Melbourne-based jewellery label Black Finch emphasises ethical practices and custom handmade design. Jeweller Raymond de Zwart and creative partner Davina Adamson use post-consumer gold (that is, gold derived from old jewellery that’s been put through a refiner) and conflict-free diamonds and sapphires sourced from Australia, Sri Lanka and Madagascar, among other countries.

At the flagship store in Collingwood you’ll find unique pieces with gems of all colours. When designing your own piece, De Zwart and Adamson encourage you to think about something personal you want incorporated into it. It might be a piece using different coloured stones to represent a loved one or a memory – like yellow sapphires (resembling cat eyes) to remember a pet, or colour-changing sapphires to evoke a storm over the sea. The metal used – with options such as yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold – can also vary, with the team taking into consideration factors like your skin tone and existing jewellery in your collection.

The studio and retail space was designed to reflect Black Finch’s practice. The furniture – from the seating to the display cabinetry – is bespoke to match the custom nature of the label’s pieces, while the colour scheme of soft lilacs and greens is meant to create a sense of comfort as you walk through the space. A second location on Sorrento’s main street brings the same service and philosophy to the Mornington Peninsula.