“From my earliest memories, I’ve been drawn to the unique textures and vibrant colours you only find in the natural world. Wherever I go, whatever I see, certain images and the feelings they invoke remain with me. It seems that it is on these memories I call when I am designing my jewellery.”
Margot McKinney oam
A Rich Heritage
The McKinney family business was founded in Toowoomba, Queensland in 1884 by the adventurous and brave John McKinney, recently arrived from Ireland. Following in his pioneering footsteps, his descendants grew and expanded the family luxury goods business to become one of the most respected family businesses in Australia. The McKinney Family values their impeccable reputation for providing the finest merchandise and bespoke personal service.
With signature McKinney passion and creativity, Margot McKinney has leveraged the relationships forged by her family over more than a century and a quarter, to establish her own reputation as a world-renowned jewellery designer. Fourth-generation in the family business, Margot McKinney’s life’s passion is creating exceptional pieces of jewellery from the finest and rarest gems in the world.
Starting her career at an early age in the 139-year-old McKinney family business, she has risen to global acclaim. From this strong grounding and with always the family tradition in her mind, Margot has nurtured her eponymous brand into one of the most desirable bespoke jewellery brands globally featuring in Neiman Marcus across the United States and in Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.
Clockwise From Top Left: Original McKinney’s store on Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, c1900s. John McKinney (founder), 1930. John McKinney (third generation) and wife, Anne McKinney. Sheep herded outside McKinney’s Toowoomba, c1960s. Kenneth McKinney (second generation). John McKinney (junior) and staff, 1952.
Destined to seek out the very finest jewels in the world.
For Margot, the creative process often begins with a unique gem; sourced with a keen eye and discerning vision from the most important mines in the world.
Respecting the stone’s intrinsic qualities, she fashions the ideal setting for the gem to shine at its most brilliant, draped gracefully around a neck, or sparkling from an ear, wrist or hand.
Queensland Boulder Opal Ring featuring Umbalite Garnet, Amethyst, Tsavorite, Tourmaline, Sapphire and Diamond, crafted in 18 Karat Rose Gold.
Margot McKinney’s jewellery is inspired by the vibrant, exotic textures and colours that are so abundant in the natural world. Coral reefs teeming with life, rich dappled rainforests, the red dusty outback and deepest azure oceans are all reflected in the organic forms of Margot’s exquisite creations.
The story behind four generations of design and the world’s rarest gems
ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITIONS AT BRISBANE CITY HALL
AUSTRALIA EXPERIENCE 2022
AUSTRALIA EXPERIENCE 2022
In Margot’s hands, Pearls cast off any traditionally conservative and understated antecedents. Large and bold, they are integral to many of her designs, often complements with colourful gemstones as the centrepiece of an arrangement. Their natural shapes, either round or baroque (those with an organic shape that is not perfectly round), are used in designs that enhance their extraordinary size and lustrous qualities.
Australia is the birthplace of the finest pearls in the world and the only place in the world where the mighty silver lipped Maxima Pinctada oyster grows.
The Australian pearling industry is very small and is tightly controlled by the Fisheries Department to ensure its sustainability. There are a very limited amount of pearl farms in Australia.
South Sea Pearls are some of the best in the world. Known for the quality of their lustre, complexion, colour, shape and size, they range from 10mm – the size of a garden pea – to a maximum of 25mm.
The White-lipped Pinctada Maxima, with a Silvery White Mother-of-Pearl lining to its shell, is the only oyster that thrives in the seas around Northern Australia. As it is the colour of the Mother-of-Pearl that dictates the hue of the gem, Australian South Sea Pearls are always White or lightly tinted Silvery Grey, which makes them easy to distinguish from Black Tahitian, Golden Philippine and Chinese fresh-water Pink Pearls. Each year Margot visits Aji
Ellie’s farm, the only independently owned farm, which is a great honour and privilege. This also means that Margot McKinney pearls come directly from the farm to the jewel salons of Neiman Marcus!
Margot’s Pearl journey started with a phone call from an old friend Aji Ellies, who owns a pearl farm in the remote northern tip of Australia in a little-visited place in the Northern Territory. The pristine waters off East Arnhem Land provide perfect conditions to produce the finest Pearls in the world. It is a designers dream to have such extraordinary inspirational gems with which to work.
Australian Pearls are nurtured through their two year growing period in the most pristine waters on the planet. The oysters are tended to and cared for quite intensely as they are the mother of this most precious gem.
