Blog
Here we provide insight into our inspirations, share our jewellery making processes and our love of beautiful things.
2022 PIKE Collection Pendant
Hello there, it’s been quite a while since I have written to you all – in fact it was a year ago. I can’t believe that my last blog and…
Read more...Recent commissions
I would like to share some of our latest commissions – they have given us and our clients so much pleasure. Ruby and diamond ring The first commission which comes…
Read more...2021 Christmas Collection
In so many ways 2021 has been a year like no other and one we won’t forget easily. I’m sure this heightened awareness of so many concerns is reinforced by…
Read more...From the bench: solitaire princess cut engagement ring
Making a classic PIKE style 4 claw solitaire ring with princess cut diamond. Starting with a square section of 18 ct white gold, a piece is cut off to the…
Read more...Designing engagement and wedding rings
Hello! The beginning of 2021 at PIKE Jewellers has been very busy, in particular in designing and manufacturing solitaire diamond rings and matching wedding rings, and I would like to…
Read more...Happy festive season
Hi everyone This is my last blog for 2020, and I am still amazed at the vast changes we have all experienced this year. This has been a year like…
Read more...Opals
Hello, I hope you are well and are coping through these most testing times. Very fortunately, jewellery making at PIKE’s has been very busy with many commissions involving setting customer’s…
Read more...The 2020 PIKE Collection
This year I wanted to create a continuous fluid form as a pendant capturing an elongated tapering shape about 6cm long. The highly polished finish and the classic shape gives…
Read more...What to do with your old jewellery
Hello there During the last few months of very worrying events, a lot of people have been at home and the conversations we’ve had with customers often relate to finding…
Read more...Pearls, pearls, pearls
We have made so many beautiful pieces that feature the stunning gemstone pearl. There are so many different types of pearls including South Sea and Tahitian, freshwater that are available…
Read more...Photographing pearls
Hello from one of the few jewellers in Adelaide who has been able to remain open during this very anxious time. As a jeweller, designer and an artist I have…
Read more...Remodelling while retaining original beauty
For many years I have been asked to pull apart beautiful and intrinsic pieces of old jewellery that are beautifully made and wonderfully realised due to their gemstone content and…
Read more...Pink and white diamond ring
This blog post was written in collaboration with Nicholas and the clients. The commission began with Pike Jewellers being recommended to our clients through a friend and diamond setter Stephen…
Read more...Celebrations, Olga and peridot
Hello to you all. This month we are celebrating many things – the commencement of our sixth year at Highgate, completion of two very complex and lengthy commissions that were…
Read more...Designing the 2019 PIKE Collection pendant – let us know what you think!
The beginning of another collection for PIKE The weather may be dreary and cold but I find it an energizing time for designing. Sitting in a warm room with a…
Read more...Tourmaline at PIKE
We have always loved tourmaline at PIKE because of the amazing variety of colours they offer. Here are some of the colours: If you have fallen in love with…
Read more...My favourite gemstones
I am constantly impressed by the beauty of sapphires. Long gone are my days of thinking of sapphire as just ‘blue’; after working at Pike for almost 3 years I’ve been exposed to…
Read more...The beauty of Tourmaline
Tourmaline – and my alternative birthstone for October. It is really hard to believe that it’s nearly the middle of the year; I have had an amazing beginning to this…
Read more...PIKE in Croatia
We love to hear from our clients about how much they enjoy their PIKE jewellery, and we have just received a fantastic email from one of clients who is travelling…
Read more...Textured gold
Hi everyone! At last, some decent rain, hasn’t it been wonderful! Recently, we flew to Sydney to celebrate the wedding of two very special friends, and I had an opportunity…
Read more...Diamond remodelling
Here are some of our recent diamond remodelling commissions. Please enjoy and click on each image to read the story behind the commissions: To see more of our stunning remodelling…
Read more...Remodelling diamonds
As you are aware from my previous blogs, something I love to do is remodel existing jewellery, to re-imagine a group of often forgotten pieces and give them a new…
Read more...The joy of making an engagement ring
Hello again Thank you for all of the positive comments about my first blog, I hope you enjoy this one as much. I have known the customer who commissioned this…
Read more...The history of engagement rings
Firstly congratulations Matthew on your great blog last month, it was exciting to share and enjoy your first story and I’m looking forward to many more. Your perspective and ability…
Read more...An amazing ring for an amazing customer
