Behind Elara | An Ode to Craft and Earth

BEHIND THE COLLECTION

Elara: An Ode to Craft and Earth

In creating Elara, our team of designers & jewellers set out to honour the profound connection between craft and place. Every curve, every cluster, every stone placement is a considered reflection of our land – its textures, its tones, its quiet or innocuous miracles.

The Patera setting, developed exclusively for this collection, is a tangible metaphor for this relationship: a bowl of gold, cradling a diamond like a precious fragment of earth itself. In these forms, we mirror the organic beauty that surrounds us – and celebrate the vision and technique of the jewellers who bring these ideas to life.

Below, Head Designer Shona shares insights into the inspiration, process, and philosophy behind Elara.

How did the Australian landscape and natural forms influence the design language of Elara?

While sharing provenance for place through their origin materials hailing from our Australian landscape, the Elara Collection acts as an aesthetic ode to country. The warmth in tonality, ornate texture and what appears serendipitous placement of diamonds, is all inspired by nature. As someone who has called Australia home for under 10 years, there is still so much about the landscape that takes me by surprise, and that is the feeling I wanted to portray through Elara. A sense of the unexpected, the ever evolving, regenerative nature of it. I find, there is something entirely unique about the way that light interacts with the earth here, shifting and changing through hours and seasons. Such a fleeting occurrence, blink and you'll miss it, but to witness, is truly breathtaking.

While our reverence for the natural world can be seen through the organic, undulating forms of the pieces, we hope to also express our gratitude for the process undertaken to bring this piece to life, and to celebrate the materials crafted to make them possible. This collection is a visual representation of the time and process required for a diamond to emerge from the earth. The hands it passes through on its journey: our cutters, designers, jewellers and setters, finally becoming a tangible piece of art representing this great story, a piece to treasure just for you.

How did the Australian landscape and natural forms influence the design language of Elara?

While sharing provenance for place through their origin materials hailing from our Australian landscape, the Elara Collection acts as an aesthetic ode to country. The warmth in tonality, ornate texture and what appears serendipitous placement of diamonds, is all inspired by nature. As someone who has called Australia home for under 10 years, there is still so much about the landscape that takes me by surprise, and that is the feeling I wanted to portray through Elara. A sense of the unexpected, the ever evolving, regenerative nature of it. I find, there is something entirely unique about the way that light interacts with the earth here, shifting and changing through hours and seasons. Such a fleeting occurrence, blink and you'll miss it, but to witness, is truly breathtaking.

While our reverence for the natural world can be seen through the organic, undulating forms of the pieces, we hope to also express our gratitude for the process undertaken to bring this piece to life, and to celebrate the materials crafted to make them possible. This collection is a visual representation of the time and process required for a diamond to emerge from the earth. The hands it passes through on its journey: our cutters, designers, jewellers and setters, finally becoming a tangible piece of art representing this great story, a piece to treasure just for you.

"There is still so much about the landscape that takes me by surprise, and that is the feeling I wanted to portray through Elara."

What does the Patera setting symbolise to you, and how does it reflect the values of Natalie Marie Jewellery?

Patera has been in development for almost two years. We wanted to create a distinctive setting style, that embodied the values of NMJ, our commitment to transparency and to traditional craftsmanship. A small, brilliant white diamond, is held in the centre of what appears to be a bowl of solid gold. Its reverse domed appearance, with textured inside and high polish outer create an interesting play on light and its interaction with the diamond and metal itself. To me, Patera honours the process from mine to material. Speaking to where the diamond started, to where it finds its way to you and our commitment to take you on that journey alongside us.

What does the Patera setting symbolise to you, and how does it reflect the values of Natalie Marie Jewellery?

Patera has been in development for almost two years. We wanted to create a distinctive setting style, that embodied the values of NMJ, our commitment to transparency and to traditional craftsmanship. A small, brilliant white diamond, is held in the centre of what appears to be a bowl of solid gold. Its reverse domed appearance, with textured inside and high polish outer create an interesting play on light and its interaction with the diamond and metal itself. To me, Patera honours the process from mine to material. Speaking to where the diamond started, to where it finds its way to you and our commitment to take you on that journey alongside us.

Champagne & White Diamonds

Inara Eternity Ring

A gradation of champagne and white diamonds flow organically across its surface, echoing to the shimmer of sunlight on our ocean, or the brilliance of stars in our sky. Our signature Patera Setting adds a sculptural and textural dimension to the piece, acting as a distinctive hallmark of our considered craftsmanship.

Australian Champagne Diamond

Alba Cluster Ring

Featuring an exquisite Australian champagne diamond, highlighted with a delicate cluster of smaller white and champagne diamonds, set in our signature Patera Setting, which form a soft, organic gradient echoing the golden hues of Australia’s sun-soaked landscapes.

Australian Champagne Diamond

Seren Solitaire

At its centre, the warmth and depth of an enchanting Australian Oval Champagne Diamond, is complimented by a delicate constellation of contrasting champagne and white diamonds set in our signature Patera Setting, creating a gentle gradient of earthy hues.

Champagne Argyle Diamonds

Orrin Toi Et Moi Ring

Showcasing sparkling tonality, from the lightest champagne to the deepest cognac hues born of Australian Champagne Diamonds. Contrasting white diamonds are set in our signature Patera setting, affirming the Orrin Ring as entirely one-of-a-kind, as all great love stories are.

Can you speak to the importance of slow craftsmanship and attention to detail in bringing Elara to life.

As I mentioned, Elara has been in the works for several years. Some processes are slow, because they have to be. From the meticulous search to find the perfect Australian Champagne Diamonds to be the heroes of this collection, even after the closure of the Argyle Mine, to the uncompromising level of craftsmanship required to transform these pieces into the remarkable works of art they have become - every step has been intentional.

