From Earth to Atelier

Curious as to how we source our stones? Our design team takes you behind the scenes of the process.

At Natalie Marie Jewellery, ever piece we craft begins with intention. From the moment an idea takes shape in our Avalon Atelier, to the careful selection of materials that bring it to life, each decision is fuelled by purpose. Central to this process is our approach to sourcing stones – a journey that is as thoughtful as the designs themselves.

We work with a trusted network of suppliers, both locally and internationally, who share our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. The process is never rushed, and some stones take time to find (the perfect cut, the rarest hue) but that patience is what makes the final creation so special.

Whether it’s an heirloom-quality diamond, a delicately hued sapphire, or a custom-cut gemstone chosen for its unique character, every stone tells a story. And when it finally reaches your hands, it becomes part of yours.

Hear from our head designer, Shona Munro, as she shares more about the art and intention behind sourcing stones for our collections.

We work with a trusted network of suppliers, both locally and internationally, who share our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. The process is never rushed, and some stones take time to find (the perfect cut, the rarest hue) but that patience is what makes the final creation so special.

Whether it’s an heirloom-quality diamond, a delicately hued sapphire, or a custom-cut gemstone chosen for its unique character, every stone tells a story. And when it finally reaches your hands, it becomes part of yours.

Hear from our head designer, Shona Munro, as she shares more about the art and intention behind sourcing stones for our collections.

What qualities do you look for in a stone, beyond its aesthetic appeal?

We always seek to source the highest quality stones, which means prioritising premium cuts and exceptional clarity – defining elements which go beyond simple aesthetics. We seek out stones which are unique in nature, to complement our design vision, often choosing stones which sit outside of the typical industry favourites. 

Strength and durability is an important consideration, as we are designing for longevity, always. We refer to the MOH’s hardness scale for each stone under consideration, as well as considering a stone’s stability in relation to environmental exposures. 

Perhaps most importantly though, what we look for is assurances around the stone’s provenance and its path to the market. We prioritise stone choices which allow us transparency around their origin, and where this may not be clear, we partner with our trusted suppliers to seek out assurances in regard to sourcing. We closely follow the Responsible Jewellery Council’s framework for Due Diligence across our entire supply chain, ensuring we are making responsible stone selections on behalf of our clientele. We are uniquely fortunate in Australia to have access to some of the world’s most beautiful natural gemstones and diamonds, for which mining practises are closely and carefully regulated. 

What qualities do you look for in a stone, beyond its aesthetic appeal?

We always seek to source the highest quality stones, which means prioritising premium cuts and exceptional clarity – defining elements which go beyond simple aesthetics. We seek out stones which are unique in nature, to complement our design vision, often choosing stones which sit outside of the typical industry favourites. 

Strength and durability is an important consideration, as we are designing for longevity, always. We refer to the MOH’s hardness scale for each stone under consideration, as well as considering a stone’s stability in relation to environmental exposures. 

Perhaps most importantly though, what we look for is assurances around the stone’s provenance and its path to the market. We prioritise stone choices which allow us transparency around their origin, and where this may not be clear, we partner with our trusted suppliers to seek out assurances in regard to sourcing. We closely follow the Responsible Jewellery Council’s framework for Due Diligence across our entire supply chain, ensuring we are making responsible stone selections on behalf of our clientele. We are uniquely fortunate in Australia to have access to some of the world’s most beautiful natural gemstones and diamonds, for which mining practises are closely and carefully regulated. 

How does the sourcing process influence the final design of a piece?

In my design process, sourcing comes after the initial idea, but before the development of the design. I will always take my time when sourcing, often viewing multiple stones until I find the perfect piece. I’m looking for the highest levels of quality and then that extra special something that catches my eye, or takes my breath away. When designing with a diamond, or any stone for that matter, we always take the unique characteristics of the stone into consideration. When I am developing the design, I am always looking to the stone to inform the design of the piece: both from an aesthetic and structural standpoint. Based on the unique characteristics I will make choices around setting style, metal or additional stone pairings or further design details; in order to best highlight its own unique beauty. When working with stones, it’s the other materials job to make the stone the best it can be. 

How does the sourcing process influence the final design of a piece?

In my design process, sourcing comes after the initial idea, but before the development of the design. I will always take my time when sourcing, often viewing multiple stones until I find the perfect piece. I’m looking for the highest levels of quality and then that extra special something that catches my eye, or takes my breath away. When designing with a diamond, or any stone for that matter, we always take the unique characteristics of the stone into consideration. When I am developing the design, I am always looking to the stone to inform the design of the piece: both from an aesthetic and structural standpoint. Based on the unique characteristics I will make choices around setting style, metal or additional stone pairings or further design details; in order to best highlight its own unique beauty. When working with stones, it’s the other materials job to make the stone the best it can be. 

Is there a particular stone you’ve sourced that holds a special story?

I am so lucky to spend much of my time searching for beautiful stones to tell our customer’s stories. If I had to pick one, I’m currently enchanted by some very special Australian Origin Champagne Diamonds I have sourced for an upcoming collection. I love to work with Australian Stones, it is a privilege to draw upon the material we so gratefully take from the earth we call home. The collection we have built is an ode to our process and to the beauty of nature. The designs have been built to showcase these incredible diamonds to their full potential, celebrating their range and diversity in colour, and championing their magnificent sparkle. 

What does ethical and sustainable sourcing mean to NMJ, and how does it shape your approach?

Sourcing responsibly is at the core of every decision we make at NMJ. Often, this results in a much longer and windier road travelled to launch product, but we will never compromise this promise to our customers. It is of the utmost importance to us, to source with as much responsibility and transparency as possible: for us, the suppliers we work with and for our customers. We choose only to work with our trusted network of suppliers, who each hold stringent quality control procedures, in the interest of bringing only the best materials to our customers. This process allows us to manage our impact, on the earth and the communities involved in bringing this material into our hands and is something we will strive to keep improving and championing change in this space.

What does ethical and sustainable sourcing mean to NMJ, and how does it shape your approach?

Sourcing responsibly is at the core of every decision we make at NMJ. Often, this results in a much longer and windier road travelled to launch product, but we will never compromise this promise to our customers. It is of the utmost importance to us, to source with as much responsibility and transparency as possible: for us, the suppliers we work with and for our customers. We choose only to work with our trusted network of suppliers, who each hold stringent quality control procedures, in the interest of bringing only the best materials to our customers. This process allows us to manage our impact, on the earth and the communities involved in bringing this material into our hands and is something we will strive to keep improving and championing change in this space.