LUKA unique designer jewellery | Jewellery/watches
LUKA unique designer jewellery
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25.01.2022 You know your pieces work their magic when you receive images like this. One of my wonderful supporters has taken my pieces on her travels to Romania where the Black Sea and the Full Moon together make them positively shine. She says "it's your spirit traveling around the world". Georgeta - you sent me swirling with a head full of ideas on how to translate the Black Sea into my jewellery. Thank you so much for your inspiration!
23.01.2022 I finally have the images to do this aquatic bracelet justice.... and so you can now also order it online. This bracelet is about all things oceanic - a colour range that simply makes you feel like a day on the beach in Byron Bay (where I live!). Delicately faceted light-blue Aquamarine from Russia, Quartz from Hong-Kong, Mother of Pearl petals from India, organic Sea Glass from Malta, bottle-green Brazilian Agates and tiny smooth pearls are set into an organic silver-plated... base. Like all our pieces, it is handcrafted with love and care in our studio near Byron Bay. These eclectic limited-edition statement earrings are made from the following semi-precious stones and findings: Aquamarine from Russia Mother of Pearl from India Quartz from Hong Kong Sea Glass from the Malta, recycled Glass from USA Agates from Brazil Pearls from Shanghai Verdigrises bead from Slovakia Set into a silver-plated base from Bali and Istanbul 1/20 limited edition All bracelets are made to measure, so please make sure to leave size instructions (your wrist circumference at the widest point over the knuckle; see photo) in the checkout notes. The Benign Turquoise Wave Thief Statement Bracelet will be beautifully gift-wrapped and ready as an exceptional gift for yourself or an unexpected gift for someone special. https://luka.com.au//n-658-the-benign-turquoise-wave-thief bracelet This bracelet is about all things oceanic - a colour range that simply makes you feel like a day on the beach in Byron Bay (where I live!). Delicately faceted light-blue Aquamarine from Russia, Quartz from Hong-Kong, Mother of Pearl petals from India, organic Sea Glass from Malta, bottle-green Brazilian Agates and tiny smooth pearls are set into an organic silver-plated base.
20.01.2022 And to finish off the series... the obligatory Calypso shot!
19.01.2022 Say CHEESE! Thank you all for ordering every piece on offer yesterday. You keep me happy, very busy ... and Calypso with her favourite treat for modelling - Goat Cheese! I will be in touch with all of you after the weekend.
18.01.2022 So here finally comes the full necklace that was inspired initially by the 200 red eyes looking at me from the vivacious blue tissue of a coral scallop in Okinawa last year. Truth be said, the scallop is only 1/2 of the inspiration, the other half is one of my favourite artists - the unbelievable Frida Kahlo. I know it is immodest, but I'd like to think she might have liked this necklace. I have matching earrings ( $109) - see previous post and material to make 7 of these two-strand necklaces ($299) all up. Three have already been spoken for (thanks for your advance in trust), so if you want one of the remaining ones, please drop me a line.
18.01.2022 I don't think I won't be making much jewellery today - Calypso is having surgery (nothing big) but my heart is in my pants nonetheless. Also, I better come up with some more clever dog clothing to cover up the stitches on both legs because she cannot handle the bucket of shame...
17.01.2022 In 10 years, I have never used religious symbols, but I have to admit I have been completely drawn into these Ethiopian crosses... admittedly initially from an aesthetic point of point of view. And while this might be not a logical connection for many of you - for me the cross has strong visual links to coral reef basket stars (can't take the Marine Biologist out of my brain - but neither do I want to!) Besides the aesthetic, it is the symbolism of the elaborate & intertwined latticework representing everlasting life that I find myself attracted to. Unlike crosses in western Christianity, the artisans of Ethiopia are being allowed the freedom to exercise a measure of individual taste and creativity in their choice of shape and patterns. I love that... and I can't wait to work with the cross and stones in the blue-green range....
16.01.2022 Good morning everyone! Do you also feel the power of wearing red hued jewellery? When I still lectured chemistry/ marine pollution at SCU, I often wore a red necklace and red boots..., and presto the attention of students was raised straight away. It s a sublime way of saying, I mean business... dont mess with me. Unless of course you are a border collie wearing my No 606 necklace! https://luka.com.au//no606-when-coral-love-arrives-stateme
16.01.2022 Only one left... For all my purple lovers - I have married off my last 3 Crazy Lace Agate pendants from Mexico with lots of Russian Amethyst, Apatite & Sea Sediment Jasper that looks simply like an aerial flight over the Great Barrier Reef ( make sure you zoom jn!) If you wanted to be tempted each double strand necklace and matching earring set is $ 375 AUD ( including free shipping). You can't buy these online - so if you cannot resist this Oceanic teaser... please drop me a line!
