Looking to buy beautiful, high quality Australian jewellery, but not sure where to begin? You're in the right place. With so many jewellery brands and styles out there, knowing what to look for (and who to trust) can feel overwhelming. Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone special, this guide will help you feel more confident about choosing perfect pieces and the best Australian jewellery brands.
I'm an Australian jewellery designer with around 30 years of experience in creating meaningful, ethical, and distinctive designs. I run an intentionally small Australian business where everything we sell is designed right here, with our pieces entirely handmade or hand finished in our local studio. I've got a pretty good idea of what separates high quality jewellery from the rest - and I'm passionate about helping people make better, more informed choices.
In this guide, we'll explore what makes jewellery genuinely good quality, why buying Australian made matters, and how to spot the best and most trustworthy jewellery brands in Australia. Whether you're upgrading your collection, searching for a special gift, or simply want to shop with more intention, I'll show you what to look for - and why it matters.
So let's get started ...
What Makes Jewellery Good Quality?
Before we dive into how to find the top jewellery brands in Australia, it's worth understanding what separates good jewellery from poor quality pieces, especially when you're shopping online. Here are the key factors to look for when assessing the quality of jewellery, whether it's made in Australia or anywhere else:
1. Materials Matter
The best quality Australian jewellery is made using precious metals like solid gold, sterling silver, and considered gemstones. These materials not only look better, but they last longer, are much less likely to irritate your skin, and are easier to care for and treasure for years to come - they'll even retain their value well into the future. There are also decent quality alternatives to solid gold, such as gold vermeil and gold filled finishes, which are both hard-wearing and affordable - learn more in our guide to Different Types of Gold Jewellery.
Be very cautious of vague descriptions like 'silver-tone' or 'gold finish': they often indicate cheap base metals with - at best - a thin plating of silver or gold that will quickly wear off. You may even find there is no precious metal at all, with pieces being made solely from base metals like brass or (even worse) nickel, which we don't recommend you wear against your skin.
My best advice is that if the description isn't clear about what materials piece of jewellery is made from, then you should steer clear.
2. Craftsmanship & Finish
Well designed and made jewellery has a solid feel, neat joins, smooth edges, a refined finish, and is comfortable to wear. Clasps should work securely and be a suitable size for the weight of the design, stones should be properly set (not glued), and chains should be soldered or robustly constructed.
When pieces are handmade or small-batch produced, you'll often see thoughtful design, careful consideration, and finishing details that are missing from mass-produced alternatives.
3. Ethical & Sustainable Practices
High quality isn't just about what something looks like: it's also about how it's made. Ethical jewellery brands will usually share details about their sourcing, materials, and production, sometimes on their 'about us' pages.
Look for mentions of recycled metals, responsibly sourced gemstones, local or small-scale and ethical production, and low-waste packaging. It shows the business cares about people and the planet as much as the products they create.
4. Longevity & Repairability
Good jewellery is designed to last for years - and ideally, decades and even beyond. It should stand up well to everyday wear and be repairable if something does go wrong. It's not unusual for jewellery to require repair over time, especially when it comes to claw set gemstones or friction locket clasps which can need tightening or adjustment over time.
Taking your precious pieces to a jeweller for repair should always be an option. Many of those big name shopping mall brands you'll encounter might sell cheap pieces made in precious metals, but their cheaply made designs can be difficult to impossible to repair by a manufacturing jeweller - my advice is to avoid them and invest in better quality.
If you have purchased pieces made in base metals, then repair either may not be possible or be much more expensive than the value of the jewellery.
Why Buy Jewellery from Australian Brands?
Australia has a thriving community of independent jewellery designers and small makers creating beautiful, high-quality pieces - often with a unique, local flavour. Here's why choosing Australian jewellery can be a smart and meaningful decision:
1. Support Local Talent & Small Business
When you buy from small Australian jewellery brands, you're supporting real people, not just faceless corporations and already wealthy shareholders. Many independent designers (like me!) run small businesses where every sale truly matters. Supporting small design businesses helps keep local creativity and skills alive and allows artisans to keep creating unique things that you won't find anywhere else.
Learn more about why shopping small matters and how it makes a difference in our article, Why You Should Shop Small, Local & Handmade Jewellery.
2. Ethical & Small-Scale Production
Smaller Australian jewellery brands often have more transparent and sustainable production practices than large-scale fashion labels. You'll often find more ethical sourcing, conscious manufacturing, careful packaging choices, etc. when you shop with a small businesses, but be sure to look at the details when shopping.
In our own jewellery business, these are definitely issues we're always considering and working to improve. Learn more about our Eco-Friendly & Ethical Jewellery.
3. Distinctive, Meaningful Designs
Australian-made jewellery often reflects our landscapes, flora, fauna, relaxed lifestyle, and more local sense of style. From Australian flora jewellery, to beach inspired jewellery, you'll often find pieces that feel uniquely Australian being created by small, local businesses.