DIAMOND BOW
Diamond Bow Pendant, crafted in 18 Karat White Gold with a strand of Australian South Sea Pearls.
TRIBAL CHIC
Pearls
140589
Tribal Chic Necklace highlighted by twenty five Australian South Sea
with “peanut” enhancers set with a myriad of Gemstones and Diamonds, crafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold.
ATLANTIC QUEEN
featuring a rare and important 119.44ct Aquamarine detachable
Pendant surrounded by 9.01ct Diamonds and 18mm Australian
South Sea Pearl Drop.Handcrafted in 18 Karat White Gold.
140589
PRINCESS COLLIER
Featuring rare naturally coloured Purple Pink Pearls with White Gold
Diamond rondelles. Paired with a Spinel and Diamond removable pendant highlighted with an important antique Burmese Spinel 20.05ct surrounded with a suite of Diamonds finished with a naturally coloured Purple Pink Pearl. 140304
Margot begins with the design. Shape and colour drive her selection of Opals, often paired with other fine gemstones in complementary tones, a process she describes as “painting with gems”. Margot’s pieces use Australian Boulder Opal and the rarest form of this gem, Black Opal, found mostly in Lightening Ridge.
PARADISE
Australian Boulder Opal 62.66ct and Peridot 24.01ct Earrings enhanced with a myriad of Gemstones in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. 030079
GREAT BARRIER REEF
Collier featuring 138.42ct Australian Opals and 209.84ct
Paraiba Tourmaline enhanced with a myriad of Gemstones, crafted in 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold.
120016
REEF
Brushed Gold Opal and Paraiba Cuff featuring a 62.29ct solid natural QLD Boulder Opal, enhanced with 64.29ct Paraiba Tourmalines, Diamonds, Aquamarine, Demantoid Garnets, Green Tourmaline, Blue and Green Sapphire, Sapphire, Tanzanites, Tsavorites and Peridot. Handcrafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. 320133
GALAH
The opals come from one of the most arid places in the world, the driest environment.
40.46ct White Opal Ring surrounded by Yellow Sapphires, Amethyst, Peridot, Pink Tourmaline and Diamonds, crafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold.
070073
Margot’s distinct design style is characterised by colour and a bold, awe-inspiring aesthetic. Each piece celebrates life’s joys - from intense depths of colour to exciting locations, family and togetherness - which the artist holds dear.
She designs pieces that make a statement, offering the wearer confidence in making both an entrance and leaving an unforgettable impression.
COSMIC
Collier featuring a suite of Australian Opals 138.42ct and a suite of Paraiba Tourmaline 209.84ct enhanced by Aquamarine, Blue Sapphires, Green Sapphires, Emeralds, Tsavorite and Diamonds, crafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. 110038
Papillon Earrings with a pair of 17.91ct Peridot surrounded by flowers and butterflies set with Diamonds, Yellow, Pink and Orange
Sapphires, Tsavorite Garnets, Peridot and a pair of baroque
South Sea Pearl pendant drops, crafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold.
020090 PAPILLON
The Green Door
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Margot McKinney’s flagship store is delightfully known as the Green Door and for those lucky enough to visit, a thrilling journey awaits when you pass through this iconic Green Door.
Margot McKinney is proud to be a Patron of The Prince’s Trust Australia and an Associate Sponsor for the Global Gala 2023.
The Prince’s Trust was founded by King Charles III to tackle the global crisis of youth unemployment and to support young people worldwide.
The charity helps young people prepare for the rapidly changing world of work, inspires veterans and their families into entrepreneurship and self-employment, and champions resilient sustainable community.
A PRINCIPLE SPONSOR 2016-2023
2023 marks 20 years of G’Day USA: a celebration of Australian excellence in the United States. Margot McKinney proudly attends and contributes as a principle sponsor since 2016.
This January 28, we attended the annual G’Day USA Arts Gala in Los Angeles for a celebration of the industries and individuals who tell our stories.
The Arts Gala showcases an optimistic community of creators, built on two decades of energetic exchange. Funds raised from the event will support the American Australian Association and its Arts Fund, allowing the next generation of trailblazers to soar.
GENTS AND GEMS
NEIMAN MARCUS SCOTTSDALE
For further information please contact:
Margot McKinney +61 438 888 008
Deborah Spirio +1 617 470 8596