16.01.2022 Ooh - how much I miss the reef! My first morning in Australia in 1991, I flew in an amphibious 4 seater plane (with a massive bubble window) out to Lizard Island to work at the Research Station. I will never forget the turquoise waters interspersed by perfect little reefs... and so here I am 30 years later still trying to recreate this breathtaking feeling.... through earrings! https://luka.com.au//no635-when-i-fall-i-fly-statement-ear
15.01.2022 Before I show you the entire "coral scallop" necklace, I wanted to turn your attention to the stunning focal Crazy Lace Agate focal stone. Exclusively found in Chihuahua, Northern Mexico, this lacy agate is known not only for its stunning banded patterns, but is appreciated by Mexicans (and lovers of this stone worldwide) as a powerful healing stone. Crazy Lace Aagte is one of the youngest minerals on earth (only about 65-90 million years old) and chemically speaking it is a ...Microcrystalline quartz, banded chalcedony-often infused with iron and aluminum. Since it's only found in Mexico, Crazy Lace Agate retains much of the energy of that area, in particular the tribal energies from ancient cultures that are still surrounded in mystery. There is evidence this Agate was worn as an amulet by the earliest inhabitants of Mexico for endurance and courage in battle... sounds like the perfect stone for our Covid times! More soon... See more
15.01.2022 One should not have a favourite child - but here it is this is one of my favourites pieces of the new collection! The sumptuous warmth of the desert rose, cantaloupe, tangerine, walnut & orange-red earth hues married off with a good amount rich gold, simply look and feel stunning. The focal point of the necklace is a hammered organic ring from Istanbul (22k gold-plated), but the 250 million-year-old Ammonite fossil from Morocco also draws your eye in easily. Just let the ...thought sink in you are wearing something on your neck that has lived 250 million years ago on in the ocean (todays closest relatives are Nautilus mollusks). While this subtle colour palette is serious eye candy alone, this statement necklace also lives through the contrasting shapes of the many different semi-precious stones. This sleek necklace looks sensational with a black jumper or that white summer linen shirt. https://luka.com.au//no614-the-republic-of-ammonite-carnel
14.01.2022 My oceanic "Trilogy", which started with an Ethiopian cross is finally completed! Aquamarine, Quartz, Agates, Pearls, Mother of Pearls & lots of silver have come together in these aquatic whimsical yet totally contemporary pieces. While the earrings are available online now, the bracelets will come online this weekend.... the necklaces have sold out before I came around to get them photographed. Having said this, I am awaiting some more crosses soon - so if you want to reserve one for you - please drop me a line!
13.01.2022 Butcher Bird Alert.... I had all those ideas of describing this rich warm set to you through my experience of camping around Uluru and the Olgas, when the butcher bird turned up (again). She checked the pieces out very intently as I was photographing them, and I am sure she would have made off with one of the earrings had I not gently intervened. The butcherbird's approval adds a uniquely Australian facet to this set and so all I will tell you is that it contains the warmest ...Carnelian, Tiger Eye, Smoky Quartz.... a Central Agate pendant from out of this world & plenty of 22k gold-plated parts. The retail price for all 4 pieces would be $606 - but it is on offer to you - my incredibly loyal group of supporters for $399 (including free shipping). This set is one-of-a-kind and not available online. If you want to buy it, drop me a line please. See more
13.01.2022 I came across this wonderful article yesterday... it really touched me! May all women feel confident to experience the life-affirming & mood-lifting power of big earrings! https://mamamia.com.au/women-who-wear-big-earrings/
13.01.2022 N650 Drops of Jupiter Statement Earrings What makes these earrings look so sublime is its rich oceanic colour palette contained in Paua beads. You know that irresistible blend of colours in the blue-purple and green spectrum that can calm and cool our minds. Intuitively, we have always felt the feel-good factor of turquoise oceans, but this intuition has now been backed up by research, which shows that any time we spent in or even just looking at the ocean makes us more relaxed by lowering our stress hormone levels. 22k-gold plated crescent moons from Istanbul anchors the most iridescent drops of Paua (also called Marine Opal) and completed with some ocean green Agates from Brazil. So, if you cant be near the Ocean right now, these earrings might be the next best thing! https://luka.com.au//no650-drops-of-jupiter-statement-earr
12.01.2022 Here is a vivacious commission I worked on for one of my wonderful supporters today. It is actually an old design, but reimagined in darker tangerine hues. It inspired me to try and translate this into purple, lilac, periwinkle & violet hues... so watch this space! And Susan.... your necklace is on its way to you!
