International Jeweller's Day

Celebrating the hands that craft timeless beauty

International Jeweller's Day: 31 January

Meet William

Meet William – a born and raised Western Australian jeweller who has been part of the Willie Creek Pearls’ family for a decade. Working from our Subiaco showroom, he takes a very thoughtful approach to his craft, finding inspiration in the beauty of our Australian South Sea pearls. To William, every harvest from our Broome farm is a new gift, and he finds true joy in uncovering the unique character of every single pearl.

What makes Australian South Sea pearls truly unique?

Unlike most gemstones, our pearls are born from a living creature - the Pinctada maxima oyster. They arrive from the pristine waters of Northwest Australia already stunning, requiring no cutting or faceting. Nurturing them in the pristine waters of Northwest Australia is a true harmony with nature, with every pearl a rare gift with its own exceptional personality. We provide care, but ultimately, the ocean decides what treasure it will give us.

What’s the most challenging part of crafting with pearls - and the most rewarding?

Nature doesn’t work to a script, so the hardest part is definitely the match-making - spending time searching through harvests to find two pearls that sit happily together to shape a beautiful item.

The reward is the moment of connection when a customer falls in love with a piece, knowing it will become a part of their own story and memories. And beyond this, knowing a piece I created will be worn for a lifetime of memories is a huge honour.

Walk us through your creative process: how does a design go from an idea to a finished piece?

I let the pearl lead the way, and I guide it so each piece becomes truly unique. From the outset, I ask myself a few key questions: which precious metal best complements the pearl’s colour and tone, and what style of jewellery will most beautifully showcase it? I also pay attention to what customers are looking for and let that inform the design.

There are essentially three ways I can make a piece. The first is completely handmade, starting with a solid block of gold that I shape and form by hand using traditional jewellery tools. The second approach is hand-carving a wax model, which is then cast in metal. The third uses CAD, which is a 3D technical drawing software.

Once I understand how each pearl is to be presented, I choose the method that suits it best. For Keshi or baroque pearls, I’ll often hand-carve wax so the setting naturally responds to the pearl’s organic shape. When repeatability is important, I’ll use CAD instead. This also allows customers to view and approve the design before I make the final piece.

From there, I craft and assemble all the components, finishing by hand-setting each pearl onto its precious metal setting. Pearls are incredibly individual, so every piece is inspected methodically to ensure the highest quality and a secure fit.

From the first sketch through to the final touches, each step is done with care, ensuring the pearl remains the heart of the piece.

When you hold a pearl, what do you see?

I look for what we call the "Five Virtues" to tell us a pearl's story:

·       Lustre: The luminous glow of the pearl, nuanced by how the light reflects and refracts from the layers of nacre.

·         Size: Typically, the larger the pearl, the greater its value.

·         Shape: Shape doesn’t affect quality, although it can impact its value. Perfectly round pearls are the most desirable, and hence, considered the most valuable.

·         Colour: Colour is so personal to every customer, although traditionally, white pearls with soft pink overtones tend to shine as the most popular.

·         Complexion: The number and size of the natural surface markings will greatly influence the value and beauty of each pearl. Being born from nature, a pearl with a flawless surface is exceptionally rare.