What Renee loves most about this craft is the way it bridges art and science. Jewellery making requires creativity, precision, and deep technical knowledge. Gemmology and metallurgy are sciences in their own right every curve, angle, and setting must be meticulously calculated. Yet when you truly understand the process, it becomes something you feel. Each piece is an emotional connection a symbol of love, celebration, or remembrance. As jewellers, we are creating beauty that carries profound meaning, often connecting deeply with people we barely know. For Renee, this perfectly captures the essence of being human: we create, and we connect.

Renee’s inspiration comes from life itself. She finds beauty in nature’s patterns and textures the ultimate designer and in the arts: poetry, music, film, architecture. She loves the idea of collaboration, whether that’s working with a client, another artist, or building upon an existing idea. Sometimes a gem will inspire a design; other times, it might be a building, a line of poetry, or a fleeting thought. Every creation has its own story and energy, and that’s what keeps her passion alive.

The JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards have been a constant source of motivation throughout Renee’s career. This was her fifth time entering the first being as an apprentice and her first win. Over the years, she has learnt that the real reward isn’t just the trophy; it’s the opportunity to push boundaries, to explore creativity, and to bring ideas to life under the pressure of a deadline. Every piece she has entered has sold, and that’s given me immense confidence to take bigger risks as a designer. Being recognised as an award-winning jeweller builds trust and excitement among clients who are eager to see something new.

To anyone hesitating to enter the Awards just do it. It takes courage to put your creativity out there, but it’s far better to try than to wonder “what if.” Focus on the process, on being the best version of yourself as an artist.

Events like the JIN Trade Fair and JAA Awards Soiréeare vital for our industry. They’re opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate our shared passion for craftsmanship. The future of Australian jewellery is bright, and Renee says “I’m proud to be part of it.”

You can find the 2025 JAA Highly Commended and Colour Award winner, Renee, at LeGassick Jewellers.

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Highly Commended and Colour Award Winner | Divine Absence

Description | 18ct yellow gold and platinum wearable paintbrush. Featuring the colour spectrum in pave set gemstones to resemble paint dripping down the handle towards the tip of the brush. The interlocking pieces of the brush can be removed and worn as part of a collier and drop earrings. This jewellery piece was made as a multi-media artwork in collaboration with a contemporary fine artist. It will be sold together with a portrait featuring the jeweller and the paintbrush, this will be on display at the Jewellery Industry Fair. The title of the piece was inspired by a song by Nick Cave and Nicholas Lens, “The Litany of Divine Absence” (2020).

Motivation | “Art is the way home” - This piece was inspired by the artist's journey. My goal was to challenge boundaries by fusing jewellery making with the instrument of an artist, to create a wearable piece of art. The paintbrush is an extension of the hand, a direct connection to the creation of a painting and the artist. When I feel a disconnection from self, I use art to rediscover myself. This piece explores how the absence of self can lead to the deepening of the experience of creation and what it means to be human. It's difficult to look into ourselves, and more difficult to be seen by others. Through their chosen mediums, artists externalise their souls, contributing to the visual history of the human experience.

Materials | Yellow gold | Platinum | Diamonds | Ruby | Orange + yellow + blue sapphires | Tsavorite garnets | Amethysts | Purple Sapphires | Tanzanites

Set by Greg Hartnett