Top 10 Women’s Necklace Manufacturers in Australia

If you type “best necklace brands in Australia” into Google, you’ll get a dozen lists of jewellery labels. Most mix earrings, rings and handbags with the odd pendant, and very few tell you who actually makes the necklace sitting in your cart.

 

That’s the gap this guide fills. We’ve looked only at women’s necklaces: chains, pendants, lockets, pearls and personalised pieces. We’ve also separated three very different things that usually get lumped together: brands that design and make in Australian studios, Australian trade manufacturers that supply other jewellers, and overseas workshops that produce for Australian labels.

 

Whether you’re buying one special piece or sourcing a necklace range for your boutique, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for by the end.

How we chose these necklace makers?

A brand only made our list if it does necklaces properly, not as an afterthought. We weighed five things:

1. Where it’s made. Is the necklace made in an Australian studio, by an Australian trade manufacturer, or overseas? We say which, every time.
2. What it’s made of. Solid gold, sterling silver, vermeil and plated brass are very different buys. We only list brands that are upfront about their metals.
3. Necklace range. Chains, pendants, lockets, pearls or personalised pieces you’d actually want to wear.
4. Price transparency. Clear price ranges listed on the brand’s own site.
5. Trust signals. Physical studios or stores, warranties, repair or replating services, and ethical sourcing such as recycled metals or Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) certification.

The three kinds of “necklace manufacturer” in Australia

This is the part most lists skip, and it changes what you should expect from a brand.

• Designer-makers. Small Australian studios that design and hand-finish pieces in-house, often in Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay or regional Victoria. Expect higher prices, smaller runs and more character.
• Trade manufacturers. Businesses such as Palloys that cast, chain-make and finish jewellery for other jewellers. You probably won’t buy from them directly, but many “local” pieces start in their workshops.
• Overseas manufacturing partners. Workshops in places like Jaipur, Bangkok and Bali that produce for Australian labels. Plenty of excellent Australian brands work this way. The honest ones say “designed in Australia” rather than “made in Australia”.

The top 10 women’s necklace manufacturers and makers in Australia

1. Palloys: Australia’s oldest custom jewellery manufacturer

Palloys has been around since 1951. It’s the name that comes up when Australian jewellers talk about who actually casts, chains and finishes their work. It was the first Australian jewellery manufacturer and wholesaler certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council, and it runs an LBMA-accredited refinery. It has locations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

• Made: Australia (trade manufacturer)
• Necklace capability: Custom pendants and necklaces cast from your CAD file or design brief, a dedicated chain range, findings, and the largest rubber mould library in Australasia
• Who it’s for: Jewellers, retailers and designers. It’s business-to-business only.

2. Sarah & Sebastian: minimalist fine necklaces, made to order

This Sydney label is the go-to for understated gold and diamond pieces that still look right ten years on. Metals and stones are ethically sourced, many pieces are made to order, and its Metallurgy collection uses Australian recycled gold and silver.

• Made: Sydney-based, made to order
• Necklace highlights: Fine chains, delicate diamond pendants, solid gold everyday pieces
• Metals: Solid gold, sterling silver, diamonds
• Price range: About 80–45,000
• Best for: A “forever” necklace you’ll never take off

3. Natasha Schweitzer: handcrafted luxury from Brisbane

This is a family business run by two Brisbane sisters who learned the trade from their gemmologist mother. Every piece is handcrafted in Australia. The look is refined and minimal, and it’s been spotted on Miranda Kerr and Margaret Zhang.

• Made: Handcrafted in Australia
• Necklace highlights: Sculptural gold pendants and diamond-set pieces, plus pearl and gemstone designs
• Metals: Solid yellow, white and rose gold with ethically sourced diamonds
• Price range: About 65–45,000
• Best for: A milestone gift such as a 30th, 40th or new baby

4. Najo: Australia’s sterling silver specialist since 1986

Jo Tory started Najo in 1986 after time spent with silversmiths in Mexico, and her mother was a silversmith too. Nearly 40 years later, silver is still the heart of the brand. Expect organic shapes like pebbles and dewdrops, often with touches of gold plating.

