To me, good jewellery is like a suit of armour and can boost one’s confidence, allowing us to conquer our fears.
Natalie Barney is The Green Queen. Diamond Queen. And Gemstone Queen.
Why?
I’ll tell you why. She is the queen of diamonds, pearls and gemstones, especially anything green.
Natalie Barney is one of Sydney’s fine jewellers. A lover of jewellery. A connoisseur of fine diamonds, excellence in workmanship, brightly coloured gemstones and the most beautiful of the beautiful. Her love of coloured gemstones is perhaps the greatest thing that most sets her apart from her contemporaries.
Her love of anything green, has earned her the name of The Green Queen. If you are asking yourself what gemstones are green? Let me help you out. Emerald, Peridot, Sapphire, Beryl, Green Quartz, Jade, Demantoid Garmet, Tsavorite Garnet, Chrysoprase, and her favourite of favourites the beautiful Tourmaline.
Natalie is a gemmologist, a jewellery designer, a retailer, and has had a lifelong love affair of jewels, since her childhood in France.
I recently met Natalie at her Sydney retail boudoir and was taken by her warmth, sincerity and her gentle loveliness, topped off by her charming French accent and European nuances. Here is her story … oh, and if you are in the market for some amazing jewellery, trust me.
The Green Queen is your girl.
Until next time,
Jade xx
Finding coloured gemstones is like falling in love … when you find the one, you just have to buy it as one can’t be sure that you will find exactly the same one again!
LM
I believe you were born in France? How did you come to move to Australia?
NB
I moved from France to England at 21. I moved there straight after attending university. I had always loved the English, their eccentricity and sharp sense of humour. I met and married my husband there, and we moved to the Netherlands and lived there for almost five years. We then made the decision to experience living outside of Europe and my husband found a job in Australia … interesting as he is half Australian … we fell in love with Sydney and a few children later we call Australia home!
LM
Have you always loved jewellery?
NB
I have always been a jewellery tragic!
Probably fostered by living in France where there is a jewellery shop on every street corner. Besides being bought jewellery as a child, my first pay cheques as a teenager went towards travelling to England for holidays and buying myself jewellery.
I have always dreamed of beautiful jewellery although now that I work with it every day, I don’t always need to dream about it at night!
LM
Do you think your French heritage has contributed to your love of jewellery?
NB
The French just like the Italians start buying jewellery for you when you are a child. Holy communion, Christmas, Birthdays … it is an accepted and cherished gift to give.
LM
What is it particularly that you love about jewellery and why do you think it is an important accessory for women?
NB
I love that jewellery expresses the wearer’s personality.
When made properly, jewellery is a piece of art and is crafted by talented individuals. Well crafted jewellery is unique and will last a lifetime and can be passed on to future generations. Too many things in today’s world are mass produced. Jewellery is not only unique … it is still made to order and not only finishes an outfit, it brings it to life.
To me, good jewellery is like a suit of armour and can boost one’s confidence, allowing us to conquer our fears.
LM
As a jewellery designer, what do you strive to achieve for your clients?
NB
My aim is to create a piece of jewellery that my clients will enjoy wearing for years. Whether it be for work, leisure, or special occasions I strive for my jewellery to be as practical as possible. This means not making our rings too high, and being made as finely as possible, therefore offering the highest level of comfort.
I like my customers to understand that ‘a piece of jewellery should not show any scaffolding’. It is right to wonder how it was put together. The emphasis should be on the fineness of the work, showcasing the stones, not the metal.
LM
Are you a fan of diamonds? What are you favourite gemstones?
NB
I love all stones but I do particularly like colour.
White diamonds are classical and can be worn with outfits of every colour. Coloured gemstones are unique, and no two are exactly alike in terms of shape and hue.
Finding coloured gemstones is like falling in love … when you find the one, you just have to buy it as one can’t be sure to find exactly that quality again!
I love Tourmaline, Spinel, (red Spinel is simply stunning), Garnet (particularly Tsavorite and Demantoid Garnets which are both green), some of the lesser known Sapphires (the green and purple varieties are just delicious!)
LM
Do you have a favourite coloured gemstone?
NB
My favourite coloured gemstone is Tourmaline as it comes in all the colours of the rainbow. It is still good value for money (although prices are increasing as the rest of the world is discovering Tourmaline). It is clean and strong enough to wear every day.
LM
What advice would you give to a woman who does not like her engagement ring?
NB
I would tell her to remake it. I have remade mine a couple of times and even got myself new engagement rings!
Buying jewellery is so often an emotional purchase that reflects sentimental milestones in life. In my case, I look at the changes I’ve made to my precious rings which represent ‘Natalie in progress’.
I am far more sentimental about my husband, who’s very happy that I haven’t grown tired of him yet, or wanted to remodel or upgrade!
An engagement ring should evolve with you as a person and your relationship and remain as relevant today as it was ten, twenty or thirty years ago.
LM
Are you a fan of the “one ring” trend?
NB
I believe that a ring should match the wearer’s personality and lifestyle and reflect their personal tastes.
For the women who haven’t worn a lot of jewellery, the prospect of wearing an engagement and a wedding ring can be slightly overwhelming. Choosing just one ring is easier and can always be added to in years to come. Your tastes will evolve with the years as will your confidence in wearing jewellery.
I have met a lot of ladies who a few years after choosing their engagement ring have said “I should have listened to you and chosen the bigger and brighter stone you had suggested for my ring!”
LM
Do you think your engagement ring should be kept forever?
NB
If it still represents you and your taste then, yes.
If you have changed dramatically and it no longer suits your style or lifestyle then you should either remodel it, remake it into a pendant or buy a new one!
