The Making of OVERTONE
Captured in our Sydney studio, The Making of OVERTONE traces the design journey behind our new South Sea Pearl collection. In this short film, Co-founder and Creative Director Sarah Gittoes reflects on the inspiration and creative process that shape OVERTONE.
The collection begins with the interior life of the oyster, a living system that draws in water, circulates nutrients, and establishes the delicate equilibrium required for a pearl to form. By definition, overtone refers to the delicate secondary colours that appear within a pearl as it catches the light. Beyond its primary tone, subtle notes of blush, silver, or rose gently emerge and shift across the surface, revealing the pearl’s depth, dimension, and natural complexity.
The film also reveals how each design is shaped around the pearl, conceived in direct response to its unique contour and character. Gold and natural diamonds entwine each pearl, enhancing its luminosity while echoing the rhythm and flow of our underwater world.
Discover our new OVERTONE collection.
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ONDINE: A Feat of Craftsmanship
A masterwork of artistry and meticulous craftsmanship, our new collection Ondine is a meditation on the natural choreography of the sea — a balance of stillness and motion. In the vastness of the ocean, life moves in ritual. Each night, illuminated by moonlight, a silent procession begins. Billions of sea creatures ascend from the abyss, drawn to the surface in search of sustenance. With first light, they retreat to the deep. This daily pulse, known as vertical migration, is the largest movement of life on Earth. A natural choreography of instinct and transformation, it is the rhythm that shaped the ONDINE collection. The collection named after the mythical sea nymph, ONDINE echoes the ocean’s silent momentum. Meticulously crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and platinum, each piece awakens through motion, its presence revealed by shifting light. Intricately woven natural diamonds trace the rise of bioluminescent life, a fleeting shimmer before the return to darkness. “EACH PIECE AWAKENS THROUGH MOTION, IT’S PRESENCE REVEALED BY SHIFTING LIGHT.” At the centre of the collection lies the Ondine Bracelet, a masterwork of design and refined craftsmanship. More than 108 hours of expert labour and 730 hand-set diamonds are woven into a kinetic lattice that drapes across the wrist like silk armour — moving with the body, catching light in passing, and echoing the ocean’s ephemeral brilliance. Its construction speaks to rare technical skill: precious metal is shaped to flow like fabric while retaining architectural strength. Fluid folds are balanced by geometric precision, as the chequered interplay of 18-karat yellow gold and platinum enriches the silhouette with sculptural depth. “PRECIOUS METAL IS SHAPED TO FLOW LIKE FABRIC WHILE RETAINING ARCHITECTURAL STRENGTH.” A specially engineered 6cm spring clasp completes the piece — ensuring security while standing as a bold design statement, emblematic of the structural foundations of the ONDINE collection. Your browser does not support the video tag. ONDINE embodies movement refined by mastery. Precious metal flows with fluidity, diamonds capture fleeting light, and the ocean’s eternal rhythm is brought to life through craft. In every detail, the collection reflects a considered harmony — shaped by nature, perfected by artistry. All pieces are handcrafted in our Sydney studio, using 18-karat solid gold and ethically sourced natural diamonds
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Style Notes with Tamila: Ten Tips to Level Up Your Ear Styling
Our fine piercing team specialise in refined styling and technical precision, approaching each ear with intention and expertise. Rather than adhering to traditional notions of symmetry, we celebrate the individuality of every ear, working with its distinct contours and natural structure. Drawing on our collection of fine earrings and piercing jewellery, we create cohesive compositions that enhance natural form and feel elevated and artful. Curating your signature Ear Alchemy is a personal process shaped by style and intention. Join Tamila Purvis, Head of Ear Alchemy, as she shares her expert approach to refined ear styling. 1. FORM FIRST No two ears are the same, and effective styling begins by responding to natural form. Rather than following a fixed formula, piercings and jewellery are used to highlight proportion and balance. “Every ear has its own structure,” says Tamila. “The key is working with the space you have and enhancing it intentionally.” Generous lobes lend themselves to multiple piercings, with linear arrangements offering a timeless look and stacked placements providing a more modern alternative. SHOP THE LOOK 2. THE POINT OF FOCUS A single, well-placed piece can anchor the entire ear. “Choosing a standout design in a strategic position naturally draws the eye,” says Tamila. “Surrounding it with more understated styles creates balance and allows the focal piece to shine.” A statement in the conch creates a natural focal point at the centre of the ear, following its curve to add presence. More delicate styles along the outer ear provide balance. For those not ready to commit to a piercing, an ear cuff offers a refined alternative. SHOP THE LOOK 3. EMBRACE REPETITION Repeating a single style or motif can bring clarity and rhythm to an ear composition. “Using the same design more than once creates a sense of cohesion,” explains Tamila. “It’s about spacing each piece carefully so the ear feels balanced rather than uniform.” Distinctive motifs lend themselves especially well to this approach. A sculptural design such as the Urchin Cartilage Earring (pictured) can be echoed across multiple placements, introducing continuity while preserving