Nique Jewellery is a contemporary jeweller located in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Utilising a variety of materials, including opals, diamonds, and coloured stones, Nique Jewellery provides a bespoke service for each and every individual customer. Every client is faced with exceptional service, which allows them to pair the stones of their dreams, with metal that shines through on every occasion. This is all possible with the skilful work of Danica Roderick.

A Jeweller with Passion

Danica Roderick began her venture within the jewellery industry with her apprenticeship in Jewellery manufacture at Toowomba, Queensland, in 2010. During this time, she learnt how to conduct repairs, restorations, and many other services. During this time, Danica loved to search through old boxes of jewellery and make her own masterpieces. Through this desire, Nique Jewellery was born in 2017. During this period of time, Nique Jewellery has served hundreds of customers, each with their own individual unique pieces of jewellery with the utmost care.

Whenever Danica isn’t in the workshop, talking to clients, or dreaming of ideas of jewellery designs, she follows some of her many interests in life. This includes basketball and playing with her dog Calla. Danica, being a multitalented individual, has played in a range of different levels, and even enjoys playing at the local level today. Her dog, Calla, is 12 years old, and enjoys her small walks and having her paws lapping around in the ocean. Danica is a firm believer that “it is important to be able to switch off the mind so that you can come back ready for the next day”. Being able to work hard, and embrace creativity, is something that can only be accompanied and maintained through proper rest and management.

Namesake Jewellery Unique by Design

Flourishing Business in a Modern Market

Nique Jewellery is a business that caters for a variety of different types of groups and individuals. This is especially done through the online section of the business. Online customers, who have the ability to access all different types of unique handmade jewellery, allow for the business to grow. In turn, this also allows for the bespoke customer range to also significantly increase. Danica recognises that not every client will be returning every month for another piece to be made, but rather, emphasises the importance of the smaller pieces and gifts which are made with emotional value, and significant meaning.

In addition to this, Danica makes herself and her business to be available on multiple different online platforms. Whether it be using “text, email, phone calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook, or Instagram”, Nique Jewellery is able to reach out, and be reached out to, by clients around Australia. Although in many cases “it is a little overwhelming”, as this requires attention to be spent on each client, chatting away on multiple platforms, Danica makes the process as easy for clients as possible. It is especially exciting when new clients reach out through text messages. This is because it means that current, or old clients, have been happy enough to pass on her information due to the amazing work which she was able to achieve. “I actually joke to my husband sometimes that half of manly has my number”.

A gorgeous collection of U-Nique Designs

Some Reflective Thoughts

When asked to reflect on her career thus far, there were many highlights which Danica pointed out.

“I’d have to say, completing my apprenticeship was a really memorable feeling”. Overcoming this hurdle, and continuing on to the next step in her journey allowed her to feel “like she was good enough to do it all”. Confidence, brewed within her, as the “very hard work for four years” had finally paid off. Through matters of difficulty, and amazing moments throughout the way, Danica’s perseverance had paid off.

Nique Jewellery has also faced many challenges throughout its time. However, for Danica, “challenges mean growth” which is representative of how she’s faced challenges in the past. “Nique Jewellery faced the general early business challenges” however, once these were overcome, this is where some true difficulties arose. Six months after signing the lease for the current workspace, Nique Jewellery obtained approval after “town planners, solicitors, and certifiers, all proved a manufacturing workshop could happen in said location”. However, the process of getting this council approval was a long and tedious journey, which worked out in the end!

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Advice to future Jewellers

Dealing within the gemstone and jewellery industry in the modern day is fraught with difficulty and challenge, however, developing the bonds and connections with other people, and fulfilling your dreams is always worth it. Within the industry, “trust is the biggest characteristic you can have. Being one hundred per cent real and authentic yourself” is the way that you can express yourself. “If you are not your brand, then you don’t have a brand. I like to be myself and real with both customers and suppliers. ” This is especially important when starting up, as it allows for the initial trust to be made and gained within the industry. “As an example, I have one supplier that actually delivers to me when it’s super urgent, I am always honest with timelines and because of this sometimes I have given too much time. Therefore I know that others’ orders get placed ahead of mine, so when I say it’s urgent and I need it in two days they know I am being honest.” And in turn, speedy delivery will occur.

Another important thing to realise is to understand why you want to become a jeweller. “I trained in a workshop where I had to learn all different techniques to be able to please all the clients that came through the doors. I don’t really have a favourite job to do all the joy comes from giving the piece back to the client completed. That’s what our job is all about.” It is important to find your reason and your own goals within joining and being a part of this industry. In that way, you will be able to grow and mature alongside your work.

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Published By
Chathula L. Kiripitige