What is it about diamonds that inspires you?
“Growing up in a jewellery family, diamonds and gemstones were always kind of familiar but it was only after finishing high school, when I went to study gemmology at the GIA in Santa Monica, that I really became interested in diamonds. The more you learn and the more experience you have with them, the more […]
What trends do you see in diamond jewellery in 2022?
“There has been a real swing towards ‘casual luxury’ – day-to-night diamonds that are wearable in any circumstance, whether you’re going out to dinner or going to a Pilates class. That can mean choosing more unusual diamond shapes or layering up a number of diamond tennis bracelets. It’s a definite shift from the traditional big, […]
What would be your dream diamond piece to design?
“The more extravagant, the better. Having just completed the wedding tiara, I’d love to create a truly dramatic diamond necklace. A piece fit for royalty, that you would see in a cabinet but certainly wouldn’t wear every day. That’s the dream!”
What is the most memorable diamond piece you have made?
“I have two pieces that immediately spring to mind – one that was created for a wedding (in fact, for my wedding) 10 years ago, and another that “walked down the aisle” this year. The first piece is incredibly close to my heart; a diamond hairpiece with a detachable brooch bow that was inspired by […]
What inspires you about diamonds?
“I’m inspired by their never-ending sparkle! Diamonds are wonderful to work with, as their remarkable durability allows for increased creativity in design, the cutting of unusual shapes and styles. Of course, they are also available in a broad colour palette, which adds to their spectacular potential.”
Tell us the history of your business and how you became a jeweller?
“Jewellery is in my blood. My family has been in business since 1974, and I essentially grew up in my father’s Penrith boutique. I started working in the store when I was 12 years old, cleaning the workshop and doing bits and pieces. It was there that I developed a true love for the industry, […]
What trends do you see in diamond jewellery in 2022?
“Yellow gold diamond jewellery is making a comeback due to fashion trends going towards yellow gold to make a statement. I think asymmetrical designs and fancy cut diamonds will be popular this year.”
How does nature inspire your designs and approach to making your jewellery?
“Linneys is based in Western Australia, known for its wealth of precious resources as well as having a spectacular coral coastline and Kimberley region. We are surrounded by inspiration, using our locally sourced materials to create jewellery inspired by these natural elements, right here in WA. Our uniquely West Australian pieces that are in demand […]
What makes your diamond jewellery unique?
“We are renowned for our signature freeform style jewellery, which is complemented by high quality natural white and coloured diamonds hand selected by our diamond experts. Linneys designs epitomise fine diamond jewellery, utilising the diamonds either as the hero central gemstone or to enhance a piece of jewellery. Diamonds are part of the puzzle within […]
What do you love about working with diamonds?
“Diamonds are incredibly symbolic. They embody both a monetary value and a sentimental value. Diamonds become part of our story and our persona, so we form an intrinsic emotional value with the diamonds we own and this becomes a strong bond. Initially, we treasure them because of the financial investment and over time we treasure […]
Tell us a little bit about the history of Linneys
“We have been creating fine jewellery from precious materials for 50 years. Our father Alan, who is a jeweller himself, established the business and then over the years attracted a team of the best artisan jewellers to create our pieces. Handcrafting fine jewellery is a highly specialised skill that has been handed down through generations.” […]
If you could create your dream piece of diamond jewellery what would it be?
“To just pick one dream piece of jewellery is hard when there are still so many designs I’d love to create. If I could only choose one, it would probably be a ring featuring natural green or blue diamonds…they are the supporting actor that should win the Academy Award! There is something fascinating about their […]
What do you find inspiring about diamonds?
“What inspires us is that no matter how many diamonds you’ve seen there are always some that just amaze you. We never get tired of unwrapping a diamond and seeing its brilliance sitting there unset. They are also synonymous with love, commitment and devotion and there is a special feeling knowing you’ve been a part […]
What would you say makes your business unique when it comes to diamonds?
“I would have to say it is our passion for offering a quality of diamond and jewellery that is not found anywhere else in Geelong. Over the years, experience and knowledge has allowed us to be able to source truly special stones and jewellery. We also focus on using only high quality materials in our […]
Who works with you in your business?
“We have a small but very talented team who are all as passionate about jewellery as I am. Between us we have a wealth of expertise in design, valuation, gemmology that allows us to offer the highest level of service to each client.” “My son George now works on the operational side and I oversee […]
Tell us a little bit of history of your business and how it was established.
“I have been a manufacturing jeweller for almost 50 years and have had a love of designing and handcrafting pieces since I began in 1972. After many years on the bench, I opened a small workshop in 1989 in the heart of Geelong. I was fortunate enough that local word of mouth kept myself and […]
What trends are you seeing in diamond jewellery and what do you predict for the coming year?
I would like to see all jewellery become completely ethical and sustainably crafted. The future is in our hands and Calleija understands stronger actions must be taken to help protect our planet. We have become extremely conscious of every step we take. From eliminating single use plastics, to the energy efficient practices we use in […]
If you could design your dream piece of diamond jewellery what would this be?
I design my dream piece of jewellery almost every day. It is perpetual process and I often wake up at 3 am every morning with a design on my mind. I then have to unlock my imagination with my sketchbook and design it with all its details that day. We then create that piece in […]
What has been the most memorable piece you have ever designed?
I will always remember designing the ‘Virtual Eros’ diamond mask. Out of 2,500 entries, Calleija was bestowed with the De Beers International Diamond Design Award in 2000. Virtual Eros was designed with 44 carats of brilliant diamonds and was chosen as a personal favourite by Madonna. To see it featured in countless publications and in […]
What do you love about working with diamonds?
To work with diamonds is an immense privilege as they are one of nature’s most ancient treasures. Diamonds are the pinnacle of timeless beauty and universally represent endless love and eternal devotion. One of my favourite aspects about working with diamonds, is creating a piece designed to be cherished for generations. To design and create […]
How did you become a designer jeweller and what year was Calleija established?
I became a jewellery designer under the guidance of a very talented Sydney Jeweller when I was 18. He took me under his wing and I immediately fell in love with the process of imagining a design, drawing it and actually creating it. Creating fine jewellery was a perfect combination of my passion for art […]
Is there a 5th C?
Yes. The 5th C refers to Certificate. The diamond certification (also known as a grading report) is a document that contains vital information on the diamond’s properties, such as the 4Cs, fluorescence, and other remarks. Untrustworthy jewellers will frequently dismiss this document by saying things like “it’s just a piece of paper” or “you’re buying […]
What are the 4 C’s in order?
Diamond CutDiamond Colour GradeDiamond ClarityDiamond Carat Weight Many people have heard of the 4 C’s of diamonds but don’t really understand what they mean and how they impact a purchase decision. The 4 C’s were developed by the industry’s peak standards body – the Gemological Institute of America – and adopted universally by respected jewellers. […]
What is most important of the 4 C’s of diamonds?
The Cut as it has the most impact on a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle among the 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat). If the cut is excessively shallow or deep, even a diamond with perfect clarity (no imperfections or inclusions) will appear glassy or dull. As a result, when choosing a diamond, go for the […]
Carat Weight
Diamond carat weight is a measurement of how much a diamond weighs. 200 milligrammes equals one metric “carat.” 100 ‘points’ are distributed into each carat. This enables measurements to be made to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweller can use the ‘points’ alone to convey the weight of a diamond under one carat. A 0.25 […]
