We are excited to share the New Moon range within our Furneaux Collection.
The hero of this range is the Tasmanian black spinel (often known as 'blackjack'). Plucked by hand from the watery depths of rivers in northern Tasmania, the beauty of this stone is often overlooked. However, once cut and refined by expert craftspeople, its bewitching allure is unmatched.
Through our Furneaux Collection, we have explored the radiance of the moon and stars, with our Luna and Stella pieces...
Now, inspired by the ink black colour of the spinel, we want to pay homage to the beauty that lies in the darkest of nights as the moon's light wanes.
The spinel featured in our New Moon range has been fossicked from rivers in northern Tasmanian. Historically, this gemstone has often been collected by those in search of sapphires, but discarded as it is seen as rough and worth nothing. However, when cut and polished, its naturally mesmerising allure shines through and makes it ideal to use in fine jewellery.
If you love black sapphire or black diamond, Tasmanian black spinel is a wonderful option to achieve a similar visual effect, while being sourced from our own backyard.
Black spinel has a hardness of 8.0 on the Moh's scale of hardness, making it ideal for everyday wear. With the right care, it should last a lifetime.
Despite being ranked highly for durability, we still recommend treating your spinel with with the same love and care as other treasured pieces of jewellery.
Learn our 5 steps for simple jewellery care HERE.
Tasmania's rugged coastline is rife with beautiful shells and aquatic treasures and we've spent many an hour strolling the shores and pondering their beauty. Our Marine Collection pays homage to a few of our favourite Tasmanian seashells:
A symbol of connection
To us, this shell symbolises connection - found on sandy shores where land meets sea. Where steady meets volatile. Where tides rise and fall, compelled by the push and pull of atmospheric forces beyond our control.
A symbol of innate endurance
Shells also have a wonderful meaning unto themselves. They are a hard, protective outer layer, encasing a soft creature within.
Doesn't that feel like all of us at times, trying to find balance between self-reliance and vulnerability? Like the creatures that dwell in these shells, we each have an innate survival instinct which allows us to thrive despite adverse circumstances.
Nature's beauty
On a more practical level, we were also enchanted by the mariner shell's beauty, and the uninterrupted, feminine curvature of its spiral form. It's also a very small shell, easily missed, unless you're completely devoted to finding natures tiny treasures.
Like all our other collections of fine jewellery, this collection is handcrafted with care by artisans, right here in our Tasmanian workshop.
]]>Our jewellery is carefully created, made for considerate consumption.
Here are our reasons why:
Our jewellery is priced fairly year-round. You can trust that all those who have touched your jewellery receive fair compensation for their skill. We also source quality materials from trustworthy suppliers whose prices tend to remain consistent.
Our jewellery is crafted locally in our workshop, and in many cases, pieces are made to order. Because our jewellery is not mass-produced overseas, we only create what we need and don't keep an excess of stock on hand.
We are conscious of the negative impact consumerism has on our planet. To us, jewellery should hold special meaning in the heart of its wearer. It should last a lifetime and be passed from generation to generation without ending up in landfill.
During this season, we encourage you to consume consciously, seek out local small businesses to support, and to take a moment to reflect upon the special people in your life.
Best wishes from the bottom of the world...
The Tasmania by Claudia Team
]]>Here are our top tips to help you care for your jewellery:
Whether it's a ring, necklace, bracelet, or earrings, cleaning the stone in your jewellery regularly is the best way to keep it shining. As you wear your jewellery, dirt, creams, hairspray and even the oil from your skin can build up around the stone and reduce its natural sparkle.
Even if your jewellery doesn't have a stone (for example, like our Nothofagus Collection), it's still important to keep it clean.
We've written a whole article on how to clean your jewellery, available here.
If your jewellery has a stone, it's a good idea to bring it in for its annual day spa with us. Cleaning is free of charge and can be done while you wait.
Accidental knocks or bumps can chip or scratch the gold in your jewellery, and even loosen the stone from its setting. That's why we recommend that you always remove jewellery items before doing housework (especially dishes, or anything that involves chemicals), gardening, and exercising.
Put your jewellery up in 5 star accomodation when it's not being worn. Invest in a jewellery box, and ensure each piece has its own compartment to avoid the risk of pieces scratching each other.
When it comes to earrings and necklaces, it's always best to remove them before going to sleep. Necklace chains and earrings are especially prone to becoming misshapen or damaged if pressure is applied on them while you're sleeping.
If you have any questions about how to best care for your jewellery, we'd love to hear from you.
A symbol of connection
To us, this shell symbolises connection - found on sandy shores where land meets sea. Where steady meets volatile. Where tides rise and fall, compelled by the push and pull of atmospheric forces beyond our control.
A symbol of innate endurance
Shells also have a wonderful meaning unto themselves. They are a hard, protective outer layer, encasing a soft creature within.
