Our Team
LARSEN JEWELLERY SYDNEY
Kevin, Manager & Head Jeweller
I started a jewellery apprenticeship when I was 15 years old. I have loved the journey it has taken me on, which I never expected it to do. I have been fortunate to not only work on some amazing pieces here in Australia but also abroad. I have been a finalist and made many award winning pieces for Australian and international design awards. After some time in London, working with some major fashion labels I was based in Greece, teaching jewellery at a fine art college in Athens. My favourite jewellery piece is an antique Tibetan amulet. I like it so much because we still use the same techniques now to how it was made so long ago.
Francois, Assistant Manager & Senior Jeweller
Being the current heir of three generations of traditional jewellery makers has given me the opportunity to grow up in a stimulating and inspiring environment, exposed to warm colourful gems and unique designs. Starting my jewellery journey at the young age of 14, I undertook different courses in order to satisfy my curiosity. Exploring a variety of techniques such as enamelling, diamond setting, diamond grading and embracing technology applied to jewellery with cad software. I like the concept of jewels as something meaningful that carries ancient traditions. Something to hand down through generations; a unique form of art. Born and raised in Rome, Italy, the importance of art history, both classical and renaissance is ingrained in my passion for design.
Kate, Senior Jeweller
From a very young age, I have always had a fascination with jewellery. The more detailed and intricate a piece is, the more I feel drawn to it. I started my apprenticeship in Melbourne in 1997 and have never looked back. I love working with clients to continually evolve and personalise classic designs but my favourite challenges come with the pieces inspired by an out-of-the-box request or a unique concept. My favourite piece of jewellery is my white gold, apricot sapphire ring. The design was influenced by an Art Deco brooch I found in an old auction catalogue.
Nicole, Jewellery & CAD Designer
I joined the Larsen team in September 2014, following my move from Ireland. I began my career in 2004 at The Glasgow School of Art in Scotland, where I studied my 3 year Bachelor of Arts Honour’s Degree in Silversmithing and Jewellery Design. Following this I moved back to my hometown to work as a jeweller for the next 7 years. I recently became qualified in ‘Practical Diamond Grading’, with the hope of also studying Gemmology in the future. In the past year I’ve used my experience as a jeweller to transition to the Computer Aided Design department, fulfilling design requests from both our stores by producing 3 dimensional models and photo-realistic renderings for clients. My favourite piece of jewellery is my gold abacus pendant, given to me as a gift from my grandparents as a small child.
Jessica, Jeweller
I completed my Jewellery & Design degree in Montreal, Canada and began my career in the jewellery industry in 2006. Following graduation, I worked alongside renowned contemporary jewellers whilst pursuing my professional education with specialised techniques such as watchmaking, CAD design, gemmology, electro-plating and engraving. I had my own contemporary jewellery line for the past 8 years in addition to teaching in two jewellery schools in Montreal. Striving for new personal and professional challenge, I left Canada at the beginning in 2015 and travelled around Australia before I joined the Larsen team later that year. I like to capture the moment when my customer opens the tiny box and discovers the jewellery they designed with me. At that very moment, when they smile, I can picture the essence of their love and happiness. This is the reason why making jewellery is still my passion after all these years.
Christopher, Jewellery Designer
I have had a genuine connection with jewellery from a very young age and often my afternoons after school were spent looking in jewellery shop windows. I’m not sure what it was that initially drew me towards them, but I have always had a fine eye for detail and an exceptional sense of colour. I have now been involved in the jewellery industry coming up to 25 years, in which time I have worked across numerous roles within jewellers manufacturing for some of Australia’s leading jewellery houses; including as Sales Manager, Workshop Manager, Valuer and Head Designer. I am an accredited Diamond Grader with the Gemmological Institute of America and have been privileged to work under the guidance of the Head Designer for Van Cleef & Arpels, Mr Robert Aherens. I have been lucky enough throughout my career to design some amazing pieces with amazing diamonds. My career highlights include designing a magnificent diamond necklace which could be worn in six different configurations. Not only did it look spectacular but it was a feat of engineering at the same time. I was also one of only three designers chosen to design jewellery for the Versace retrospective that toured the world in 2000. I would define my style as classical luxe, with an Art Deco influence. The part of my job I enjoy most is the ability to genuinely connect with people and use my knowledge and experience to help our clients with such special pieces of jewellery. I also love having the most amazing coloured gems and diamonds pass over my desk on any given day!
Fiona, Studio Assistant
A creative at heart, I studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Sydney’s College of Fine Arts (COFA). There I worked with multiple artistic mediums such as sculpture and ceramics, with Jewellery design as my major. Loving everything about the jewellery process, I continued my education by completing a Rhino CAD course, as well as travelling to the central highlands of Mexico to spend many months learning from a master silversmith in his jewellery school. This hands-on experience confirmed my passion and adoration for diamonds and gemstones, as we met with suppliers multiple times a week selling magnificent stones from all over the world. I love that I get to regularly indulge this passion by sourcing beautiful stones for our clients.