• Made: Australian-designed label
• Necklace highlights: Sculptural silver pendants and statement chains
• Metals: 925 sterling silver, some 18ct gold plating, gemstones
• Price range: About 49–949
• Best for: Silver lovers on a mid-range budget

5. By Charlotte: sentimental pendants and lockets

Charlotte Blakeney built By Charlotte around love and meaning, and its Lotus locket was the brand’s very first piece. It’s now one of the most recognisable necklaces in Australia, with birthstone, coin and symbolic pendants alongside it.

• Made: Australian-designed label
• Necklace highlights: Lotus locket (about $199 in sterling silver, $999 in 14ct solid gold), Figaro chain necklace (about $679), birthstone and coin pendants
• Metals: Sterling silver, 18ct gold vermeil, 14ct solid gold
• Price range: About 29–1,499
• Best for: A meaningful gift under $250

6. Temple of the Sun: gold vermeil done properly

Byron Bay founder Yonna Derofe uses 18ct gold vermeil, a thick layer of gold over a solid 925 sterling silver base. That matters because when the gold eventually wears, the piece can be replated rather than thrown out. The silver is ethically sourced or recycled, and nickel-free.

• Made: Byron Bay-based label
• Necklace highlights: Symbol-led pendants and layering chains
• Metals: 18ct gold vermeil over sterling silver, solid gold, gemstones
• Price range: About 89–31,819
• Best for: Gold looks on a silver budget, without the green-neck problem of cheap plating

7. Francesca: lockets and engraved necklaces from Tasmania

Sisters Hannah and Rachel Vasicek started Francesca at Hobart’s Salamanca Markets. It now has stores in Hobart and Melbourne’s CBD and more than 9,000 five-star reviews. Its locket builder lets you pick a locket, choose a chain and have a photo printed inside.

• Made: Australian-made jewellery brand
• Necklace highlights: Photo lockets, engraved heart and spinning initial pendants, charm necklaces
• Metals: Silver, gold and rose gold finishes
• Price range: Personalised necklaces from about 209–420
• Best for: Personalised gifts for Mother’s Day, birthdays and memorial pieces

8. Argent Silversmith: handmade in the Victorian Alps

Elizabeth Hermann and her small team handcraft every Argent piece in the foothills of the Victorian Alps near Falls Creek. The designs borrow from the landscape: valley curves, forest silhouettes and a night sky set with diamonds or moissanite.

• Made: Handmade in regional Victoria
• Necklace highlights: Bespoke organic pendants and nature-inspired chains
• Metals: Sterling silver, recycled 9ct solid gold, diamonds, moissanite
• Price range: About 30–3,400
• Best for: A truly handmade, sustainable piece from a small Australian studio

9. Black Finch: colourful gemstone pendants from Melbourne

Raymond de Zwart launched Black Finch in Melbourne in 2008. It’s built a following for colour: pink and green sapphires, pearls and diamonds set in recycled 9ct gold, with a playful line of charms.

• Made: Designed and crafted by hand in Melbourne
• Necklace highlights: Gemstone pendants and collectable charms you can build up over time
• Metals: Recycled 9ct gold, ethically sourced sapphires, conflict-free diamonds
• Price range: About 220–12,970
• Best for: Someone who wants colour rather than another plain gold chain

10. Saint Valentine: refined everyday necklaces from Sydney

Georgia Wyrill started Saint Valentine in 2016 with a market stall at Bondi. Today it has a boutique in Manly and stockists across Australia. Many designs are handmade in its Sydney studio using hypoallergenic, nickel-free materials, and new pieces arrive in six to eight small capsule collections a year.

