Located in Adelaide, South Australia, Laura Lediaev’s Ezara – Handcrafted Fine Jewellery has been moving swiftly forward, acting as a pedestal of growth and talent in Adelaide. The business combines the fascinating beauty and intricate originality of coloured stones with the sparkling beauty of diamonds in order to create unique pieces for each and every customer.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Laura’s story in the jewellery industry is one which started with the most humble of beginnings. Even from kindergarten, she was “making macaroni necklaces for everyone she knew”. From then, her interest in art evolved into primary school, where she “loved to paint and draw”. A few years later, when entering high school, she learnt about her passion for design whilst “spending lunchtimes in the tech shed on her woodwork projects”. She found herself being an extremely “tactile person needing to create with her hands”. Her background in art, and appreciation of the “art world” allowed her to explore pathways which combined both of these passions together. Her initial start was through “cabinet making and graphic design”, but soon she discovered the beautiful world of jewellery. This was the start of her “lifelong journey exploring the many facets of the jewellery industry”.

“Instantly, I knew I had found my perfect union of design and manufacture”

Throughout Laura’s journey, she worked alongside some “astoundingly talented craftspeople”, and she feels “so blessed to have had the opportunity to learn a range of traditional techniques”. She finds that “handcrafting jewellery at the bench has a certain purity that keeps her striving to improve”. This passion to improve and move forward has allowed her to reach the national acclaim that she has achieved today. This includes being awarded the National Diamond Guild Awards, and the South Australian Training Awards.

THE SIGNATURE EZARA

The formation of Ezara Fine Jewellery originated with the creation of Laura’s award-winning piece “Ezara”.

She created this piece for the National Diamond Guild Awards, in which she “initially entered with a rendering of a proposed design”. With this progressing through to the next stage, Laura began to handcraft her piece. “An intricate display of 18-carat white gold, 18-carat yellow gold, and diamonds to become a collar enhancer”. The piece was created to “slip over the centre of the collar with pins to be held on each collar end.

This piece, which was adequately titled “Ezara” (n. little treasure) was created and became the “inspiration for this business”. The namesake represents the beauty involved with “handcrafting your unique, personal Ezara” to mark your moments of love”.

“Ezara’s signature aspect seems to be their production methods”. Laura has developed a business which allows “each and every detail” of her products to be “handcafted and hand set”. This allows them to create a piece which is both “exciting ad immersive” for clients. The process of creation allows Ezara to “discuss client’s vision directly with the people who will bring life” to the client’s ideas. Thus, allowing a personalised service which is nothing short of bespoke. Ezara thrives on transparency, and the insight that both clients and business gains from having such close relationships.

A notable change has been the uprising of labgrown diamonds. They’ve continually gained momentum to become an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings.Honestly, this is a change I welcome. My mindset is always focussed on the connection my client has with their bespoke jewellery. Whether they feel an earth-mined or a lab-grown diamond is the perfect choice for them, I encourage their selection.

A Personalised Experience

I feel handcrafted jewellery is a deeply personal experience and connection. This is the reason we’ve chosen to work within a studio environment rather than a traditional storefront. I want to understand my client’s unique vision and bring that to life rather than seeing jewellery as a transactional purchase.

Using social media and our website as an immersive showcase of past pieces and inspirations, we draw our clients into the conversation and work both in-person or virtually.

I love colour, and I love rich, velvety tones, which is why I love coloured stones. Ruby, Zircon, Tourmaline, all. I love that no two coloured stones are exactly the same colour, bringing in an element of personal connection between the person and the stone they select.

This being said, I most often create bespoke diamond engagement rings, and I love it! Having the honour of capturing a person’s love in a piece of jewellery is one of the most rewarding parts of jewellery manufacture.Personally I feel very drawn to the Art Deco period of jewellery with its use of shape and incredible detailing. I see my design aesthetic as bringing these elements forward into our modern world of fashion and trends to create a unique union of style. 

Absolutely, the connection and understanding between myself and my clients is an element of Ezara I entirely cherish. I feel clients are incredibly excited and also put at ease by the great depth of understanding and knowledge they gain through the consultation process. The combination of being a jewellery designer and manufacturer allows complete transparency into reasoning of design, aswell as increased ability to translate every aspect and angle of the design to the client.Being able to openly discuss concepts and techniques gives my client’s absolute confidence in the piece we’re collaborating with.

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A MESSAGE TO FUTURE JEWELLERS

Striving to improve and evolve as a jeweller, I’ve always used a notebook detailing each job. Initially in an effort to be less distracting to those training me and work somewhat autonomously, I would begin with a conversation through each process in order and follow the steps to make the piece. I can remember one of those mentors continually saying ‘I don’t think through each step before I start, I just start…’

The concept seemed outlandish to me since I needed to know exactly what direction I was heading and how. In the past few years I’ve crafted so many incredibly complex and involved pieces, and suddenly I find myself not thinking so far ahead to the future steps and process of manufacture, but simply just starting. This one small realisation fills me with such a sense of accomplishment and gratitude towards every person who’s helped train and shape me as a jeweller in this beautiful and rewarding industry. 

Being awarded the south Australian Apprentice of the Year was astonishingly rewarding. Beginning as a written application, then progressing to an interview was a great opportunity to improve my communication in itself. Having my name announced as the winner, and working as an ambassador for our State’s VET training system ignited and reinforced the honour I feel handcrafting jewellery for others. This award brought forth so many wonderful opportunities sharing my journey through the VET system aswell as my passion for the jewellery industry in schools and events. Taking part on the board of the South Australian Training Commission and continuing to have the privilege of judging these awards years later.

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Published By
Chathula L. Kiripitige