Don't you think a lot of jewellery looks ... kinda the same? Minimalist and mass-produced. Designed to fit in rather than stand out. Jewellery so dainty it's almost invisible. Pieces that are offensively inoffensive. Supposedly 'boho' designs that are so very mainstream. To me, that's boring jewellery - and it's everywhere.

I'm an Australian jewellery designer and the founder of Simone Walsh Jewellery. I've been designing and making jewellery for over 30 years - and I come to this work from a different path compared to many jewellers and designers.

My background and training in making Australian jewellery comes from the visual arts and I've always approached jewellery as a form of creative expression. For me, it's not just about decoration or following trends: it's about designing pieces that feel uniquely creative, thoughtful, even a bit of fun. It's about creating slow jewellery, not fast fashion.

When I look around at what's out there - especially in mass-market jewellery - I see a sea of sameness. Jewellery that's safe. Jewellery that whispers. Jewellery that's designed to be inoffensive to everyone, and therefore expressive of no-one.

And that's never been what I do.

So if you're tired of boring jewellery - or just curious about what makes our pieces different - let me take you behind the scenes of how and why I design the way I do.

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What Jewellery Should Be (If You Ask Me)

Jewellery should be expressive. It should tell a story - your story. It should feel like it was created by a real person, not designed by ticking 'current trend' boxes and then pushed off a factory line.

Great jewellery doesn't need to sit quietly. It catches the light. It sparks curiosity. It starts conversations. It makes you feel something.

It isn't intended to be for everyone, but the jewellery I design is for people who want to wear something that reflects who they are - their creativity, their quirkiness, their boldness, their love of art and meaning. That doesn't have to mean enormous or flashy, but it does mean creating pieces with heart, soul, and a spark of individuality.

My feeling is that jewellery should be more than just an accessory. It's wearable art that communicates something about the wearer. It can be delicate and delightful, but it should never be dull. It can be simple, but not soulless. It can be personal and precious - without being precious about it.

At its best, jewellery should become part of how you express yourself. That's always been my approach - and that's why I've never been interested in doing what everyone else is doing.

A Different Approach to Jewellery Design

Unlike many jewellery designers who come from a trade or fashion background, I trained in visual arts. Jewellery and Metal was my major subject when I studied visual arts, both at university and technical college many years ago.

Although I create very wearable pieces for Simone Walsh Jewellery, my approach has always been more like that of a studio artist or artisan jewellery designer: driven by creative exploration, attention to detail, and a love of materials.

I'm not designing products to hit mass-market trends or seasonal fashion charts. I'm creating small-batch pieces that feel personal, expressive, and created with real intention.

Essentially I design what interests me: it might be a creative idea or aesthetic I'm drawn to, or it could be a material, technique or colour palette I'm excited to explore. I let my curiosity and creativity lead the way.

I feel very lucky that the work I love to create has found its people. Thousands of customers over many years have connected with these designs - not just once, but often again and again. Some have built collections of their own, others have been gifting pieces to loved ones for decades. It's such a privilege to make creative jewellery that resonates with people - that becomes part of their story, not just something to wear.

This freedom to design from a place of inspiration rather than obligation is what keeps the work alive for me - and, I think, what gives it life for the people who wear it too.

Jewellery Designed to Stand Out - Not Blend In

So much of what's considered 'everyday' jewellery is designed to disappear. Tiny charms, delicate chains, whisper-thin hoops - safe, subtle pieces that don't ask much of the wearer and don't leave much of an impression. Those sorts of pieces may well have their place, but that's not what we do.

I design jewellery to be noticed, not necessarily because it's large or flashy, but because it has creativity, interesting details and presence. My opinion is that jewellery should draw the eye and spark curiosity, not fade into the background.

My love of detail shows up in everything I make, from stylised botanical motifs to swirling patterns, from deeply textured or intricately cut out surfaces to luminous gemstones in vibrant colours.

I especially love working with materials that carry meaning and character: precious metals like sterling silver and gold that feel solid and lasting, and gemstones that add richness and depth.

If you're someone who doesn't want to look like everyone else, who's drawn to jewellery that feels a little different - something with personality, artistry, even a story behind it - then you're exactly who I design for.

Bold Jewellery is Back (Again!)

It looks like the world is currently catching on to more eye-catching and bold jewellery: there's been a lot of talk lately about quirky, colourful, maximalist styles and statement jewellery making a big comeback.

However, I was into creating this style of jewellery before it was cool! And I was into it before it was cool the last time around too.

This isn't a trend for us. Designing expressive, meaningful jewellery that stands out from the crowd has always been at the heart of what we do.

Why Materials Matter in Jewellery

Jewellery should feel as good as it looks - and that starts with what it's made from.

In a world flooded with plated base metals, plastic imitations, and mystery materials, I've always chosen to work with precious metals and quality gemstones - including more ethical lab-grown stones where appropriate.

I create solid sterling silver jewellery and gold jewellery, not just because they're beautiful metals, but because they're lasting and they retain their value. These are materials that don't just shine - they endure.

Quality alternatives which are more affordable than solid gold also have their place and we do have pieces using these materials, such as gold filled and gold vermeil.

There's something deeply satisfying about wearing a piece that has weight, texture, and integrity. You can feel the difference. It warms to your skin. It ages gracefully. It's the kind of jewellery you can wear every day and still pass on one day, not something that flakes, discolours, or ends up in landfill after a few wears.

Even if you fall completely out of love with a piece of precious metal jewellery, the value of the metal means it can be melted down and used again and again to create more beautiful things.

Of course, working with precious materials also means designing responsibly. As an intentionally small business we simply can't afford to waste valuable materials. I create small batches, focus on thoughtful production, and avoid the kind of waste that mass production often creates. It's slow jewellery - by design.

There are lots of ways to make jewellery more cheaply or to use misleading marketing to sell it to unsuspecting customers. But I'd rather make it well, make it meaningful, and make it honest.

So Who Is Our Jewellery For?

Our jewellery is for people who want to express something, even if they can't quite put it into words.

It's for those who love art, creativity, and a touch of the unexpected. People who don't want to look like everyone else, but who want to wear pieces that feel personal, thoughtful, and creative. It's for the colour lovers, the detail appreciators, the ones who don't want to blend into the background.

It's for anyone who's ever looked at the jewellery on offer in a big chain store or the latest mass-marketed online jewellery store and thought: "this is all so boring"!

Whether you're building your own collection or choosing a special gift, my hope is that you’ll find something here that feels like it was made for you - because in many ways, it was.

(Reading this on a website that isn't simonewalsh.com? Be aware that the content has been stolen, infringing the copyright of a small business. ABN: 65108844126)

Final Thoughts: Shine On, Don't Blend In

For over 30 years, I've been creating jewellery that doesn’t follow the crowd - and I don't plan to start now.

This is jewellery designed to be noticed, to be loved, and to last. It's made with precious materials, with meaning behind every detail, and with a whole lot of heart.

So if you’ve been looking for jewellery that feels like a better fit - more you, more expressive, more alive - I hope you've found just the thing in what we do.

Because why blend in, when you can shine?

Related Reading:

• RIP Hoop Earrings – Fun, Quirky, Colourful Styles are the Way to Go Now - The Guardian
• There's Nothing Quiet About The 7 Biggest Jewelry Trends - Refinery 29
• The Trending Styles that Everyone is Stacking, Layering, (Happily) Flaunting - Buro

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