• Made: Many designs handmade in Sydney
• Necklace highlights: Simple pendants and chains designed to be worn daily
• Metals: Sterling silver, gold finishes, white topaz and other stones
• Price range: About 89–365
• Best for: Sensitive skin and affordable everyday wear

Side-by-side comparison

Brand	Base	Main necklace metals	Price range (AUD)	Best for
Palloys	NSW, VIC, QLD, WA	Gold, platinum, silver alloys	Trade pricing	Jewellers and retailers
Sarah & Sebastian	Sydney	Solid gold, silver, diamonds	80–45,000	Minimalist fine jewellery
Natasha Schweitzer	Brisbane	Solid gold, diamonds, pearls	65–45,000	Milestone gifts
Najo	Australia	Sterling silver, gold plating	49–949	Silver lovers
By Charlotte	Australia	Silver, vermeil, 14ct gold	29–1,499	Meaningful pendants
Temple of the Sun	Byron Bay	18ct vermeil over 925 silver	89–31,819	Long-lasting gold look
Francesca	Hobart and Melbourne	Silver, gold, rose gold finishes	209–420 (personalised necklaces)	Lockets and engraving
Argent Silversmith	Victorian Alps	Silver, recycled 9ct gold	30–3,400	Handmade and sustainable
Black Finch	Melbourne	Recycled 9ct gold, sapphires	220–12,970	Coloured gemstones
Saint Valentine	Sydney	Sterling silver, gold finishes	89–365	Sensitive skin, daily wear

How to choose a women’s necklace that lasts: a quick buyer’s guide?

1. Know your metal

Metal	What it actually is	How long it lasts	Typical stamp
Solid gold	Gold alloyed with other metals all the way through	A lifetime	375 (9ct), 585 (14ct), 750 (18ct)
Gold-filled	A thick gold layer bonded to brass, usually about 5% gold by weight	Years with care	GF, 1/20 14K
Gold vermeil	Gold plated over solid 925 sterling silver	1–3 years, and can be replated	925
925 sterling silver	92.5% pure silver	A lifetime, though it tarnishes	925, STER
Gold-plated brass or steel	A thin gold layer over base metal	Months to a year	Often none

2. Pick the right length

Style	Length	Where it sits	Good for
Choker	35–40 cm	Base of the neck	Open necklines, layering on top
Princess	42–45 cm	Just below the collarbone	Everyday pendants, the safe gift choice
Matinee	50–60 cm	Upper chest	Work shirts and higher necklines
Opera	70–90 cm	Mid-chest	Pearls, wearing doubled
Rope	100 cm+	Below the bust	Wrapping and statement looks

3. Choose the chain

• Cable or trace chain: the classic everyday chain, and the strongest choice for pendants.
• Box chain: smooth and strong. It’s good for heavier pendants and lockets.
• Figaro and curb chains: bolder links that look great on their own.
• Paperclip chain: elongated links that suit the modern layered look.
• Rope and snake chains: glossy and elegant, but harder to repair if they kink.

4. Sensitive skin?

Nickel is the most common cause of jewellery rashes. Look for nickel-free sterling silver, solid gold, or vermeil over sterling silver, and skip cheap plated base metals.

5. Caring for necklaces in the Australian climate

Salt water, chlorine, sunscreen and humidity are tough on jewellery, which is a very Australian problem.

• Take your necklace off before swimming at the beach or in a pool.
• Put on sunscreen, perfume and fake tan first, and your necklace last.
• Store silver in an airtight zip bag with an anti-tarnish strip, especially in humid places like Brisbane, Darwin or Cairns.
• Clean silver with a polishing cloth, not toothpaste, which scratches.
• For vermeil and plated pieces, wipe gently with a soft dry cloth and never use silver dip.

“Made in Australia” vs “Designed in Australia”: how to tell

Plenty of shoppers assume an Australian brand means an Australian-made necklace. Often it doesn’t, and that’s fine, as long as the brand is honest about it. Under Australian Consumer Law, a “Made in Australia” claim generally means the product was substantially transformed here. Designing it in Sydney and having it cast overseas doesn’t count. “Designed in Australia” is the honest label for that.