character. SHOP THE LOOK 4. LET COLOUR LEAD Complimentary colour pops add depth, contrast, and individuality. Layered tones such as emerald and green tourmaline introduce dimension, transforming classic styling into a signature Ear Alchemy statement. “Colour has the ability to shift the entire composition,” says Tamila. “When stones are chosen thoughtfully, they bring personality and movement to the ear without overpowering it.” The result is a look that feels expressive, refined, and distinctly personal. SHOP THE LOOK 5. THE CONSTELLATION EFFECT A constellation of diamonds brings light and movement to the ear. Asymmetric designs create dimension and the illusion of additional piercings, bringing balance and effortless sophistication to any composition. “I often use fine diamond details to build a constellation across the ear,” says Tamila. “Pieces like the Gossamer (pictured) are perfect for adding depth and sparkle while keeping the finish refined and cohesive.” SHOP THE LOOK 6. COOL CONTRAST A distinctive ear composition is shaped through contrast. Pairing unexpected shapes and sculptural motifs with elegant diamond and emerald statement pieces creates a look that feels personal and intentional. The interplay between refined stones and expressive forms adds depth, allowing each element to stand apart while remaining balanced. “Your signature comes from mixing the unexpected with the timeless,” says Tamila. “That contrast is what makes an ear feel truly individual.” SHOP THE LOOK 7. CASCADING SILHOUETTES Adding movement to an ear composition creates dimension and visual interest. “I think of moving pieces as a way to soften the structure of the ear,” explains Tamila. “They bring fluidity and change the way jewellery sits and feels over time.” To keep the look refined, allow one piece with movement to take focus and compliment it with simpler studs or hoops. Building on this, combining different silhouettes introduces depth, while multiple pieces with cascading details create a more expressive, light-catching arrangement. SHOP THE LOOK 8. DIAMONDS FOR EVERMORE Diamonds remain a timeless foundation in ear styling, offering light, versatility, and lasting appeal. “An ear styled entirely in diamonds always feels considered,” says Tamila. Designed to bring focus to form, the Suspense Cartilage Earrings lend themselves to a diamond-forward composition. Set in a mix of diamond shapes in a pared-back setting, they appear to sit lightly along the ear, creating a look that feels refined yet impactful. 9. WHEN LESS IS MORE A considered ear doesn’t need to feel full to feel complete. When styling fewer piercings or leaning into a subtler look, negative space becomes part of the design, allowing each piece to stand on its own. As Tamila explains, “When you give pieces room to breathe, they take on a different kind of presence. A single, unexpected detail can say more than a layered combination.” Look for refined designs with a subtle point of difference. Styles like the Sea Star Earring (pictured) introduce texture through natural pavé diamonds. Playful yet refined, it brings depth without overwhelming the ear. SHOP THE LOOK 10. REWRITE THE RULES Ear styling doesn’t have to follow a formula. The most compelling combinations often come from instinct, not structure, allowing personality to shape the final look. As Tamila puts it, “There’s no right or wrong way to style your ear. When you stop thinking in terms of rules, the result feels more expressive and distinctly your own.” Start by bringing together pieces that wouldn’t traditionally be paired. Contrast shapes, scales, and motifs, and experiment with how they sit across different parts of the ear. The goal is simple: have fun with it. SHOP THE LOOK EAR ALCHEMY EAR STYLING: BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT Crafting your unique Ear Alchemy is an exciting personal journey; a testament to your style and individuality, and a celebration of your unique ear anatomy. Through an immersive experience, our complimentary Ear Alchemy Styling Appointment is the ultimate discovery session to explore ear styling as a form of self-expression and browse our extensive range of stud earrings, hoops and piercing jewellery. Each appointment is tailored to you, with expert advice and personalised guidance from our dedicated piercing team, including piercing placements, creative compositions and jewellery combinations based on your distinctive ear anatomy. Book your Ear Alchemy Styling appointment with SARAH & SEBASTIAN today. BOOK NOW [featured_products]
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Postcards from Hayman Island: Behind the Scenes of the SARAH & SEBASTIAN Holiday Campaign
Come behind the scenes as our team travels to the Whitsundays to shoot our holiday campaign at the iconic InterContinental Resort on the sandy shores of Hayman Island. Set against coral beaches, nostalgic architecture and crystalline water, SARAH & SEBASTIAN on Holiday was inspired by the art of the vacation – a reflection on leisure, ritual and the pastimes that keep us occupied on idyllic island days. We captured moments across a series of dreamy locations, hit the tennis courts for a rally, and submerged ourselves in one of the largest lagoon pools in the Southern Hemisphere. The campaign showcases some of our most loved collections including iconic pieces from Gossamer, iridescent opals from Aurelia, oceanic sapphires in the Marine Engagement Collection, and the architectural precision of SUSPENSE. [featured_images1] At its heart, our holiday campaign celebrates the Australian festive season; the unique joy of a Christmas spent in the sun, and the beauty of giving and receiving gifts with deep meaning. We can’t wait for you to discover the campaign and join SARAH & SEBASTIAN on Holiday. [featured_images2]
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