Metal Couture

In the two blocks that cross between Nicholson, Brunswick and Smith Sts, Gertrude Street has many a shopping experience to be had. None more so than Metal Couture, a jeweler located across from the commission flats.
I first encountered the work at a a design market in the city, and simply had to get some work done for myself. They were helping illustrate a children’s story by a taxidermy artist. For the scenes that involve stuffed mice dressed as ballerinas chandeliers were made for the ballrooms and stages. These can be found amongst the collection in the shop, kept in their full set up to wear as a necklace or reduced into earing size pieces.
Their full range pieces have a twist to them — sometimes macabre, sometimes nautical, sometimes over-​the-​top, but always of high quality, style and personality.
The window displays often have animals in them — a crow surrounded by silver metal rings or sometimes a skeleton or animal skull.
Towards the back of the shop is space for the two jewelers to work. Sometimes if you’re lucky enough you can see some of this magic being made. They are both very approachable and friendly, and have begun offering classes in their skill.
Well worth a stop in. The prices are not cheap, reflecting the hard work and quality of the pieces, but you may find something here that you will find no where else.

I bought C. a birthday present of a sterling silver winged heart on necklace from Metal Couture. I like the goth/​rockabilly style of their jewelery. I also like the buying something that has been locally made and not mass-​produced in some factory.
Some of Metal Couture’s jewelery is over the top, rings like cathedrals, necklaces in the shape of bird skulls, or earrings like chandeliers, but all of it is very finely crafted and incredibly detailed. This is not cheap costume jewelery, like much of the stuff in this style. It is handmade in the studio behind the shop. I was shown studio, it is like an alchemists laboratory with animal skulls and other items. Unfortunately the jeweler, William Llewellyn Griffiths was out on that day, so I wasn’t able to see the master at work.
The style of their jewelery is reflected in the shop fittings, lots of red velvet drapes and the large gilt frame where the jewelery is displayed. Metal Couture has the aesthetics of the decadence.
The silver heart is hallmarked and silver chain is a good weight and thickness. And most importantly C. loves it. It really fits with her style and looks so good on her.