By The Gem Monarchy
Based in Sydney, Maria K Jewellery is a flourishing business that has emerged recently. With a mix of highly contemporary stylistic pieces, more traditional go-to designs, and experience in the international jewellery industry, Maria’s business is a sight to behold as they continue powering forward in the Australian jewellery market.
From an early age, Maria has always expressed herself “with various forms of art”. Music, dance, painting, photography, and anything else allowed her to express her emotions. This led to her pursuing an education in Gemmology and Jewellery Design from the world-renowned Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Maria, always wanting to be a part of the design process, also pursued CAD and decided to take on her third programme at the GIA, the Diploma of Jewellery Design and Technology.
Maria founded her first business, Gems to Jewels, which is a wholesale distributor and importer of gemstones and is now branching out to a more retail-based avenue. “I enjoy deep philosophical conversations, and this is where some of my design ideas are born,” she says.
Maria’s jewellery designs are both innovative and beautiful. They utilise a combination of modern techniques, in conjunction with traditional gemstone pairings which elevates the beauty of her pieces. Maria often achieves this by using “coloured stones and accenting coloured gemstones with diamonds”. The amalgamation of light and colour produces a rare brilliance.
Coloured stones, much like the underrated spinel, are Maria’s main obsession. She hopes to implement more in upcoming jewellery collections, all displaying her signature intricately bold designs. Maria enjoys making every single one of her designs, whether it be a custom design with a single-coloured gemstone or an intricate ring bursting with colour and creativity.
Maria says the gemstone industry has matured her as a person, “I am so proud to be learning something new every day through this industry. Learning to be resilient, not giving up and just throwing myself in the deep end.” Maria reflects on her development over her career, “There is a concept to jewellery design and particularly rings. There is a structure to rings, which I have noticed gradually – my first ring designs, now that I reflect onto them, are very amateur and I guess I could have only come to see that with experience,” she adds.
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