Award-Winning Hiddenite Ring
Commissioned by a regular client who admired Matthew’s work, this one-of-a-kind dress ring began with an exceptional 8.3 carat cushion-cut hiddenite selected from our gemstone collection.
The client wanted something special made for herself and gave Matthew full creative freedom. He designed and hand-fabricated the ring in 18ct yellow gold and platinum, combining intricate fleur-de-lis motifs, pierced gallery work and hand-twisted platinum claws.
After completion, the ring was entered into the 2018 Australian Jewellery Design Awards, where it received the Directors Cut Award.
Winner – Directors Cut Award, Australian Jewellery Design Awards 2018
Recognition:
Design Development & Brief
The design began with the gemstone. The client selected an 8.3 carat cushion-cut hiddenite from our collection, drawn to its unusual yellow-green colour and distinctive character.
Rather than arriving with a fixed design, she trusted Matthew to create something unique around the stone. With full creative freedom, the goal was to design a ring worthy of the hiddenite while showcasing detailed hand-fabrication skills.
The design developed into a bold dress ring with historical jewellery influences, architectural ornamentation, fleur-de-lis motifs, scrollwork and hand-twisted platinum claw details. Every element was considered to support the large gemstone, allow light into the stone from multiple angles and create a piece that felt special from every view.
The design developed around the hiddenite, with Matthew using the gemstone’s scale, colour and character as the starting point for the ring’s structure and decorative detailing.
Inside the Workshop
This ring was fabricated by hand from individual pieces of yellow gold and platinum. The gallery was pierced and shaped by hand, decorative fleur-de-lis elements were individually formed and fitted, and the twisted platinum claws were created specifically for the hiddenite.
The mixed-metal construction required careful assembly and finishing to ensure the decorative elements flowed seamlessly into the overall design. The result is a piece that showcases traditional bench skills alongside contemporary gemstone design.
The Finished Piece
The completed ring combines an rare collector gemstone with intricate hand-fabricated detailing.
The soft yellow-green hiddenite is framed by platinum decorative elements and hand-twisted claws, creating contrast against the warmth of the yellow gold. The finished piece feels bold, detailed and highly individual without overwhelming the gemstone at its centre.
After completion, the ring was entered into the Australian Jewellery Design Awards and received the Directors Cut Award, recognising the craftsmanship, design development and technical execution behind the piece.
Completed hiddenite ring with fleur-de-lis details and hand-twisted platinum claws.
Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum
Feature Stone: 8.3ct Cushion-Cut Hiddenite
Design Elements: Fleur-de-lis details, pierced gallery & hand-twisted platinum claws
Technique: Hand Fabrication & Stone Setting
Award: Directors Cut Award — Australian Jewellery Design Awards 2018
Style: Award-Winning Bespoke Dress Ring
Project Details
Hiddenite of this size and colour is rarely seen in fine jewellery, making this project an opportunity to design around a truly distinctive centre stone.
By combining traditional hand-fabrication techniques with mixed-metal construction and intricate decorative detailing, the finished piece became both a showcase of craftsmanship and a celebration of the gemstone itself. Recognition through the Australian Jewellery Design Awards further highlighted the originality and technical achievement of the design.
Award-winning design
8.3ct cushion-cut hiddenite
Handmade in 18ct yellow gold and platinum
Hand-twisted platinum claws
Fleur-de-lis detailing
Pierced gallery work
Fully fabricated at the bench