Orsini Jewellery - All that glitters

Browsing around the sumptuous Orsini Fine Jewellers boutique in the Auckland suburb of Parnell, surrounded by some of the most exquisite creations from Italy, along with the expert hand of Orsini founder and director Sarah Hutchings and her team, it is, of all things, a coffee table book plucked from Sarah’s own curated collection that perhaps best underlines the timeless nature of high-quality jewellery.

The book in question celebrates the work of Pino Rabolini, founder of the Milanese design house Pomellato. Rabolini revolutionised jewellery by adding bold colour to what was beforehand a conservative Northern Italian tradition. The book, which details the early works of Rabolini dating from 1967, showcases some stunningly modernist designs, colours, and campaigns: the beautiful hues of Pomellato’s iconic Nudo ring, earring, and necklace settings looking as contemporary today as they were 50 years ago.

It’s no wonder Sarah, who founded Orsini in 2008 and has been a fixture of Parnell’s boutique retail scene ever since, is immensely proud of her company’s connection with Italian fine jewellery, and Pomellato in particular.

“We were the first jeweller to bring Pomellato to the Southern Hemisphere and we remain the brand’s sole importer into New Zealand to this day,” she says. “The work of Pomellato is truly timeless and I love that their designs appeal to New Zealand women. The idea of strong and successful women is very much a part of Pomellato’s DNA through the decades.”

Sarah was introduced to fine handcrafted European jewellery by her father-in-law, jeweller Peter Hutchings, while she was living in Europe. A visit to the famous Vicenza Jewellery Fair in Northern Italy opened Sarah’s eyes to the exquisite craftsmanship and heritage of jewellery from the region: she realised this design philosophy was something she wanted to share with an antipodean audience.

“There wasn’t really anything like what I saw at Vicenza in New Zealand at the time. With Orsini, I set out to change that and give clients here access to the very best from Italian master jewellers. Through establishing fantastic working relationships with some of the best artisans in Europe and visiting jewellery fairs all over the world, we’ve been able to broaden the availability of high-quality Italian jewellery here.”

But Orsini is well-known for more than its ability to deliver the best of the best from overseas.

Sarah designs pieces and has worked with her own in-house master jeweller for many years in order to bring her clients’ dream pieces to fruition. The Orsini team have completed traditional jewellery apprenticeships and trade certificates in the craft. And these days it’s something of a family affair too, with Sarah’s nephew Harry Barker working in the business and, like Sarah, a qualified diamond grader, as well as having numerous Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certifications. Orsini is also a member of the Goldsmith Guild of New Zealand.

What does Sarah look for when grading a diamond? There are a multitude of facets to the selection process which will see her reviewing a lot of potentials before centring on the right example for the piece being designed.

“We weigh up a lot of attributes during the selection process. Cut, symmetry, polish: it’s all very important. We utilise certified ethical diamonds sourced from certified mines and above all, naturally, quality is paramount.

“The gemstone is the focal point and the piece we design might be worn not just in the short term but passed down to future generations. In that context, getting the right gemstone and the right design for our client is key. A lot of what a jeweller does comes down to trust.”

As a result, Orsini’s reputation for quality that can be trusted extends further than the leafy surrounds of Parnell. Sarah’s regular clientele can be found as far away as Christchurch, Queenstown, the Pacific Islands and even the United States.

“Naturally we do offer online sales, but we’d always encourage people to visit and discuss what they most desire from any new piece,” she says.

The Orsini Atelier space is well worth a visit as an experience in itself. Sarah worked with Auckland interior designers Kanat Studio to create an impressive retail space. Made up of two distinct rooms, including a dedicated consultancy area, the entire space takes its inspiration from Italy (of course), including the use of wood designed to remind of luxury Riva Boats, a locally designed signature chandelier rendered from Murano Glass, and the Italian plaster utilised on display pedestals throughout the tranquil space.

The Atelier space is award-winning too, with Orsini Fine Jewellers recently winning the 2023 RED Retail Design Excellence award for Fashion and Accessories category, as well as the Laminex Finishes Selection, as well as the Resene Total Colour Awards for 2023.

It's a luxurious environment and, like the exquisite pieces on display, is designed to deliver a memorable experience.

“A fine piece from the likes of Pomellato or Al Coro, or an item that we work with our clients to create, represents everyday luxury,” Sarah concludes. “To me, jewellery isn’t designed to be hidden away. It should be displayed and enjoyed by whomever is lucky enough to indulge in it.

“I love beautiful things, whether that be art, fashion, or jewellery. To be able to surround oneself with beautiful things is a privilege. And to be able to help clients choose or create something that is timeless, something that is of absolute quality, is very rewarding indeed.”