LARSEN JEWELLERY MELBOURNE
Rod, Manager & Head Jeweller
I am a qualified Jeweller with 35 years’ experience. I first started in the jewellery trade in Melbourne at the age of 17, learning to make opal jewellery. I am still very fond of the gemstone but my other favourite gemstones are Rubies and diamonds. I also have completed a course in diamond grading. I have been with the company since it first commenced in Melbourne in 2010. I am passionate about delivering our clients with exceptional quality pieces of jewellery that will be cherished for years to come, with the potential to become a family heirloom! My favourite piece of jewellery would be my wedding ring, made from an old antique wedding band of 16ct rose gold. I have a keen interest in searching for gold in its raw form and it’s this love of the natural raw form that I have reflected into my wedding ring, finished with a natural gold nugget appearance.
Pol, Assistant Manager & Senior Jeweller
I have over 17 years’ experience in the jewellery industry. Starting as an apprentice learning several hand making techniques, I soon was managing workshops, guiding apprentices and jewellers alike. After running a trade workshop for 8 years, I continued my jewellery education with high end jewellery sales. I have now joined the Larsen team as Assistant Manager to oversee production and to further my knowledge of the industry. My favourite piece of jewellery is an award piece, which was featured in the JAA (Jewellery Association of Australia) awards when I was an apprentice. It’s a ladies necklace made in 18ct white and yellow gold, with diamonds and a marquise cut Parti sapphire.
Elissa, Jewellery Designer
I have been working in the jewellery industry for 14 years. My passion for jewellery started at a very young age making beaded jewellery. Once I finished high school I began a Bachelor of Fine Art Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT before completing my jewellery making apprenticeship and diamond grading certificate. I love helping my clients design the perfect engagement ring, I feel very privileged to be involved in such a special time in their lives. My favourite piece of jewellery is my engagement ring which I designed myself.
Fleur, Jewellery Designer
Jewellery design has been my passion for over 21 years in the industry. I have a strong understanding of form and aesthetic beauty in jewellery. Knowing the importance of design and quality of manufacture have on the final product. My goal everyday is to create a classic and elegant piece of jewellery for each individual that will be timeless throughout the years. My jewellery knowledge has been gained by working in many various jewellery fields but mainly focusing on creating collections, and procurement of jewellery items ensuring the best product is available at the right time. I am very proudly South African, a country which has influenced me greatly by its beauty and diversity. My favourite piece of jewellery is a blue topaz and diamond pendant my father designed with me and specially got it manufactured. It is held close to my heart every day.
Alex, Jeweller
I’ve been in the industry since starting my apprenticeship in Brisbane in 1998, where I was trained in both hand making and bespoke design. I have been a ‘Jewellers Association of Australia Design Awards’ finalist five times, and won the category of coloured gemstone in 2006. Jewellery is a family industry for me, and I am second generation as both a retailer and tradesman. After 17 years in my hometown I moved to Sydney in late 2014 to be a part of Larsen Jewellery. A little while afterwards I moved to Victoria and joined our Melbourne studio. I love creating jewellery for the individual, something that they and only they possess. I like to think out of the box but also have respect for the classic, often putting a modern twist on the tried and tested. My favourite piece is my black diamond ring I made for the 2014 JAA awards.
Kirra-lea, Jeweller
I have been in love with making jewellery for over 10 years. My visual arts education allows me to bring a lot of creativity and innovation to my jewellery designs. During my apprenticeship I entered the DGA (Diamond Guild of Australia) design awards in 2013 and 2015, winning my category the first year and placed as finalist the next. With my fine jewellery training and my artistic background I am capable of making wearable art that is beautiful, practical and durable. My favourite piece of jewellery is my wave ring “Terribilis Unda” made for the 2015 DGA design awards; I was inspired by the Japanese painting “The Great Wave” .
Ben, Jeweller
Having started my apprenticeship when I was 15, and just reached my 30th year in the trade, I have experienced and applied many forms of the trade from the very traditional to the latest and most up to date trade techniques. The art of making jewellery continues to fascinate me and to use those skills on a daily basis to manufacture a piece for a client is always satisfying. I have made and repaired all forms of Jewellery from classic everyday pieces to very artistic, high end, bespoke designs, using all matter of precious materials and gems to create these pieces. I have even restored some antique Australian heritage pieces for the West Australian Arch Bishop of the Anglican Church. I generally like the challenge of doing something that is a little different. Although I don’t have one single piece of jewellery that is a favourite of mine, there are quite a few that stay special to me for reasons of challenge, sentimentality or sheer beauty of design.
Rachel, Studio Assistant
I have been working in the jewellery industry since 2013, I began manufacturing costume jewellery in Queensland and Victoria however my passion has always been in custom made fine jewellery. Having completed my Retail Diamond Consultant course I have a strong interest in diamonds and also coloured gemstones, especially in sapphires. My favourite piece of jewellery is a beautiful hand carved Cameo pendant gifted to me by mother.