Hello, my name is Matthew Pike, and I am the manufacturing jeweller at PIKE. This is my first blog post, so go easy! I recently had the pleasure of making…
Read more...A contemporary remodelling commission
I wanted to share a recent commission I did for a client who first visited me at our Fullarton Road store in 1978 and has remained a long-standing client and friend. She asked about having…
Read more...An exciting pink diamond commission
Happy New Year everyone and I wish you good health, happiness and prosperity over the year ahead. I want to share a beautiful story with you, with the blessing of…
Read more...A ‘branch’ of diamonds
Hi everyone, December is here and what a year 2018 has been for us. We have completed some of the most rewarding contemporary, classic, simple and complicated pieces, all of…
Read more...Personalising the 2018 PIKE Collection
Hi everyone I hope you’ve had time to visit our great new website and discover all the amazing content we have showcased. We worked hard as a team to make…
Read more...Birthstones explained
The process of understanding the range of gems representing both calendar months and zodiac dates began for me years ago. Recently, I was commissioned to design a bangle that was…
Read more...Personalising in a subtle way
Some of the ways we personalise our handmade jewellery at PIKE are very subtle, while some are more obvious – but they are always designed for the pleasure of the…
Read more...Another layer of personalisation
So, we’re past the winter solstice and although we need lots more rain, I really love this time of the year. It’s conducive for my design work because I’m invigorated…
Read more...Using hand engraving to add depth to design
We use hand engraving at PIKE to add depth to our designs. We are very lucky to have an amazing hand engraver in Adelaide who helps Nicholas’ designs come to…
Read more...The art of hand engraving
It’s June – shorter days and quite cold, so I can think of nothing better than a hearty meal in warm surrounds with family and friends or maybe sitting in…
Read more...Living my values
Hello everyone. I have been sitting at my computer for about an hour writing a list of interesting things that I enjoy and have noticed a strong consistent thread in…
Read more...Aquamarines, aquamarines, aquamarines
We have had some requests recently to share some of our beautiful designs using Aquamarine; this beautiful blue gemstone has always been one of our favourite gemstones to work with,…
Read more...The beauty of diamonds
We love using diamonds at PIKE, and wanted to share some of our latest commissions that feature these beautiful gemstones with you:
Read more...Diamonds
Hi everyone I love this time of year because the weather seems more constant and the public holidays have given us more time to spend with family and friends. And…
Read more...Some of our favourites from the last 12 months: Part 2.
We love looking back at the beautiful pieces we have the privilege of making at PIKE. Here are some of the gorgeous pieces we have made in the last twelve…
Read more...The beauty of Marimekko
Well, it’s Mad March in Adelaide and there is so much happening. The weather has been glorious and it must be gratifying for all the organisers of particularly the outside…
Read more...A family necklace
In a recent blog, I mentioned a necklace we have been commissioned to make which has been a real milestone for us. It is now completed. It is a very…
Read more...The jewellery ‘makeover’.
I hope your New Year has begun well and if you had the chance to take a Xmas break, I hope you are refreshed and willing to take on whatever…
Read more...Some of our favourites from the last twelve months: Part 1.
We always enjoy looking back at the beautiful pieces that we have made, and we wanted to share some of our favourites from 2017 with you. Here are half of…
Read more...Happy New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you had a very happy festive season and got to spend time with your loved ones doing fun things. When starting a new year, I…
Read more...Reflecting on a wonderful 2017
Can you believe it’s nearly Xmas! December each year seems to be a time that I reflect back and celebrate the amazing pieces that have been commissioned. It is no…
Read more...Classic three stone ring
One of our most popular requests for design and making stories from our customers is the three stone ring: a classic favourite. While we specialise in remodelling commissions at PIKE,…
Read more...Remodelling magic: two tone diamond ring
This beautiful two-tone diamond ring started as a pair of stud earrings and two rings: The three larger diamonds were all of similar size, so Nicholas had to get…
Read more...Fascination with fish
Fascination with Fish I have been on a voyage of discovery this month and it’s all about fish. My research into the historical meaning of fish has been intriguing. The…
Read more...PIKE Christmas Collections: past and present
The PIKE Jewellers Christmas Collection began in 2014. It began as a commitment to creating a collection of beautiful quality, affordable jewellery and introducing a new, interesting and collectable design…
Read more...The inspiration for the PIKE Christmas Collection 2017.
