A masterful artisan in her own right, Alex Patchett of Aurea Jewellery creates unique wedding rings with intentionality and intricacy. Her jewellery spills with symbolic meaning that is unbound by time and uninfluenced by trends to create pieces that draw on an enduring legacy to create future heirlooms.
In the midst of opening up her new Herne Bay Showroom and dreaming up beautiful collections, Alex Patchett shares a little insight into her world…
Tell us a bit about Aurea Jewellery and how the brand came to be.
I have been very creative from a very young age and have always loved and appreciated beautiful things. Aurea- (Orr-re-ya) which is Latin for “Golden” is a reflection of this.
I am a qualified goldsmith and have been hand making jewellery for 14 years. I have been fortunate enough to learn from some of the best in the industry. I took the leap to go out on my own and start Aurea in March 2021. This decision came after my younger brother passed away two months prior, which was absolutely devastating. This made me realise that life is so short and precious and to take risks and live life to the fullest.
Jewellery is a very emotionally rewarding industry to be in. Pouring my heart and soul into creating beautiful pieces of jewellery for the wearer to cherish forever is my why.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
I am a romantic and very floral inspired. Everything I create is intricately detailed and designed to be beautiful from every angle. Jewellery is a form of art for me, I love to make pieces that make my heart sing.
What inspires you creatively?
Being surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature. Being by the ocean is where I have my best ideas, or water in general- a lot of designs start from doodles on the shower glass.
I also love to draw inspiration from books on high end jewellery houses like Bulgari, Van Cleef and Graff as a starting point to create my own unique designs.
Describe your process when creating jewellery.
There is a lot of thought that goes into the construction of a piece of jewellery before I begin, I like to do technical drawings of the piece first so I can visualise how it will come together and work out step by step, how it needs to be made for a high quality finish.
I am a goldsmith so I work with the metal. I make pieces of jewellery to fit the diamonds and gemstones I am working with so it is important to create designs that showcase the gems and also keep them secure.
From here I will then begin hand making the piece of jewellery. There is a lot of love and attention to detail that goes into everything I create. Hand making jewellery is an ancient craft, there is a lot more work involved compared to mass produced jewellery that is pumped out of a factory that a lot of other places sell these days. With a handmade piece of jewellery, the finished product is of the highest quality and more durable, making it destined to be a future heirloom.
What are you drawn to in wedding jewellery right now?
I am loving fancy shaped diamond wedding bands, like ovals, emeralds, radiants and pears. I am also loving 3 stone style rings with a large centre diamond and pear or tapered baguette accent side stones.
What jewellery trends would you like to see less of in your industry?
Solitaire engagement rings with very skinny bands and a diamond plonked on top with no shoulder support. These styles are very prone to bending and the diamonds potentially falling out. They are not suitable for Kiwi woman who are very hands on and don’t like taking their rings off!
Tell us about the experience you offer to your clients.
The service I offer is a very personal experience, I am consultation based which means you can sit down, relax and not feel pressured by multiple sales people or customers in a shop.
Jewellery is a reflection of ourselves, so having a custom piece of jewellery made means you get to create something that is as unique as you. Jewellery also symbolises a special moment in time, which evokes memory and emotion every time the wearer looks at it, thus giving it immense sentimental value.
It is so fun to pick out your dream diamond or gemstone and have designs drawn by hand in front of you. I will guide you through this incredibly special process and discuss pros and cons of designs until we have designed the perfect piece.
There is also a misconception that a custom piece of jewellery is going to cost a fortune, this is simply not the case. We are working to your budget, and I will source diamonds and gemstones accordingly, without compromising on quality.
What advice can you give to couples when shopping for their engagement ring?
The craftsmanship is very important when choosing a ring that will be worn every day. Choose a jeweller that has a deep understanding of this and offers a manufacturing warranty for peace of mind. Invest in quality diamonds and gemstones that will hold value and become beautiful future heirlooms.
What’s next for Aurea Jewellery in 2024?
I have just opened my new showroom this year on Jervois road, Herne bay which was a huge milestone moment for me. Next on the horizon is continuing to grow the business with Brand recognition and also creating more incredible pieces for the showroom to showcase my designs that can’t be found anywhere else. I am looking forward to the Wild hearts wedding fair in July to meet new people and creating beautiful new relationships.
See more of Aurea Jewellery on the Vendor Collection here or by purchasing your tickets to our Auckland fair here...