LM
Do you think as women mature they should revisit their choice of jewellery? What is your advice?
NB
Women’s tastes not only evolve but their confidence levels increase. Their bodies change … their skin tone will change and what was suitable as a twenty or a thirty year old may no longer be relevant. Small dainty jewellery may no longer be suitable, and may need to be replaced by bigger and bolder.
I love remaking family heirlooms or outdated jewellery. I love the feeling of turning pieces which have been languishing in drawers, into relevant, beautiful and loved jewellery.
LM
What is the piece of jewellery you have most enjoyed designing?
NB
The Sun Suite with the beautiful sun earrings and pendant is very special. For me, these pieces have become the symbol of Natalie Barney Jewellery and the essence of our brand.
LM
How important are the three C’s when it comes to buying a diamond, and how would you best advise people who are working with a budget?
NB
The most important C of the three C’s is cut … if a diamond is not cut properly then no matter how exceptional the rough diamond is, the cut stone won’t have any sparkle! The other C’s stand for colour and clarity.
LM
Do you believe that new jewellery should only be bought for certain milestones in life?
NB
No. Jewellery should be bought to celebrate life, in both it’s joy and sadness …
A new piece of jewellery will help you make a big work promotion even more special or help you celebrate a special person in your life … like a dying husband who decides he wants to buy a very special ring for his wife before he passes away.
LM
Do you believe that women should buy their own jewellery, or wait for their husbands or partners to buy it for them?
NB
I believe that far too many women believe that someone should buy jewellery for them or that it should be chosen for them. They lack the confidence to choose or ask for it, even if they earn more money than their partners.
LM
What advice would you give to people who feel nervous about getting a piece of jewellery made?
NB
Just make sure you prepare as much you can before going to see a jewellery designer.
Ask yourself these questions …
Is there a particular design you like and how much are you prepared to pay for this custom piece? Do you expect the jeweller to come up with ideas and designs or are you just expecting a quotation? Find out how the piece will be made … handmade, CAD designed or cast? Ask to see the gemstones and previous examples of the jeweller’s work.
Research the jeweller’s reputation thoroughly in terms of testimonials, and social media.
LM
Tip xx If you want to make your life really easy? Just come and see Natalie Barney.
LM
Do you believe that an engagement ring should only be made in diamonds?
NB
No. Plenty of coloured gemstones are highly suitable to be worn every day. Coloured gemstones are also particularly relevant for couples who are on a tight budget or who want a very individual and unique ring. If you want your engagement ring to be unique then a coloured gemstone will be perfect for you. Also you might not want the traditional solitaire … coloured gemstone bands also look stunning.
LM
Do you think antique pieces are suitable for engagement and wedding rings?
NB
They can be as long as you have checked their strength and quality. I have remade plenty of antique pieces over the years and sometimes the money you save when buying an antique is wasted when having to remake it a few years later. Many antique rings are exquisite and unique and a symbol of an era where jewellery was made with great care.
LM
Do you think Australian women are too conservative when it comes to wearing jewellery?
NB
A big yes!
They are afraid to take risks and stand out from the crowd. They also don’t dress up enough to sometimes justify buying nice jewellery. They are also afraid of having options, preferring one or two pieces that they can wear every day.
I would get so bored with wearing the same pieces over and over again.
Australia offers such a perfect climate for jewellery!
LM
Do you believe that diamonds can be worn every day?
NB
Depending on the diamonds, a big yes! A pair of diamond huggy earrings will take you to a yoga class, work and to the opera … so will the classical diamond studs!
Add a gorgeous diamond pendant to dress up your earrings and voila! You are ready for a very special occasion. Diamond tennis bracelets or bangles can also be dressed up or down depending on the style. A diamond eternity ring will look gorgeous on its own and can be worn every day.
LM
How do you feel about pearls and what advice would you give in caring for them properly?
NB
Pearls make a woman’s skin look luminous and they are suited to all skin tones. They look wonderful with a pair of jeans and a white shirt or with a ball gown. They are also the organic result of a living animal and as such should be treated with respect … never spray perfume or hairspray around pearls. Clean them with a soft cloth and they will last you a lifetime.
LM
Who would you like to accessorise on the red carpet?
NB
I would like to accessorise the likes of Victoria Beckham, who not only dresses very elegantly and classically but chooses very special and unique gems to wear.
Cate Blanchett springs to mind also, as her fashion choices are always unique and interesting. I love the contrast of these glamorous mothers who one minute will look like the star they are and the next will be collecting their children from school … a bit like me!
LM
Do you believe that Australian and international Runway events could benefit from the use of fine jewels?
NB
So many women don’t know how to wear jewellery on a day to day basis. Nor, which piece to wear for what occasion.
I would like to see the potential of the Runway to educate, inspire and generally excite women as to how jewellery can be worn alongside stunning designer labels.
Fashion and jewellery really belong together.
LM
Amen!
NB
Look at how Coco Chanel created her own unique range of jewellery to enhance the classic understated appeal of her little black dress.
LM
Which city in the world is going to become familiar with the Natalie Barney Jewellery brand in the near future?
NB
New York! After all, one of the most exclusive department stores in New York already bears my name! I also love American women and their sassiness!
LM
Where do you see yourself in five years?
NB
I see myself designing the most exquisite pieces of jewellery for all women, from all around the globe …
I see my jewellery on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, The Oscars and The Met Gala Ball …
I see the world as the Pearl in my oyster … literally!
Photography of Jewellery and Natalie Barney by Richard Weinstein.
Until next time,
Jade xx
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