Hi everyone It is October already, and I am excited to tell you we have just launched this year’s Christmas Collection! You may remember that since opening at Highgate we…
Read more...The making of the Christmas Collection 2017
The PIKE Jewellers Christmas Collection 2017 is inspired by nature. Nicholas drew this beautiful cluster of leaf pendants one evening, and couldn’t wait to bring them in to reality. And…
Read more...Pearls reborn
The warm weather is on its way and the dormant things in our garden are beginning to show new growth. It seems to have been colder this year, and it…
Read more...Modern pearls
Remodelling is one of the things we love to do most at PIKE. And remodelling pearls is always a fun and creative process! See how Nicholas has breathed new, modern…
Read more...Pearl engagement ring
Pearls are not the most obvious choice for the main stone in an engagement ring. This beautiful pearl and diamond ring is just that – a stunning engagement ring. And…
Read more...International windows
Nicholas has always believed in the power of a beautifully thought out and crafted window display, to complement his recognisable jewellery designs. While at Burnside Village, he created many striking,…
Read more...Clean Lines
There are some customers who come to PIKE with a very clear inspiration for the jewellery they would like us to make them. In the case of this beautiful…
Read more...Windows of the soul
Hello, and I want to thank everyone who has sent me sentiments of sympathy after the death of my mother Kitty in early July. She was a lovely mum, and…
Read more...A tribute to my lovely mother
My dearest mother Kit I will miss you terribly, but I want at this time to truly celebrate your life. I celebrate your many achievements over your ninety one years:…
Read more...Sapphire and diamonds reinvented
We love remodelling at PIKE. This remodelling commission involved Nicholas reinventing an oval blue sapphire and some diamonds of varying sizes: Nicholas considered all of the stones and designed a…
Read more...Water inspiration
Nicholas has always been inspired by water, in particular the ocean. This beautiful element of nature has influenced his watercolour painting (read more about that here), as well as his…
Read more...Water: how it inspires me
Hello everyone It’s July already, and we have just celebrated our third birthday at Highgate. Can you believe that we established this new business three years ago? I’d like to…
Read more...Diamonds reinvented
The commission of the remodelling of this ring involved turning three rings into one. There were 5 larger sized diamonds from one ring, and them a number of smaller stones…
Read more...Gardens and Floral Inspiration
Hello everyone Thank you to the readers who have taken the time to contact me about my blogs. I am happy that so many of you write and comment, and…
Read more...Inspired by flora
Nature has been a source of inspiration for artists including painters, sculptors and jewellers for hundreds of years. Flowers, in particular, have been a strong theme for jewellery. Here are…
Read more...Four stone beauty
How did Nicholas and Matthew turn the four diamonds from these old rings and earrings into this beautiful ring? Follow their process here: Matthew starts every piece by melting gold,…
Read more...Wendts, Bell & Brunt, and Julius Schomburgk
Hi everyone Easter is over, and the cold weather is suddenly upon us. I hope you all enjoyed the break – we were commenting at work only recently that although…
Read more...Weddings and anniversaries
The month of April has always been special to me and my family. Helen’s birthday is in April, as is our wedding anniversary and this month always heralds beautiful Autumn…
Read more...From studs to stunning drops
From simple diamond studs to a pair of stunning drop earrings: These beautiful earrings were created by Matthew using over 20 individual processes of hand making. Here, we share some…
Read more...The magic behind remodelling at PIKE
Mad March in Adelaide! We are so lucky to live in such an amazing city. It’s a wonderful and vibrant place to live particularly at Festival time when there is…
Read more...Aquamarines, aquamarines, aquamarines
It’s the month of March, which means it’s beautiful Aquamarine time. Aquamarine has always been one of our favourite gemstones to work with, and is also one of most requested…
Read more...Maria Felix and Cartier
There have been some famous collaborations between creative artists and famous jewellery houses over the years, and one that has resulted in some very unique jewellery is that between Mexican…
Read more...Working as a creative has its challenges
Hello to you all, I hope you are getting through the extreme hot weather. It’s February and birthday time for two members of my family. I wish them both a…
Read more...Dream designs
As we start 2017, I wanted to share some of my dream designs. I have always loved designing artistic, out-of-the-box jewellery pieces, which I was reminded of when I was…
Read more...A three stone diamond ring with a difference
This month, we’re sharing a very different diamond ring. It features three larger round diamonds, as well as some tapered baguette diamonds, which can be challenging to design with. Here,…
Read more...Happy New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here we go – 2017. Recently so many of our television channels showed events representing 2016 and focused on so many awful and heart wrenching stories. I…
Read more...New beginnings
Welcome to our first remodelling story of 2017. This commission started when our customer came to Nicholas with some rings that she wasn’t wearing anymore: And the brief was…
Read more...From Burnside Village to Highgate
Can you believe it’s December again? PIKE Jewellers is celebrating its third Christmas in the new location at Highgate. Wow the time has flown! It seems like it was only…
Read more...Personalising the 2016 PIKE Christmas Collection
Nicholas has had lots of enquiries about the 2016 PIKE Christmas Collection and how it can be personalised, so we’re sharing some of his suggestions of how it can be…
Read more...Live window displays and the Million Dollar Hat
I cannot believe it is only five weeks to Christmas, it seems only a few months ago that I was writing my blog leading to the festive season of 2015.…
Read more...How did Nicholas design and make the 2016 Christmas Collection?