Doesn't that feel like all of us at times, trying to find balance between self-reliance and vulnerability? Like the creatures that dwell in these shells, we each have an innate survival instinct which allows us to thrive despite adverse circumstances.
Nature's beauty
On a more practical level, we were also enchanted by the mariner shell's beauty, and the uninterrupted, feminine curvature of its spiral form. It's also a very small shell, easily missed, unless you're completely devoted to finding natures tiny treasures.
We hope you love it as much as we do.
Shop the 2021 Marine Charm here.
Each April, the Nothofagus Gunnii comes alive in a brilliant display known as the turning of the fagus. We created our 18K gold Nothofagus Collection to honour the enchanting natural beauty of this process.
What is the fagus?
If you're new around here, you may not know that the Nothofagus Gunnii (also known as 'fagus', 'Tasmanian beech' and 'tanglefoot') is Australia's only native cold weather deciduous tree. That's right, the only one... and to make it even more special, it only grows in a few select locations, right here on our island home - in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mount Field National Park.
What is the 'turning of the fagus'?
In April, the leaves turn from green, to brilliant gold, to vibrant red, before falling to the ground in a magnificent display known as the turning of the fagus. And so the process begins again.
The turning of the fagus is one of the most wonderful displays of natural beauty you could witness, and it's uniquely Tasmanian.
Our design philosophy
We created our Nothofagus Collection in 18K gold white, yellow and rose gold, to encapsulate changing colours of the fagus leaves. Like all our pieces, they are handled with meticulous care and love by our master jewellers here in our workshop.
Through these pieces we aim to encapsulate the wonder of our island's beauty and provide a token to connect the wearer with nature.
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We're excited to share the newest addition to our Furneaux Collection - the Blue Rocks range.
Blue Rocks is a special little corner of the earth, tucked away on the coastline of Flinders Island, in the Furneaux group. Our founder, Freya, spent many happy days there as a child combing the beach and discovering nature's wonderful treasures.
Our Blue Rocks range was inspired by the blue of the sea and the silver boulders that line the sandy shore. It is craft from 9K white gold and features a London Blue Topaz.
Shop the Blue Rocks Ring, Pendant and Drop Earrings online. We hope you love them as much as we do!
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Keeping your Killiecrankie Diamond ring clean is one of the best ways you can ensure it will last a lifetime. Learn how to recognise the signs that it's getting dirty, and how you can easily clean it at home.
]]>Keeping your Killiecrankie Diamond ring clean is one of the best ways you can ensure it will last a lifetime.
Over time, you may notice the stone beginning to look dull and less sparkly. This is because grease from our hands, or dirt and dust from our environment has become caught around the stone. This prevents light from refracting through the stone, making it appear less bright.
Keeping your Killiecrankie Diamond ring clean at home is easy. All you need is:
- A bowl of boiling water
- Dish detergent
- A clean toothbrush (or small clean makeup or painting brush)
- A clean towel
Add a drop of detergent to your bowl of water. Dip the ring and brush in the water, then gently scrub the top and bottom sides of the stone.
Scrubbing the underside of the stone, where it sits in the setting will help to break down grease that may have accumulates from skin and hand cream.
Pat the ring dry with a clean towel and it's ready to be worn.
We recommend that you take your ring off off while doing the dishes or gardening, or while at the gym. This will help to reduce wear and tear, so your ring lasts a lifetime.
How often you clean your ring will depend on how dirty it gets. If you wear it daily, consider cleaning it gently every week or two. If you wear it less frequently, be mindful to look out for signs that it may be becoming dull.
You welcome to bring your jewellery to our Sandy Bay store at any time. We will clean it in our ultrasonic cleaner while you wait, and will check the setting to make sure the stone is still securely in place.
It is not a real diamond, however the name ‘Killiecrankie Diamond’ has been used for many years because of its brilliance and resemblance to diamond, and its origin at Killiecrankie Bay.
Is Killiecrankie Diamond durable?
Topaz (Killiecrankie Diamond) is ranked 8 on Moh’s scale of hardness. This is ideal for a ring, as it won’t scratch or chip easily when worn regularly.
How big are the Killiecrankie Diamonds we use?
We use a 7mm stone for our Luna and Stella rings, which is approximately 1.5 carats.
What are its healing properties?
Topaz radiates gentle power that soothes, heals, stimulates, and recharges. It is said to bring an energy that will fill the wearer's life with abundance, peace, and joy.
It is fabled to be a talisman that promotes wisdom and connection to the spiritual realm.
What does 'karat' mean?
You may have heard the term ‘karat’ used in relation to gold (note the distinction from "carat" when referring to diamonds and stones). This refers to the gold content. The purest form is 24 karat (or 24K) gold, this is 100 percent gold. It is a soft metal, which is why when crafting jewellery, we mix it with other metals (making it an ‘alloy’) to make it harder and more durable. Rose gold has a larger copper component and white gold has a larger palladium content.