12.01.2022 Just following up on that very popular necklace with the Ethiopian cross with my favourite LUKA ambassador Calypso! The necklace does have matching earrings (in the shop now) and the most vivacious oceanic bracelet (still waiting for photos, so available online soon!)... so for all those women who love to match... go for it!
11.01.2022 Good morning everyone, after a fabulous weekend of campervaning (is this even a word?), I started my working week with these stunning Crazy Lace Agate beads from Mexico. Each one of them a little Galaxy in itself... and soon part of the Coral Scallop necklaces you ordered last week!
11.01.2022 I have some fresh earrings -straight off my bench for you! These earrings are about all things oceanic - a colour range that simply makes you feel like a day on the beach in Byron Bay (where I live!). Delicately faceted light-blue Aquamarine from Russia, organic Sea Glass from Malta, bottle-green Brazilian Agates and tiny smooth pearls are set into an organic silver-plated base. Like the surface of a hard coral skeleton, tiny holes are dotted all over the organic silver-plate...d circles from Seoul and complimented with a Verdigrises charm from Slovakia. These contemporary, ocean-hued statement earrings are super light-weight, for all those woman who love sizeable statement earrings, but cant handle the weight (anymore!). Like all our pieces, it is handcrafted with love and care in our studio near Byron Bay. These eclectic limited-edition statement earrings are made from the following semi-precious stones and findings: Aquamarine from Russia Sea Glass from the Malta Agates from Brazil Verdigrises charm from Slovakia Set into a silver-plated base from Bali and Seoul Approximate length: 8cm 1/20 limited edition https://luka.com.au//n-657-the-the-sound-of-waves-statemen
11.01.2022 Some of you have asked me how the earrings look together with the necklace... so here it comes! I have two of each left - so if you want to reserve either the necklace, the earrings or both please see details and pricing in my previous 4 posts and drop me a line (not available online)
10.01.2022 All good things must come to an end - and so here is the very last of my Silent Pearl Diver Statement Necklaces on offer (N510). For me, this monochromatic white on white little stunner works so well because of its timeless simplicity. In ancient Greek Quartz was called (kruos) meaning "icy cold" because some philosophers believed the mineral to be a form of supercooled ice and that is exactly how it looks like! In this necklace, the smoothest white pearls are cont...rasted with raw Quartz crystals and are paired with ample hammered gold and plated hematite chevrons. What makes this necklace seriously versatile is that it can be worn long, but also doubled up as a short necklace giving you serious value for money. This piece really comes alive through the many contrasting organic forms in the pendant and the interplay of sleek gold and pearls a nod to practicality so this piece can be accessorised with any other jewellery. shop here: https://luka.com.au//n-510-the-silent-pearl-diver-statemen
10.01.2022 One set only... I love Denim (Hello 1980s!) and with it my preferred stones are Sodalite & Lapis Lazuli. If you feel the same way, this 4 piece set might be for you. Tiny light blue Agates are interspersed with Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite & lots of silver. The set is on offer for $399 (instead of $527) and I will ship it to you free of charge. You cannot order this online, so if you want to buy it, please just drop me a line!
09.01.2022 Sometimes I come across beads that are so special that I really have to pause and take it all in. While these tiny heishi beads don't look like much, their history is extraordinary! They are made from ancient glass pieces found in the region along the historic silk road. Commonly referred to as Roman Glass, the material for these beads is derived from ancient cups, vases, and perfume containers that have sustained the travails of time. The glass pieces have been carefully cut and drilled and they will soon get a new life in my earings. Just imagine you are wearing a tiny piece of ancient history on your body... it simply makes me swoon!
09.01.2022 Almost sold out ..... Every woman needs one black piece of jewellery in their wardrobe and if you enjoy a monochromatic mix of differently shaped semi-precious stones, this one is for you! This eclectic black marvel mixes organic Lava, sleek Onyx and faceted Agates, Tektite, Howlite and Tourmaline. The stark blackness is juxtaposed by that one colour splash a stunningly emerald-hued raw Fluorite that semi-precious stones believed to clear negative energy from the environment... and bring cleansing to the wearer. For me, this time-less piece comes to life through the contrasting smooth and rough materials and its architecture, which combines soft circles with strong straight lines this statement necklace has a somewhat Japanese sensibility. The golden aspects of the necklace subtly complement the starkness of the black semi-precious stones. This necklace can be worn as one long piece, but it can also be turned into a double strand short necklace. https://luka.com.au//n-515-the-night-sky-worship-statement
07.01.2022 I just found another species that apparently likes my jewellery! This butcher bird just flew into my studio, used my work light as a perch and proceeded to take a very good look at my gold and silver beads. Apparently, I still have to raise my butcher bird jewellery stakes, since she/ he just flew off after a little while!
