As a jeweller, I often find myself drawn not only to the beauty of ancient ornaments but also to their deeper meanings—their why. Recently, I visited the Machu Picchu: Spirit of the Andes exhibition at the Australian Museum, and it stirred something profound in me. It wasn’t just a display of Incan treasures but a powerful reminder of how jewellery has always been a language of identity, power, and transcendence.
Years ago, I had the chance to travel to Peru and visit the museums that house these ancient relics. I was in my late twenties then, and I remember being mesmerised by the intricate ceramics, the rich gold pieces, and the boldness of Andean design. But this time, standing in the exhibition, I viewed it all through a new lens—through the hands of a maker.
As a jeweller, I now understand not only how these pieces were created, but why they were made. And that has changed everything for me.
In the Andean world, jewellery was far more than adornment. It was a marker of greatness, a signal of divine connection. It was a way of preparing leaders for their journey into the afterlife, transforming them into ancestors, into deities. Gold and silver weren’t simply materials—they were sacred elements imbued with cosmic meaning.
Gold, associated with the sun, the upper world, and masculinity, symbolised power, vitality, and connection to the divine realm.
Silver, the “tears of the moon”, was softer, more mysterious—linked to the moon, the ocean, the feminine, and the world of the dead.
Jewellers in the Andean society were more than artisans—they were spiritual guides. The pieces they made helped ensure a safe passage into the next life, and they reflected the status, identity, and eternal role of the wearer. To this day, I believe jewellery holds that same power—it communicates our beliefs, protects us, and reflects who we are.
Walking through that exhibition reminded me why I do what I do. Jewellery is not just decoration. It’s a statement. It’s a bridge between our inner world and the world we present to others. It’s a way to become more you—unique, powerful, radiant.
That is what jewellery means to me.
