Matthew Ely pairs imagination with unique design application and outstanding craftsmanship to create timeless engagement rings and wedding bands.
Renowned for his exquisite bespoke jewellery designs, Matthew Ely is a leading luxury jewellery designer and gemmologist in Australia. Using his expertise, comprehensive knowledge and ability to source some of the world’s rarest and most precious gems, Matthew Ely works closely with his clients to create stunning bespoke pieces that often become prized assets and treasured family heirlooms.
What are the origins of the Matthew Ely brand?
Matthew Ely has a strong family history in the jewellery industry. His parents owned a well-established jewellery business in Western Sydney, where Matthew grew up surrounded by precious stones and exquisite designs. Matthew’s childhood interest transformed into a professional passion that he pursued both at home and abroad, learning and refining his craft alongside some of the most experienced jewellery makers in the world.
Marking a significant turning point in his career, Matthew channelled his passion for design and creating custom pieces for his clientele into his own business venture. In 2014, Matthew Ely opened his own luxury boutique and workshop in Sydney’s leafy Eastern suburb of Woollahra, and has since established himself as leading luxury jewellery designer and gemmologist in Australia.
Where did Matthew Ely learn his trade?
Growing up in the jewellery industry, Matthew sparked an interest in jewellery design and production at a young age. At the age of 12, Matthew wrote an application to his parents asking for a position within their store. Advancing quickly to sales assistant, it was this role that allowed Matthew to interact with customers and helped foster an interest and passion for the jewellery trade. Within his first year of TAFE, Matthew won the World Skills award in New South Wales. His second year saw him go a step further, coming second in the Australia wide competition. This success saw Matthew awarded a scholarship from the Australian Overseas Foundation. Settling in London, Matthew was offered a chance to prove his worth at the Jacobs Jewellery manufacturing workshop. Working alongside some of the best in the industry, Matthew gained valuable experience and mastered his jewellery skills, with a focus placed on advanced techniques and the design of luxury pieces. Since returning home to Australia, Matthew has continued to refine his craft creating exquisite bespoke jewellery for his clientele.
What drew Matthew Ely to jewellery design?
Matthew Ely’s passion for design and keen interest in creating bespoke pieces propelled his desire to pursue a career in the jewellery industry. From his background, experience and skills, Matthew Ely developed a passion for creating unique pieces that are perfectly tailored to his clientele desires. Matthew Ely highly values the relationship between himself and his clients when creating custom pieces, transforming a client’s desires into the reality of an exquisite piece of jewellery.
What sets Matthew Ely’s jewellery apart?
Creating distinct bespoke pieces that feature immaculate design and craftsmanship is at the heart of Matthew Ely’s practice. Drawing on his experience and expert knowledge of the industry, gems and materials, Matthew Ely’s pieces are truly unique and unparalleled in terms of luxury and quality. Matthew Ely’s process of creating bespoke pieces for his clients is an outstanding concept that allows for personalisation and something more unique than your classic jewellery piece. For brides, Matthew Ely offers an exciting opportunity to design a new piece that is truly their own, as opposed to buying a ring that is ready-made in store and has perhaps been worn by multiple other brides.
What inspires the luxury jewellery designs?
Matthew Ely’s inspiration stems from a multitude of sources that contribute in unique ways to his luxurious collections. Overall he is extremely inspired by the art deco style, believing this style has influenced him to design a certain way and has therefore filtered down through his collections. In terms of bridal collections, his designs are clean and not over embellished, with the inspiration arising from creating an exquisite piece that possesses a sense of timeless elegance.
What makes Matthew Ely’s designs look fresh yet timeless?
Matthew Ely utilises exquisite gems to create pieces that are beautiful, yet simple and elegant, to deliver timeless pieces of jewellery. His expertise for continually sourcing the rarest gems from across the globe embodies the exceptional luxury of Matthew Ely’s pieces. Matthew Ely’s passion for creating bespoke pieces is reflective of his distinct approach to jewellery design, developing pieces that are timeless in quality and craftsmanship and reflect the desires of his sophisticated clientele.
Describe the Matthew Ely customer experience. What should couples expect?
The Matthew Ely customer experience is deeply personal and ultimately delivers a tailored design that meets the needs and desires of clients. Matthew Ely aims to evoke the kind of trust needed between a jeweller and his client to assure a smooth ring buying process. When creating a bespoke piece, Mathew begins by personally getting to know his clients by inviting them into the boutique for a one-on-one consultation. Once in the boutique clients are able to go into detail about what they’re looking for in their dream engagement ring or statement piece. Once clients have decided on their desired ring style, diamond (shape, cut, colour, clarity) and precious metal for the band, Mathew drafts various sketches of the piece so that they can visualise how the piece will likely look once complete. He tries to make these as realistic a representation as possible, believing it is crucial to ensure the end product closely resembles the dream piece that the client had in mind.
Advice from luxury jewellery designer, Matthew Ely
Advice for grooms on finding/creating the perfect ring to propose with:
Other than understanding what your bride will like, it’s important to consider the design aspects of your ring. Firstly, I’d suggest choosing a shape and design that suits the hand of your bride. Many couples are often unsure of what shape or design they’re exactly looking for, and if they do – this often differs quite significantly from the ring that they walk out with, so I think it’s crucial to try on a selection of rings.
Secondly, I recommend that grooms become familiar with the four C’s (colour, cut, clarity and carat weight), and discuss these characteristics with your jeweller so that you are familiar with the diamonds in your future ring. Consider your materials, each of which can alter the look, feel and value of your ring.
Your next step will be to decide on your preference both in taste and budget, and how each will work in conjunction with the overall ring design and diamonds chosen in your ring. Building a solid rapport with your jeweller will also help to ensure you walk away with your dream ring.
Finally, when creating your bespoke piece, try to incorporate personal touches that you know your bride will love and ensure that the piece you choose is what you believe to be the perfect expression of your unique love story.
How to make the most of trends while creating a timeless piece of jewellery:
Ultimately it’s important to create a ring that reflects your unique personality and style, whether this be traditional or reflective of current trends. I think introducing trends in a small way, such as the shape of your gem or colour of your setting, is a great way to create a stunning piece of jewellery that is on-trend but yet still exudes a timeless sophistication.
It’s also important to remember your wedding jewellery can be updated to suit contemporary styles, tastes and the latest fashion trends. We are seeing increasing numbers of wedded brides who may have opted for a simpler, classic engagement ring style a few years ago who are now looking to update their engagement ring to feature larger diamonds and more elaborate detailing.
Matthew Ely’s number one tip for finding the right wedding jewellery:
Consider a bespoke piece that truly reflects the love and connection you have for one another and one that you will be proud to present to your partner on your wedding day. Bespoke jewellery offers brides and grooms-to-be the opportunity to be involved in the creative process of designing and creating a unique piece with their partner. I think being involved in that process and ending up with a ring that you know is unlike any other, and that you’re sure to cherish forever, makes bespoke jewellery an extremely worthwhile investment for brides and grooms.
Luxury brides today are simply after something more unique than your conventional, classic ring. If they are spending a significant amount on their ring, they often prefer to design a new piece that is truly their own as opposed to buying a ring that is ready-made in store and has perhaps been worn by multiple other brides. So I think it’s that sense of customisation that is important and therefore tends to appeal most.
Looking for wedding jewellery inspiration? See more of Matthew Ely’s stunning designs on the Matthew Ely website, Facebook and Instagram. Or make a booking to start designing the perfect engagement ring!
