Sustainability + Ethics
Sustainability might be a buzzword of our time, but it’s a cause that has always been close to my heart.
I was born and raised in a breathtakingly remote part of Western Australia, on Banjima Country beneath the beautiful Jarndunmunha. I now call regional North Queensland, Gimuy, home.
Growing up, the land was my best friend. It shaped so much of who I am, which makes it incredibly important to me that my business respects and cares for the places we call home.
As a small Australian business, I’m passionate about supporting other Australian makers and suppliers wherever I can, and about creating my work in our naturally beautiful country.
I also believe that transparency matters. So, I want to give you a closer look at how my jewellery is made, the materials I use, and the choices behind each piece.
✩ SoaC is a one-person studio, which means every piece passes through my hands from beginning to end. I design each piece, shape and refine the wax, finish the cast metal, set the stones and carefully package every order myself. It’s a deliberately small-scale approach that allows me to give each piece the time, care and attention it deserves.
✩ Because I make to order and in small batches, I don’t produce huge quantities of jewellery that may never find a home. Each piece is made with a person in mind.
Packaging:
✩ ✩ My mailer boxes are made in Australia from FSC-certified e-flute cardboard and are 100% recyclable.
✩ I use recycled paper shred to pack my boxes, which is biodegradable and compostable.
Tools and Studio:
✩ I repair, maintain and reuse my tools wherever possible rather than constantly replacing them.
✩ My work is cast, meaning only the specific amount of metal needed is used. All production scraps are saved and refined/recycled.
✩ I cast into recycled sterling silver and gold.
✩ The silver clay I use is made from 100% recycled silver - mainly offcuts from the photography and x-ray industries.
I source gemstones from all over the world, from established and trusted suppliers to handpicking one-of-a-kind stones at local markets and gem shows.
I love the process of searching for stones: discovering unusual colours, unexpected inclusions and beautiful shapes that can inspire an entirely unique piece.
I work with both natural and lab-grown gemstones. The origin is crucial - I always prioritise stones with clear information around their sourcing and provenance.
Natural diamonds are sourced in accordance with the Kimberley Process, the international certification scheme established to help prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade.
Where possible, I also seek additional information about a stone’s origin and journey, because I believe transparency should go beyond simply being labelled “conflict-free.”
For independently graded diamonds, I seek documentation from recognised gemological laboratories like IGI. Their reports provide detailed information about a diamond’s characteristics, including the four Cs: colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.
I love working with sapphires and coloured stones. I look for suppliers who are transparent about origin and treatments. I do favour Australian sapphires to support local where I can. My favourite ethical supplier for unique diamonds and sapphires is Misfit Diamonds.
I am passionate about Australian opals and love sourcing phenomenal lightning ridge and boulder opals. I have trusted working relationships with Smart Opals and Precious Time Opals.
✩ I’m not interested in making as much jewellery as possible, as quickly as possible. I’d rather make fewer pieces and give each one the time and attention it deserves.
✩ I believe in making jewellery that lasts. Rather than following fast-fashion trends, my designs are made to be worn, loved and eventually passed down.