In addition, smaller brands tend to produce jewellery in limited runs, so you're much less likely to see the same design on everyone else.
4. Better Customer Experience
When you shop locally, especially from smaller brands, you're more likely to get personalised service, faster shipping, and easier returns. At Simone Walsh Jewellery we truly, madly and deeply want you to love your jewellery and come back for more, so we go out of our way to make your experience a great one.
Especially when shopping online, it's a good idea to always pay attention to the policies of an online store and get a feel for what sort of customer service you can expect to receive. Be sure to check shipping info, returns policies, their 'about us' page and more so you can feel more confident about what to expect.
What to Look For When Shopping for Australian Jewellery Online
Not all jewellery is created equal - and that's especially true when buying online. If you want to invest in quality Australian jewellery that will last and delight, here are the key things to consider:
1. Be Clear on the Materials Used
It's worth repeating: materials really do matter.
For instance, even when shopping for less expensive costume jewellery, you really don't want to end up with a toxic and potentially allergy-inducing metal like nickel sitting against your skin. Or if you're purchasing an expensive piece, you'll want to be sure that it's solid precious metal and not just a thin plating.
The bottom line is: if a jewellery outlet isn't upfront about what materials are used in their designs, then my advice is to shop elsewhere. It really isn't worth the risk to be wearing mystery metals.
2. Transparent Product Information
Reputable jewellery brands will provide detailed descriptions. These should of course be clear about the materails used, but also clear sizes or dimensions, how the piece is made, any relevant policies or important information relating to the designs, etc.. If this information is lacking, then you should question whether the online store you're looking at is worth spending your money with.
Also look for clear photography and close up shots from multiple angles so you know what you're getting. Jewellery photography can be fiendishly difficult (trust me!). Even with the best of intentions, it can be tricky to perfectly capture what a piece will look like in reality, so it's a good idea to check the returns policies as well.
3. Who Made It - and How?
Does the brand design their pieces locally? Are the items entirely made in-house or is there a trusted and ethically run partner workshop involved? It's okay if some components are sourced elsewhere (we have components made to our designs by an external workshop, as well as making and finishing pieces in our own workshop), but ethical, small-scale production should still be a priority - at least I think so anyway.
A good, trustworthy jewellery brand or other independent design brand should be upfront about their processes and values. If this matters to you, then be sure to check.
4. Returns & Aftercare
Before purchasing, you should always take a look at the store's returns policy. Can you return or exchange the item if needed? What aftercare is offered? Many small businesses have a 'no fault' return policy (such as our own Happiness Guarantee) but certainly not all: it always pays to check before you buy.
Signs of Quality Jewellery (and Red Flags to Watch For)
When you're shopping for Australian jewellery online - especially if you're investing in something meaningful - it's helpful to know what sets well-made pieces apart from the rest. Here's what to look out for:
Signs of Quality Jewellery
- Clean, Well-Finished Edges: A quality piece will have smooth finishes, no rough spots or sharp edges, and careful polishing.
- Secure Fastenings: Clasps, earring backs and other moving parts should feel solid, close securely, and be suitable for the size of the pieces they are securing. If a clasp feels flimsy, then it probably is.
- Symmetry & Detail: Even handmade pieces should have good proportions and clear attention to detail. Stones should be set straight, pieces should hang in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way, and design elements balanced.
- Consistent Branding: Reputable designers take pride in presentation, from packaging to product names and photography. This care is usually reflected in the jewellery itself.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Vague or Overly Generic Listings: If a product description doesn't say what it's made from or who designed it, that's a sign to tread carefully.
- Inconsistent Photography: If product photos vary wildly across the store in terms of lighting and presentation, then there's a fair chance they weren't taken by the store selling the items. Either they are reselling mass-produced products or the images are stolen and the store is more of a scam.
- Suspiciously Low Prices: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Precious metals and quality craftsmanship come at a cost - and that's a good thing.
- Plated Base Metals (Unlabelled): Some cheaper jewellery is made from brass, nickel or mystery metals with a thin gold or silver coating. These may tarnish or cause skin reactions and flash plating can wear off quickly.
- No Contact Details, Business Info, or Policies: The lack of a return policy, business address, ABN or similar business registration details, along with difficulties in making contact with a store are major red flags.
I highly recommend you take a look at our handy guide to How To Buy Jewellery Safely Online for our top tips.
Ready to Find Jewellery You'll Truly Love?
Choosing quality Australian jewellery isn't just about what looks good: it's about finding pieces that reflect your personal style, align with your values, and are made to last. Whether you're investing in a timeless design or picking out a special gift, taking a little extra care when shopping will help you find jewellery you'll cherish for years to come.
At Simone Walsh Jewellery, we're proud to offer thoughtfully designed, high quality pieces made with care. From everyday favourites to meaningful gifts, there's something here to suit every style and budget.
Simone Walsh is a 
