Gem of an idea breathes new life into 'lost treasures'

An amazing Queen Victoria-era diamond ring plucked from the scrapheap, the rarest of African sapphires and a gleaming tribute to an legendary Australian craftsman ... welcome to the wonderful world of Vintage Jewellery Hoarders.

Created by two Sunshine Coast mums, one a former English teacher and the other a childcare educator, it's a world that is being embraced by a savvy new wave of consumers searching for something unique ... preloved and restored pieces with heart and history.

Customers come from far and wide with vintage-loving folk from the Coast hinterland, including Maleny, among their biggest fans.

Lifelong friends Kirsty Webb and Jacqui Finnegan, who grew up together in Kenya, created their clever business to celebrate a shared passion for jewellery. Because it's online and there's no shop rent to pay, prices are much lower. Their captivating wares are also super easy to view - and purchase.

You can find a treasure trove of exotic rings, bracelets, necklaces, charms, pendants and earrings that all have their own compelling stories that you can learn about before you buy - perhaps for a special and meaningful milestone present for yourself or a loved one.

Kirsty and Jacqui research, rescue and repair jewellery from throughout Australia - and the world - saving, refashioning and repurposing many incredible heirlooms that would otherwise have been melted down and destroyed ... lost forever.

Examples of their offerings include a 1928 Australian sterling silver shilling pendant listed at $95, an ethically sourced East African dark teal parti sapphire 14ct white and rose gold ring available for $3600 and an Old Cut sapphire and diamond star ring in 18ct yellow gold priced at $1690. It was created in the walled city of Chester in 1896, the year the modern Olympics began, X-rays were invented and Queen Victoria ruled.

Kirsty and Jacqui love items that breathe new life into history, including the fabulous wealth and offerings from Australia's Gold Rush era.

After discovering a ring they considered to be truly amazing, they researched the craftsman behind it, finding out as much as they could about H. G. Rogers, of Adelaide, who produced his masterpieces in the early 1900s.

Spark that turned passion into purpose

Kirsty said that when she was getting engaged, her sister-in-law was determined for her to have a ring from a big chain jeweller.

"I could think of nothing worse, so I started looking into the vintage market in Australia,'' she said.

"What I discovered was a huge amount of local treasures going unloved, and worse - melted for scrap.

"These were quality offerings that deserved appreciation and a future where they could be enjoyed by a new generation of jewellery lovers.

"As it turns out, there are plenty who think the same as we do and our small venture has quickly transformed into a fully fledged company based right here on the Sunshine Coast, but with customers from throughout the nation and overseas.''

Jacqui said that what drew her into the business was sentimentality.

"Shop-bought jewellery has its place, but sometimes you want something unique, something with a story to it,'' she said.

"My favourite pieces of jewellery in my own collection are those my grandmother left me.” 

"What we found when we began our search for treasures were a lot of family heirlooms that had lost their way. These included incredible Old Cut stones, centuries-old rings from around the world and also some Aussie classics.''

Wonders from the heart of Africa

East African gems have also been a passion project for Nairobi-raised Kirsty and Jacqui. Sourced through an Australian gem dealer who now lives in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Kirsty said the dealer personally visited the mines and paid workers fairly, even teaching them to sort, value and classify gems - all to ensure a thriving ongoing market. 

"Cut in Australia by a family run company, these gems are unheated, untreated and have each been cut to maximise their own beauty,'' she said.

"Parti sapphires are one of our favourite stones for a couple of excellent reasons: they are only found in three places in the world - Australia, Kenya and Montana (US), are fabulously unique and they have not been able to find a way to make them synthetically. 

"The ones we are getting from Kenya can be traced to a tiny town of 5500 people in Isiolo County, a tiny pocket where the most amazing multi-colour sapphires come out the ground.''

You can find this inspiring business on Instagram @shopvjh, follow their hoarding adventure @vintage.jewellery.hoarders or find them online at vintagejewelleryhoarders.com

Pics courtesy of vintagejewelleryhoarders.com

Sunshine Coast mums Kirsty Webb and Jacqui Finnegan have turned their passion for vintage jewellery into a thriving business.

Vintage Jewellery Hoarders look for the highest-quality pre-loved jewellery.

A stunning sapphire and diamond star ring in 18ct yellow gold from the Queen Victoria era.

An amazing Old Cut Solitaire in 18ct Yellow and White Gold by H. G. Rogers of Adelaide.