Tell us about The Cut Jewellery.
The Cut Jewellery is a lab-grown jewellery business that I founded last year in 2023. We specialise in creating bespoke pieces for special occasions such as engagements, weddings and anniversaries, but we also have a range of ready-to-wear items.
Myself and my uncle and cousin, who are involved in the business with me are always coming up with new designs. Chunky jewellery is in fashion right now, especially in the engagement space, as it is unique and different but timeless.
What inspired you to start The Cut Jewellery?
My first official job out of school was in the jewellery industry. I worked with a jeweller on the Gold Coast while studying for a journalism degree. Diamonds have always been in my blood, as my uncle, Craig Blizzard, has been making jewellery for over 50 years.
I have had a long career in journalism, spanning 20 years. I also have two young kids, so while it is risky to start a business and try something new, I knew that I needed a change. I understand the jewellery market so it made sense for me to go into it.
So I headed to London to do some courses and attend a conference. That is where I fell in love with lab-grown diamonds. I looked at both under the microscope and while I know they are chemically the same as mined diamonds, they honestly look the same but with more controlled clarity. I know it is a growing industry, and it doesn’t include mining, so I decided that is what I would specialise in. They are also graded the same way as mined diamonds are, so they hold their value, but people can also purchase them for more affordable prices.
Tell us about your career and background.
I was a TV and radio journalist for over 20 years. I started working on TV on the Gold Coast where I grew up and I soon landed a spot on morning TV in Sydney, both presenting the news and the weather for a long time. Once that wrapped up, I was doing some odd TV presenting job and I had a role on Triple M.
Describe a typical work day for you.
I start my day by getting my kids ready for school. Thankfully, our home, the kid’s school, my husband’s business, Flow Athletic, and my studio are all close by, so Ben and I can take turns with school drop-off and pick-up.
From there no two days are the same. I may have a client for a bespoke consult; I may have a client who wants to purchase an existing design, and we may be creating some new designs or creating educational content, which we post to Instagram. My day to day tasks tend to fit in around clients and consults.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Do your research on the industry you are looking to get into. Ask yourself who your desired customer is. What do they want? What do they need to know/ learn.
Find a way to create a product that is sustainable. I am lucky I have uncle Craig who knows how to set and design show stopping pieces as having to rely on another supplier could be hit and miss.
Research the trends. While it is good to have your own unique flair, keeping up with what is trending is a good way to get noticed in the first place.
Use social media as a way to educate and engage your audience. Lab-grown jewellery is a relatively new space, so I spend a lot of time creating video content where I answer any question that people have asked me about the industry.
What’s next for you, and The Cut Jewellery?
We are looking to expand our collections in the next few months. We have some very exciting pieces coming soon.
