Before I introduce you to StyleRocks, I must first warn you (and your credit card) that jewellery making can be addictive! I caught up with StyleRocks founder Pascale Helyar-Moray to hear all about her incredible website, which allows you to design your jewellery exactly the way it looks in your dreams! Shiny, sparkly and oh so beautiful!
What was your inspiration behind beginning StyleRocks?
My husband offered to buy me a piece of jewellery to celebrate the birth of our twins, and being pregnant at the time, the last thing I wanted to do was spend a lot of time on my feet shopping, so I went online and couldn't find anything I liked in the metals I wear, or the stones I love. I didn't have the energy or time to visit a jeweller to create something, so – incredibly frustrated – I didn't buy anything.
After the babies were born and we'd relocated to Australia, I saw a website that offered the ability to design your fashion item as you wanted it. For the first time, I realised the technology was possible to do this sort of thing. I thought that the ability to design your own jewellery exactly as you want it was what I had been looking for, and so StyleRocks was born.
In my previous life, I was a financial services marketer working for blue chip financial institutions in London and Sydney. My strength was building brands and bringing products to market. I was also an excellent consumer of jewellery though! Bringing StyleRocks to market really combined my skill-sets with my passion.
Your incredible jewellery has been seen on stars such as Cate Blanchett. Who else would you absolutely love to see in Style Rocks?
Someone once said to me "If you aim for the moon, you just might catch a star along the way." What was funny is that when I started StyleRocks, I envisaged Cate Blanchett to be the epitome of the StyleRocks woman. Smart, independent, poised, elegant and someone who had really forged their own path and 'made it her own' (which is what StyleRocks allows you to do). So when Cate Blanchett wore her StyleRocks necklace, not only did it bring a dream to life – it was amazingly accurate that we had in fact caught a star!
In terms of who else embodies these qualities, I would have to say that the Duchess of Cambridge is someone I would love to see wearing StyleRocks. She is forging a unique path within very narrow confines and under some very challenging circumstances. Can you imagine extreme morning sickness in early pregnancy, for a number of weeks, with the world's media watching? How awful and awfully public. Not only does she just get on with it, she manages to do so while looking graceful and authentic – I think she really enjoys her new role in life. I would love to see the Duchess of Cambridge in StyleRocks, I think our Russian Ring necklaces would look nothing short of amazing on her.
They do say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but a gorgeous gemstone also makes for a pretty sidekick! Which is your favourite gemstone?
What's interesting is that what I like as gemstone doesn't always suit me. For example I adore morganite, which is a pale salmon pink colour. It looks best when set in rose gold but sadly neither of these colours work well against my skin. I find that that really strong colours such as emerald, sapphire, blue topaz, amethyst, pink sapphire, all suit me so as a result I opt for these.
What have been the most popular styles leading into summer?
Great question! We're certainly seeing more colourful gemstones being purchased and in bright colour combinations as we lead into summer. The pink sapphire cocktail ring in yellow gold is very popular right now.
Bucking seasonality is of course, pearl jewellery. Pearls just have a classic element that never goes out of style. We're selling a lot of beautiful – and slightly unusual – gold pendant necklaces with black pearls.
Where in Australia are the pieces made?
Everything is manufactured in Sydney, although of course gemstones can come from anywhere in the world. We do use Australia companies to source gemstones and pearls.
What is your favourite piece of jewellery that you own? And your dream piece?
This is like asking which is my favourite child! I would have to say that my lapis lazuli ring set in 9ct yellow gold is (currently) my favourite. People have actually stopped me in the street to ask me where I got it!
My other favourites are my tanzanite stud earrings with white drop pearl. The blue of the tanzanite is a remarkable cornflower blue, and again people – including other jewellers! – have stopped me to compliment them. You know you're on to a good thing when your peers are impressed!
As for my dream piece, we've just launched diamond engagement rings, and while I am married I certainly have my eye on one style, which could also very easily double as an eternity ring! It's called Lucia and of course comes in any metal colour, as well as three different diamond grades to suit your budget. Regardless of diamond grade, the size remains a generous 1 carat, so it's a real statement piece.
StyleRocks is giving one lucky Almost Famaus reader the chance to win a $100 gift voucher to put towards their own StyleRocks dream design! To win, simply comment below and tell us what your one of a kind jewellery design will look like. Good luck! Comp closes Sunday December 14th.
I would create the gorgeous Emerald Cut ring in Pink Sapphire! So pretty!
My one of a kind jewellery design looks like the StyleRocks silver crossover ring with white pearl because it is classic and will never go out of style.