One hundred and ninety two individual claws each delicately secure the diamonds in the Inara Eternity Ring! Every design element in this collection has approached with utmost care: from the deliberate arrangement of tonal champagne diamonds, to the development of our intricate Patera Setting, down to the precise placement of each claw, every detail is a masterpiece in it’s own right.

Elara was created to honour this process - the quiet, deliberate planning that underpins every design at NMJ. The result, a collection that honours to these rare and remarkable materials, allowing them to shine in their purest form, and become something truly extraordinary.

Elara is our ode to time, patience and craftsmanship. A reminder of the beauty found in slowness, in reverence for materials and in the deeply considered journey from earth, to us, and in turn on to you. Precious heirlooms designed to transcend time.

Can you speak to the importance of slow craftsmanship and attention to detail in bringing Elara to life.

As I mentioned, Elara has been in the works for several years. Some processes are slow, because they have to be. From the meticulous search to find the perfect Australian Champagne Diamonds to be the heroes of this collection, even after the closure of the Argyle Mine, to the uncompromising level of craftsmanship required to transform these pieces into the remarkable works of art they have become - every step has been intentional.

One hundred and ninety two individual claws each delicately secure the diamonds in the Inara Eternity Ring! Every design element in this collection has approached with utmost care: from the deliberate arrangement of tonal champagne diamonds, to the development of our intricate Patera Setting, down to the precise placement of each claw, every detail is a masterpiece in it’s own right.

Elara was created to honour this process - the quiet, deliberate planning that underpins every design at NMJ. The result, a collection that honours to these rare and remarkable materials, allowing them to shine in their purest form, and become something truly extraordinary.

Elara is our ode to time, patience and craftsmanship. A reminder of the beauty found in slowness, in reverence for materials and in the deeply considered journey from earth, to us, and in turn on to you. Precious heirlooms designed to transcend time.

"This collection is a visual representation of the time and process required for a diamond to emerge from the earth. The hands it passes through on its journey: our cutters, designers, jewellers and setters, finally becoming a tangible piece of art representing this great story, a piece to treasure just for you."

How do you hope someone feels when they wear a piece from Elara? What story does it tell?

Oh I love this question. Elara is a story of respect and gratitude. It is us saying thank you to the earth, for that which we take. At NMJ we work tirelessly to consider the impact of the jewellery we make and owning a piece from the Elara Collection is our communities opportunity to commit to that. To celebrate the slow, the unique and the different. In a world where things can seem so fast, where trends move in cycles and everything is at our fingertips, we are urging you to choose a path less travelled. To learn and embrace the beauty in the Australian landscape and the materials we are so privileged to have access to. I hope someone wearing Elara would feel connected, to themselves and to place. A celebration of the serendipitous chance, of being on this earth, at this time and a reminder to look around. To notice the sunlight as it dances on the water, the stars in the sky, the clouds as they shift across oceans. To breathe it all in and remember just how lucky we are to call this place home.

The driving force in designing this collection, was to open conversation around the impact of our processes. At NMJ we are committed to transparency, as well as evolution. We recognise that we do not hold all the answers, and are constantly striving to learn, to connect, and to improve. We recognise, that working with Champagne Diamonds from the Argyle Mine site, comes with a significant cultural impact to the traditional custodians of the land, the Miriwoong, Gija, Malgnin and Wularr peoples. Through this collection, we hope to respectfully acknowledge the Elders of this Country, past, present and emerging, and show our respect to the sacred Country where these champagne diamonds were born. We are invested in the regenerative projects underway to support this sacred land and return it to the traditional owners. We encourage our community to research the Barramundi Dreaming Stories shared by the Gelganyem Group who have generously shared their resources with us while we developed this collection. Elara is our commitment to continue in our own education, to listen, to learn and to act, and in turn share that journey with our community.

How do you hope someone feels when they wear a piece from Elara? What story does it tell?

Oh I love this question. Elara is a story of respect and gratitude. It is us saying thank you to the earth, for that which we take. At NMJ we work tirelessly to consider the impact of the jewellery we make and owning a piece from the Elara Collection is our communities opportunity to commit to that. To celebrate the slow, the unique and the different. In a world where things can seem so fast, where trends move in cycles and everything is at our fingertips, we are urging you to choose a path less travelled. To learn and embrace the beauty in the Australian landscape and the materials we are so privileged to have access to. I hope someone wearing Elara would feel connected, to themselves and to place. A celebration of the serendipitous chance, of being on this earth, at this time and a reminder to look around. To notice the sunlight as it dances on the water, the stars in the sky, the clouds as they shift across oceans. To breathe it all in and remember just how lucky we are to call this place home.

The driving force in designing this collection, was to open conversation around the impact of our processes. At NMJ we are committed to transparency, as well as evolution. We recognise that we do not hold all the answers, and are constantly striving to learn, to connect, and to improve. We recognise, that working with Champagne Diamonds from the Argyle Mine site, comes with a significant cultural impact to the traditional custodians of the land, the Miriwoong, Gija, Malgnin and Wularr peoples. Through this collection, we hope to respectfully acknowledge the Elders of this Country, past, present and emerging, and show our respect to the sacred Country where these champagne diamonds were born. We are invested in the regenerative projects underway to support this sacred land and return it to the traditional owners. We encourage our community to research the Barramundi Dreaming Stories shared by the Gelganyem Group who have generously shared their resources with us while we developed this collection. Elara is our commitment to continue in our own education, to listen, to learn and to act, and in turn share that journey with our community.