What is the difference between 9K and 18K gold?
18K alloy contains 75 percent gold content and 25 percent other metals, while 9K contains 37.5 percent gold and 62.5 percent other metals. Because of its higher gold content, 18K is synonymous with luxury and quality. Visually, the colour of yellow gold is richer and more vibrant and in the case of rose gold, softer and less coppery.
Can 9K and 18K gold be worn together?
If you're layering two necklaces with different gold content to wear as a one-off, or just during the day (for example, your Stella and mini Nothofagus necklaces), there should be no damage to either item.
However, if you're wearing two rings with different gold content, stacked next to each other for long periods of time, there is a risk of the 9K ring scratching the softer 18K piece. We recommend you avoid wearing them together like this.
Is 9K gold more durable?
There’s a common misconception that 9K gold is harder wearing because of its low gold content, however, this is not necessarily true. All metal will wear over time. This is why we recommend that all jewellery be worn mindfully (for example, not while lifting heavy objects, gardening, or at the gym).
Is white gold naturally white?
What you may know as white gold, is actually yellow gold which has been combined with another material, commonly rhodium. Over time this plating will wear away. We recommend that you bring your jewellery in regularly (at least a few times each year) to be cleaned and checked by our jewellers to ensure this lasts as long as possible.
White gold should be serviced and rhodium plated to retain the beautiful, wintery white appearance once approximately every 12-18 months.
If you your questions wasn't answered here, please get in touch with our team - we love to chat!
]]>Over the last few weeks, we have spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a global community. Our hearts go out to those who have been profoundly affected by this COVID-19 pandemic.
More than ever, as we continue to adapt to the uncertain times that lie ahead, we would like to say a big thank you to each of you for your ongoing loyalty and support.
People still have birthdays, people still fall in love, people still have loved ones to show appreciation to and give gifts to through all of this. We're here for you.
Safety Measures
We are still open for business, but continue to monitor the situation closely, taking it one day at a time to make sure we keep our team and customers safe.
We have implemented the following precautions in store:
New Business Hours
For the wellbeing of our staff and customers, our business hours will now be:
We will continue to keep you updated with information concerning operating hours and conditions.
Stay safe and look after your loved ones. 🖤
Alchemy is defined as the process of taking the ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary. Each year, this is precisely what happens in April. At this time the Tasmanian Central Highlands come to life with the changing colours of Tasmania’s last beech, a relic of the days of Gondwana. This process of alchemic beauty is known as the Turning of the Fagus.
Each year, On ANZAC day (25th of April), wanderers venture out into the ancient forests of the Tasmanian highlands in search of the Nothofagus Gunnii.
This is undeniably among the most enriching experiences one can have. To witness the Turning of the Fagus as its leaves change from emerald green to tawny russet and vibrant gold, before falling to the ground is to pay humble homage to the timeless evolution of the earth.
Inspired by the delicate mystique of Tasmania’s wilderness and our own awareness of the fragility of our environment, we have created the Nothofagus Collection.
To reflect the changing colours of the Turning, we have created the collection in 18k coppery rose gold, vibrant yellow gold and cool white gold.
As custodians of our island home, it is our greatest hope that the Nothofagus Collection will draw its wearer closer to the beauty of Tasmania and inspire them to strive for the preservation of its pristine wilderness.
To help further the conservation of Tasmania’s amazing natural environment, ten percent of each sale in April will be donated to the Wilderness Society. In producing this collection we have partnered with our friends, Jemima Phelps from Fiddle and Spoon, Hobart BMW and Smitten Merino.
]]>Our Furneaux Collection is the epitome of love. Our collection, showcasing the Killiecrankie diamond is sourced, designed and handcrafted with love and care. Each piece reflects the subtle beauty of its birthplace – Killiecrankie Bay in Flinders Island.
A secluded island. Treacherous waters. Rugged granite massifs. Silky sand. Hidden gemstones. Flinders Island is one of many the wild and untamed islands dotted across Bass Strait, home to the Killiecrankie diamond and the inspiration behind our Furneaux Collection.
For Scott and Freya, founders of Claudia Jewellers, Flinders Island is of particular significance as this is the place where their love story begins 25 years ago. From the beginning, it has been a desire of Freya and Scott to create a collection inspired by the place so dear to their hearts.
The Furneaux Collection brings together Scott and Freya’s shared passion for gems, luxury, quality and uniqueness, handcrafted in Tasmania and flawlessly showcases a Killiecrankie Diamond.
The Killiecrankie diamond is a topaz that washes up on the shores of Killiecrankie Bay and can be found by fossicking through the sand and shells of this pocket in the far North of Flinders Island.
As part of the Furneaux Collection, the Killiecrankie Diamond is nestled in 9K gold, crafted with as much care and character as the sea that delivers it to the coastline of Flinders Island.
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