This year, he tried something a bit different. He was interested in getting some input from some of a range of PIKE customers, and invited them to a series of…
Read more...Lost wax technique: Nicholas explains how it works.
Working in Wax For centuries a method of producing jewellery called lost wax has been used. It is a process that begins with a model made from wax and ends…
Read more...‘Evening Brilliants’ and the Burnside Village era
Hello to you all. It’s Saturday and I have just come inside after sitting in our back garden having a most relaxing brunch. After the last few weeks of extremely…
Read more...Sapphire and diamonds
This month we are sharing how we made a ring that started with an original sapphire and diamond three stone that Nicholas made many years ago (below): Our customer was…
Read more...When Nicholas’ imagination runs wild
We have had a request to show some of Nicholas’ designs, and have decided to share what happens when he lets his imagination run wild… All of these are available…
Read more...PIKE in the city: the beginning of the famous PIKE windows
Hi everyone I hope you are all well and avoiding the change of season colds and flu and now surprisingly Spring hayfever! Thank you for your favourable comments over the…
Read more...How gemstones are shaped, faceted and polished
Have you ever wondered how gemstones are cut into the beautiful shapes you buy them in? At a reader’s request, we’re sharing the process with you this month: People who…
Read more...Why the fish?
Hello to all my readers and I hope you found it interesting reading about my early years as I began my journey into adulthood and into the world of creating…
Read more...A family stone
How many people can say they wear a gemstone that was hand cut by a family member? This month we’re showing you how Nicholas and Matthew designed and hand made…
Read more...The art of a halo cluster
Have you ever wondered how the very popular halo cluster engagement rings are hand made? This month, we share one of our champagne diamond engagement rings, carefully designed by Nicholas…
Read more...The history of Nicholas…
Firstly, thank you to all the participants of our first 2016 Design Workshops, which we held in May and June in our studio at Highgate. The format for the evenings…
Read more...A striking commitment ring
This beautiful ladies commitment ring is the perfect complement to the gents ring we featured last month (read about how we made the gents ring here). Nicholas’ brief was to…
Read more...PIKE and Paspaley
Hello everyone I hope you are all well and avoiding the change of season illnesses. From what we have experienced personally and from the news our clients bring, there have…
Read more...Pushing the boundaries
At PIKE, we are committed to designing and hand making rings that are beautiful, unique and push the boundaries of both design and manufacture, while still remaining wearable and timeless.…
Read more...European travels
Welcome to my May blog. I hope you are all enjoying this change in the weather, and although it is beautiful I know there are many people wanting lots and…
Read more...A stunning transformation
How did Nicholas and Matthew turn these broken rings into this stunning new one? The re-modelling that we do at PIKE doesn’t always happen by choice. In this case, the…
Read more...Diamonds, love and weddings
Well it’s already April, and I really struggled with what topic I would cover this month as I find some months the words don’t always flow easily. But then it…
Read more...Men’s Rings at PIKE
We make fantastic men’s rings at PIKE. From classic, plain 6mm wide comfortable wedding rings to intricate and complex, modern designs, we love making them. There was a request from…
Read more...Nicholas’ Blog: Leap years and hand engraving
Hello and I hope you are all enjoying this amazing weather and the beginning of Mad March. As we all know, 2016 is a leap year and I hadn’t realised…
Read more...