Born through a chance meeting, passion and dedication, XRONOS Fine Jewellery has made its own path in the jewellery industry over the last three years. Established by Geordan and Ellen Polichronis, the pair’s passion for the art of jewellery and their meticulous dedication to the craft has allowed them to develop their business in Brisbane from the roots, creating pieces which transcend time.

The Power of Initiative

Geordan’s obsession with the world of jewellery was one which started in highschool. As someone who always “knew he wanted a career that involved working with his hands”, his year 9 self was browsing the internet watching blacksmithing videos as a spark of inspiration. Soon afterwards, upon discovering the craft of jewellery making, the intrigue allowed him to secure a “casual job in high school working for a respected Brisbane jeweller”.

With ambition driving him, he furthered his own skill set by teaching himself 3D modelling through CAD design and modelling. All the while absorbing all he could about the craft through a master jeweller who “placed an emphasis on traditional handmaking techniques” integral to Geordan’s knowledge as a jeweller. Whilst continuously developing his skills, Geordan and Ellen initially used XRONOS as a creative outlet for personal designs, however, over the past two years, steady and sustainable growth allowed Geordan and Ellen to dive right in. This has now led to the newly opened studio and workshop in Brisbane and it has “hit the ground running!”

Evolving through Time

From its inception, Xronos has created timeless jewellery through and through. A play in both the name Polichronis as well as referring to the Greek “Chronis”, the name hints at the initial Greek symbolism that first held much significance in the early pieces. However, as the brand they have pivoted towards engagement, ceremonial, and bespoke pieces, a venture which Geordan and Ellen are “passionate about and love the most”. It has evolved into one which balances the “romance and allure of jewellery with the strength and form of the craft itself.”

Currently, Geordan and Ellen have a signature style which balances “classic silhouettes and form with modern approaches”. However, they still offer a wide variety of jewellery options in their fine jewellery range. Especially in this ever-changing climate, Xronos is always fluid and in motion. “Every brand evolves. What you start with isn’t necessarily what you end up doing down the track.” However, staying true to their roots, they try “not to reinvent the wheel, or fall into the trap of what’s trendy”. Instead, utilising known techniques, they strive to create unique designs which can be loved always.

Steel Sharpens Steel

Geordan and Ellen have worked hand in hand paving the way for Xronos to succeed. Being able to bounce ideas off of each other, the two have helped each other consolidate their skills and create beautiful designs. Because of this, they have been able to really feel the “intention and sentiment behind ” each of their pieces, especially in the bespoke and engagement side of their jewellery making. The representation of commitment is one which is “really special, and incredibly fulfilling for them”, and with this in mind, Geordan crafts all the pieces with a “focus on strength and durability in the design”.

In addition to this, a lot of the inspiration behind designs comes from the gemstones which they work with. Often saving specific designs and ideas for “when they find the perfect stone”, it allows them to release their creativity and break away from some of their usual signature pieces. Working with both a variety of natural and lab-grown materials, Xronos showcases a range of gemstones in their pieces. However, they especially like showcasing “natural Australian sapphires and Australian diamonds”.

Making Dreams Come True

Geordan and Ellen work incredibly hard in order to make Xronos a brand where the client knows that they are a priority. With a “dedicated space where clients can come in and explore a curated range, or design one-on-one”, the bespoke process is definitely one worth experiencing. To aid their customers, they are also highly vigilant, recognising trends in gemstones such as “white diamond solitaires, as well as sapphires in green and icy blue”. Xronos recognises that they “have to be willing to go on the journey with their customers too”. Understanding that purchasing fine jewellery, or creating a design is usually not on impulse, but rather one often tied with a “lot of emotion for the customer”.

Xronos’ services reflect this client-centric process, with their remodelling service as well. Specifically “recycling gold and repurposing gemstones into new designs”. It is extremely fulfilling for both Geordan and Ellen as they can see the client’s visions of a once-existing piece resurrected, or being “brought to life, particularly when it holds sentimental value, such as incorporating a loved one’s jewellery who may have passed away.” The pair recognise that this kind of request is one which allows people to “continue the legacy of customer’s heirloom jewellery”, creating a piece which they can treasure and love. “It’s a privilege to craft something that carries meaning like that.”

To Infinity and Beyond

As in any business venture, there are always challenges which are present. However, Geordan and Ellen are constantly working through, finding solutions to problems, and stepping forwards. In the early days of their business, a challenge was definitely investment, as “raw material itself is very valuable and an upfront investment can be very daunting starting out”. However, they were able to find the right balance of utilising novel designs to create their beautiful pieces, without overdoing it. “We’re lucky the start of our business had a focus on custom pieces, and this has really allowed our business to flourish and expand.”

Very recently Geordan and Ellen celebrated a “pretty big milestone”, open the doors to a new and beautiful studio in West End, Brisbane – and with great success as well. And even with this, their goals for the near future are to “come out with more new engagement and ceremonial designs”. They recognise that a significant aspect of their work is enabling clients to try on different designs and get a feel for what they like – and as such, they are busily working on both classic and modern designs for clients to explore. “For now, our goal is to continue offering a really high-quality, tailored design experience for our clients and see where the journey takes us.”

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A Message to Future Jewellers

Embrace the journey. “If I had to go back when I was fresh on the bench, I’d say to keep being creative and experiment. Don’t get stuck creating in only the set ways you’ve been taught, but be open to new perspectives and ideas, because innovation helps overcome challenges. Creativity is what keeps the industry moving forward.” Keep creating designs that are unique. Take hold of each idea that you have, and don’t be afraid to incorporate it into your designs, because that will make your piece truly yours. Also, understand that we make jewellery not only for ourselves, but for our clients. “It’s about going on the journey with your client, being patient, and being transparent. Some clients are ready to jump in straight away, and others can take their time and even come back months later – it’s all part of the job.”

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Published By
Chathula L. Kiripitige FGAA. GIA AJP