Our Team
LARSEN JEWELLERY SYDNEY
Christopher, Manager
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!
John, Workshop Manager & Head Jeweller
My introduction to the jewellery industry started when I was eight years old. My father used to take me to our family friend’s jewellery store to visit and this is where my passion began. From this point onward, nothing could stop me from pursing my new found passion for jewellery. I fondly remember trying to make rings out of copper wire and taking diamantes from my mother’s dressmaking studio to glue together to create rings. I’ve now been dedicated to the jewellery industry since 1998. I’m very passionate about one off custom made pieces that we create for our clients. Overseeing this process is very rewarding and fulfilling for me. My favourite piece of jewellery is my wife’s engagement and wedding ring set. We sat down and designed it together, before I personally hand-made it. It features a beautiful princess cut diamond, bezel set with a grain set halo and made in 18ct white gold. The wedding ring is fitted around the base of the engagement ring and is also grain set with diamonds.
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 Designer
I joined the Larsen team in September 2014, following my big move from Ireland all the way to Sydney, Australia. 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 silver-smithing and jewellery design. Following this I moved back to my hometown on the north coast of Ireland, to work as a jeweller for the next 7 years. My inspiration comes from the beauty I see all around in love and nature. What I love most about my line of work is being able to be a part of such a special moment in people’s lives. Being able to share that memory with couple’s who are so very much in love, from their initial engagement right through to their wedding day. This makes my job a very happy and rewarding one indeed. The most special piece of jewellery I own is my 18ct Gold Abacus Pendant – brought back to me from China as a gift from my grandparents when I was a small child. I only started to wear it recently when I found it in an old drawer as I was relocating to Australia. It’s funny how these things become more treasured as we become older.
Natalie, Jeweller
My affinity with jewellery began at a young age. I would follow my parents around their fashion jewellery shops and various market stalls, wearing everything I could and talking to the customers. After school I would sit with my parents around the dining table and assemble necklaces and earrings that would then be sold in their shops. My direction changed after graduation where I diverged into a retail management career, until I discovered I was drawn to designing and creating jewellery. A change of state followed, to see me complete an Advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design in Sydney. Soon after I was entering contemporary jewellery exhibitions across Australia. I grew to love a romantic medieval aesthetic, paired with the beautiful decorative details of hand engraving. Larsen Jewellery offered me a position in 2010 and I have enjoyed being part of the Larsen family for the past eight years; during which time I had a family of my own. I have seen many beautiful pieces of jewellery come through our studio. I think the most satisfying part for me is being part of the significant process that connects a piece of jewellery to an individual’s personality, and as something that they will wear for life.
Anna, Jeweller
After walking past a jewellery workshop at the age of 17, I instantly knew that it was what I wanted to do. I began my training at the Peter Minturn Goldsmith School in New Zealand where after 3 years of extensive training, gained a diploma in Jewellery and Gold Smithing. I spent the following years designing and hand-making bespoke jewellery while working alongside renowned contemporary New Zealand jewellers, before making a move to Berlin, Germany where I spent time working for a major jewellery designer. In 2017 I returned to the southern hemisphere where I joined the Larsen team. Jewellery holds a very sentimental value to people which is treasured and often passed down through generations. Designing a piece of jewellery with a customer and being a part of the process to the end is extremely rewarding.
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.
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.
Sarina, Jeweller
After completing an Advanced Diploma in gold and silversmithing in 2001, I decided to undertake an apprenticeship in jewellery and became a trade-qualified jeweller in 2005. I have worked with many aspects of jewellery, from custom making bespoke pieces to restoring antique jewels. I love creating pieces of jewellery with beautiful form. One of my favorite things is working with coloured gemstones, creating designs that enhance and compliment the unique shape and colour of each individual gem. My love of coloured and unusual gems led me to also become a qualified Gemmologist in 2006. I feel very privileged to take part in such special moments in people’s lives and am happy to be making meaningful pieces that people will hold dear; not only for their lifetime, but also for generations to come. My favorite piece of jewellery is my engagement and wedding ring set. It features a pear-shaped diamond set in rose gold with pink sapphires, set into a white gold band. The wedding ring is fitted around the base of the pear shape and also set with pink sapphires.
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.
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.
Jarrad, Jeweller
Jewellery is only limited by your imagination. This alone could be the reason that I became a Jeweller. I have been a Jeweller since 2003 and love every component of the designing and making process. My favourite moments are when our clients collect their pieces, and I get to see the happiness our jewellery has created for them. Creating art and designing have always been a big part of my life, and I am further inspired by the professional team here at Larsen. My favourite piece of jewellery is my wife’s engagement ring, which I created in 2007. An Oval pink sapphire in the centre, with diamonds set in triangular plates on the shoulders. It was the first engagement ring that I made in its entirety, and I am still very proud of the quality of workmanship I achieved.
Shaun, CAD Designer
I have been designing jewellery with 3D design software for more than 10 years. I began studying Jewellery Arts in my hometown of Toronto, Canada at a college that specialised in handcrafting jewellery. After graduating the BGC 3 year course with honours, I started my career working on the bench as a Jeweller at a major Canadian casting house. After a short while, I took the opportunity to expand on my design skills by working in their CAD department. I liked the challenge and thrill of being able to help make a conceptual design come to life, and I fell in love with the combination of technology and artistic creativity that jewellery CAD has to offer. I love working closely with both the Sydney and Melbourne teams here at Larsen Jewellery, to help make the designer’s ideas take shape into their final forms. It is always rewarding to see something that begins as a sketch, become a beautifully crafted piece of jewellery. My favourite piece of jewellery will always be the latest one that I create for my wife, which this year is an 18k yellow gold band with blue sapphire baguettes and princess cuts, which together spell “LOVE” in Morse code.
