Diamond discussions with award-winning Sydney jeweller Matthew Ely

A combination of architecture, the steadiest of hands, an eye for detail and the ability to push the limits, Matthew Ely is part of the next generation of Australian jewellers engraving their place on the world’s stage.

Growing up west of Sydney, Matthew was born into a family of master jewellers. Surrounded by diamonds, rubies and gold from a young age, his passion for jewels came to a head when he wrote an application asking his parents for a job at their jewellery store at just 12-years of age.

However, his parents encouraged Matthew to venture into other careers, including engineering, before he finally decided to pursue the jewellery profession – a trade that runs deep in his blood.

In his first year of TAFE, Matthew won World Skills in NSW and came 3rd in Australia, leading his mentors to label him a ‘young talent’.

Following his graduation, Matthew travelled on a scholarship to London where he worked alongside some of the biggest diamonds in the world (more than 100ct) and a diamond setter who had worked on the English Crown jewels.

On returning to Australia, Matthew focused his technique on designing luxury pieces and opened his own boutique, Matthew Ely by York Jewellers. His aim is to create architectural pieces that push the boundaries of ‘traditional’ jewellery, all while establishing a safe, transparent environment where clients are invited to participate in the design process.

“I want to educate my clients on the complex world of gems and diamonds, and how they travel through the world to end up in their personal pieces of fine jewellery. My boutique is designed to evoke the kind of trust you need to have in jewellery to understand your heirlooms.”

Matthew Ely produces wearable pieces that are timeless and are made to be seen from every angle and it was on this first visit to his boutique that I spotted my own dream engagement ring – a round brilliant-cut diamond sitting in the middle of a twin-halo of rare Argyle pink and white diamonds.

So, when the time came for my <now husband> to plan the engagement, he knew to go directly to Matthew Ely, the down-to-earth Sydney jewellery who’s quietly changing the face of design.

Matthew Ely is an educated gemmologist and award-winning jeweller who uses imagination to create bespoke pieces from his Sydney-based boutique. He has just launched a downloadable guide that gives Brides-to-Be all the ring information they need – from choosing the right sparkler, to ongoing care. Click here to download your own free guide!