Words by Molly Smith.
Situated in the bustling High Street, Armadale, Australian jewellery designer HSLK has created a beautifully romantic boutique adorned by arched doorways, boucle furniture and arrays of dried flowers that display like works of art. Contemporary and with a refreshing take on fine jewellery, Hannah’s flagship store oozes elegance and captures a relaxed ambience for those hard decisions.
Hannah’s success is a credit to her modest beginnings and years of hard work, now pushing the boundaries of the once-contrasted jewellery world. Known for her fine diamond clustered bands, she is challenging the norm of tradition with juxtapositions of diamonds and unique gem pairings. She loves nothing more than creating bespoke engagement rings for the modern-day bride.
We sat down with Hannah to ask her all those questions you’ve been dying to know!
How soon should the men (or women) get in touch before proposing?
Planning a wedding can be stressful, so the unready rings are the last thing you must worry about. So start looking at least six months before to get an idea of what you like, and from there, get in touch at least 3-4 months before the big day.
Tell us about the 4Cs. Do they matter?
The 4C’s matter a lot! However, it’s just as important to learn about them to make an informed decision when purchasing an engagement ring.
Carat: This is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs.
Cut: Refers to the quality of how it’s been cut, which gives diamonds their brilliant fire and sparkle.
Clarity: Is the presence of inclusions within the diamond. The majority of diamonds all contain naturally occurring inclusions.
Colour: Refers to the natural colour of a diamond; while some are colourless, others exhibit slight hints of yellow, grey or brown.
Lab-cut diamonds vs natural. I would love to know your thoughts on this!
Natural diamonds have a better resell value; however, your money can go much further with a lab-grown diamond, and it’s better for the environment. It all depends on the client’s wants and needs.
What’s your advice for brides-to-be in getting a gauge of what style they like?
Try not to follow trends and do not worry about other opinions. You’ll wear this ring for the rest of your life, so choose something special to you, appropriately crafted and remember to enjoy the experience, taking as much time as you need to create your dream ring.
I recommend trying on a lot of different styles, and this will give you an indicator of comfort, too; for example, a client may like the look of an eternity style with diamonds all around the band; however, it may not be comfortable with the diamonds pressed against their fingers, so opt for a half band instead. Engaging a fully qualified jeweller is very important as they are incredibly knowledgeable. Use this to your advantage and gather as much information as possible concerning budget and materials.
What’s the most memorable couple you’ve been involved with? And why?
Oh, we’ve had so many! I wouldn’t be able to choose. It’s so special hearing about all
the beautiful proposals and fantastic feedback, and it never gets old.
How does one get what they want within a budget?
Although there can be a lot of constraints with a budget, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your dream ring. There are many factors when working with budget vs. materials. Gaining as much information from the client is essential to determine whether they prefer a better clarity over colour or would like to work with a lab-grown diamond to allow them a more significant carat weight.
What’s trending for 2023/2024?
Yellows diamonds are becoming very popular again; oval shapes are here to stay with the addition of radiant and more unique conditions like kite and shield.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw much inspiration from diamonds; I’m constantly looking at them with our suppliers, and a particular shape or colour will spark my interest. Other forms of inspiration come from architecture, fashion, art and, of course, different landscapes.