05.01.2022 In ancient Egypt, men and women wore statement earrings.... 21st century guys really missing out on the fun! https://luka.com.au/collections/earrings
05.01.2022 It feels so much like spring here... and so I really feel like wearing Moonstone! I have no idea why that is, but moonstone and warm sun rays somehow go together perfectly for me. https://luka.com.au//n-656-the-delicious-moonstone-umbrell
05.01.2022 I just wanted to thank you all for your messages of support regarding Calypsos surgery! She is almost back to normal, however not allowed back into the Ocean yet. So claiming the bench with the best Sea Views of Lennox Head is the next best thing!
05.01.2022 When I brought out my wildly popular red & blue coral scallop necklace last week one of my wonderful supporters pointed out that she loved that necklace, but that it would clash badly with red hair ( thanks Ngaire!). And so I turned two stunning Verdigrises hued Crazy Lace Agate pendants from Mexico into an aquatic turquoise, blue-green double-strand design. Together with the matching earrings - the set is $375 ( free postage). One of the sets has already sold and will soon enjoy the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, while the other one is up for grabs. It is not listed in the online shop, so if you want it please drop me a line!
04.01.2022 Now that the sun is finally out, I can show you the matching earrings- Lapis Lazuli, Agates, recycled glass set into a 22k gold- plated base. I will be able to make 6 pairs of these rich blue & red little stunners ($109, free Australian shipping). You cannot find them online - if you want to reserve a pair for you, please just drop me a line!
04.01.2022 I only received the stunning Ethiopian cross that is the focal pendant in this necklace a few days ago - but three days of spring around Byron Bay made it very clear that the cross had to be partnered with luminescent blue Aquamarine, Quartz and recycled (sea) glass, bottle green Agates, crisp white Pearls, Mother of Pearl and lots of silver. Some of my pieces don't come together easily, but in this one, the stars aligned to create a completely contemporary & whimsical piece. At the moment I have only 5 crosses, so if you want to pre-order one (AUD $ 259), please drop me a line so I can set one aside for you before they go live in my web store soon!
03.01.2022 One of my favourite colour combinations for jewellery is tangerine & chartreuse... courtesy of my favourite aquatic species - gloomy octopus (and of course some stunning anemones). In summer, I spend hours snorkelling in our Bay trying to find these playful stunning creatures, with their stark tangerine underarms - which register in my brain as Carnelians contrasted by the perfect green - greys of Agates and Labradorite. Can't wait for the water to get that little bit warmer....
03.01.2022 Look at these stunning red eyes embedded into bright blue tissue. I came across this coral scallop last year in Okinawa and now it is inspriring me to make some Lapis Lazuli and red Agate jewellery. The feeling of 200 of the most beautiful eyes looking at you is just sensational. But not only are the extremely visual, the functionality for something as "lowly developed" as a clam is remarkable. In fact, there is some pretty stiff competition in how elaborate animal eyes have... evolved- but coral scallops might just be finalists. Every one of its 200 eyes contains millions of perfectly square, flat crystals that are build up into a mirrored mosaic. From there the light gets bundled onto 2 retinas! How cool is this? Anyway, I am just completely in love with the beauty of this eye constellation... and hopefully will do it justice in a vivacious piece of jewellery! See more
02.01.2022 Only one left.... Good morning everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I will be taking off for 2 weeks after Thursday to recharge my batteries (and of course to travel in my fab new Camper!). So if you have planned to order anything for yourself, or gifts for your loved ones, please do it soon. Before I run off - I dug out my very last Mexican Crazy Lace Agate pendants and married them off with lots of Amethysts, Apatite & Sea Sediment Jasper to give rise to delicious necklaces (more photos soon). I seem to have hit a real nerve with my Crazy Lace Agate necklaces, since they all sold within hours. So here will be 3 more coming up later today ( once I have taken good images!).
01.01.2022 If you have not already done so, do yourself a favour and watch this documentary on Netflix. I admit that I am a person who spends many hours every year with the Octopusses of Lennox Head, so I might be biased, but my OCTOPUS TEACHER is such a beautiful love story. In our dark (environmental) times, this one really is a ray of light. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0LTDhqe5A
