing and creating something just for them' Glenn Curtis explains that jewellery making is an exacting craft needing both accuracy and artistry.

'The jeweller faces two interwoven challenges - the spontaneity of creating a balanced design, the second to keep the spirit of the idea alive while forming and shaping precious metals, setting gems and applying a beautiful final finish, playing with a palette of gold in many colours and gems capturing any hue in nature.'

The skills and passion used for new jewellery is also needed for the sympathetic restoration of older pieces.

When restoring jewellery it takes time and a sensitivity to the original design so these much loved pieces can be kept 'alive' and the memories intact. This is important not only when you wear the piece but when you want to pass the precious memories onto the next person to treasure and remember.

Happily the work (if indeed you can call it that, it's really a passion) is second nature to Glenn Curtis, whose skills are held in such regard internationally that he was invited to join the international judging panel for a global jewellery design competition.

When you're next in Bairnsdale, Glenn, Heather and the Curtis Australia team would be very happy to see you, and show you something of the work they create in their well appointed showroom. Not only do they create one off pieces, but there is a glittering choice of ready to wear jewellery to see, as well as hand crafted Curtis watches and beautiful pens – all individually made in their adjoining studio.

A SPECIAL RING IN WHITE AND ROSE GOLD IS UNUSUAL IN BOTH DESIGN AND THE WAY IT'S BEEN CRAFTED. THE MAIN BRILLIANT CUT DIAMONDS ARE EACH ENCIRCLED IN ROSE GOLD, WHILE THE WHITE AND ROSE GOLD BAND ADDS A DISTINCTIVE AND VERY DIFFERENT ABSTRACT TOUCH.

WEAVING TOGETHER DIAMONDS AND GOLD, THIS CLEVER DESIGN INCORPORATES EXISTING DIAMONDS FROM DIFFERENT RINGS IN A FRESH, CONTEMPORARY DESIGN HAND CRAFTED IN THE CURTIS AUSTRALIA STUDIO – A TRUE ONE OFF. LOOKING FOR SOMETHING UNUSUAL; A SPIRITED, FLOWING IDEA, SOMETHING WITH ENERGY AND MOVEMENT. PART OF THE PROCESS IS TO DRAW SOME ROUGH IDEAS, THEN SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE FINISHED TO MAKE SURE THE CLIENT BRIEF IS BEING MET. ALL THIS BEFORE ANY ACTUAL JEWELLERY BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE.

CURTIS GOLD MONROE WATCH

PHOTO CHARLES WHEELER

THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF SUSSEX ARE GIVEN A CUSTOM MADE PIECE BY CURTIS AUSTRALIA WHILE VISITING SYDNEY'S TARONGA ZOO. AWARD WINNING JEWELLER, GLENN CURTIS

Call 5152 1089 or visit curtisaustralia.com

You can see more at Curtis Australia’s stunning work at www.curtisaustralia.com or, next time you are in Bairnsdale, why not pop into their studio at 129 Macleod Street. Ph | 03 5152 1089