Five quick ways to check:

1. Read the product page and the FAQs, not just the homepage. Honest brands say where pieces are made.
2. Look for the green-and-gold Australian Made logo. It’s licensed and has to meet set criteria.
3. Check for a physical studio or workshop. Places like Castlemaine, Surry Hills, Collingwood or Hobart are good signs. A street address beats “based in Australia”.
4. Ask the brand directly. A maker who handcrafts locally will happily tell you about their bench, their caster and their chain supplier.
5. Be wary of vague wording such as “Australian jewellery brand” or “Australia’s leading manufacturer” with no address. Check the contact page. Some overseas sites rank for Australian searches while operating entirely from abroad.

For retailers and brands: how to source women’s necklaces in Australia

If you run a boutique, an online store or your own label, “necklace manufacturer” means something else entirely. You need a partner who can make your designs consistently, at a price that leaves you a margin.

Australian or overseas manufacturing?

	Australian trade manufacturer (e.g. Palloys)	Overseas manufacturing partner
Cost per piece	Higher	Lower, especially for silver and gemstone work
Turnaround and repairs	Fast and local	Longer shipping, so plan for it
“Made in Australia” claim	Yes, if made here	No. Use “designed in Australia”
Volume	Suits small runs and fine gold	Suits growing collections and repeat volume
Gemstone range	Sourced in	Often cut and matched in-house

Many Australian labels use both: local manufacturing for fine gold and bespoke work, and an overseas partner for sterling silver and gemstone ranges.

Questions to ask any necklace manufacturer

• What’s your minimum order quantity, and can I place a small test order first?
• What silver purity do you use, and will every piece be stamped 925?
• For plated or vermeil pieces, what is the plating thickness in microns, and do you test it, for example with XRF?
• Are your metals recycled or from verified refiners? Are you a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)?
• Are pieces nickel-free?
• What are your lead times for samples and for production, and who is my contact during production?
• Can you show production samples mid-run, not just the first sample?

Valentine Silver International: a manufacturing partner for Australian necklace brands

We’ll be upfront, because that’s the whole point of this guide. Valentine Silver International (VSI) is not an Australian-made brand. We’re a jewellery manufacturer based in Jaipur, India, and we make silver and gemstone jewellery for brands and retailers around the world, including in Australia.

What that means for an Australian label:

• Scale: a 70,000 sq ft facility in Jaipur’s Sitapura SEZ, with more than 750 skilled artisans and a capacity of about 100,000 pieces a month.
• Gemstones in-house: more than 150 natural gemstones, sourced and precision-cut in-house. That makes colour-matching pendants across a collection much easier.
• Design support: a design bank of more than 70,000 designs, plus OEM (your designs), ODM (our designs, your brand) and fully custom development.
• Heritage and recognition: the Valentine Group’s roots in gemstone trading go back to the 1920s. VSI received the JWA Sustainability Award in 2025 for leadership in sustainability.
• Responsible sourcing: published human rights, supply chain and anti-money-laundering policies aligned with the Responsible Jewellery Council’s Code of Practices, plus an annual RJC report.

If you’re building a range of sterling silver gemstone necklaces for the Australian market, book a consultation with Valentine Silver International and we’ll talk through your designs, quantities and timelines.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the main jewellery manufacturers in Australia?

Palloys is the biggest name in trade manufacturing. It was founded in 1951 and makes custom jewellery, chains and findings for jewellers nationwide. On the designer-maker side, studios such as Argent Silversmith, Black Finch and Natasha Schweitzer handcraft their pieces in Australia.

What is a popular necklace brand for women in Australia?

By Charlotte’s Lotus locket is one of the most recognisable. Sarah & Sebastian, Kirstin Ash and Francesca are also hugely popular for everyday and personalised necklaces.

What are the most affordable Australian necklace brands?

Saint Valentine, Najo, Kirstin Ash and Reliquia all have necklaces well under $250. By Charlotte and Argent Silversmith also have entry pieces under $100.

Is sterling silver or gold vermeil better for everyday wear?

Sterling silver lasts a lifetime and just needs polishing. Vermeil gives you a gold look over the same silver base, but the gold layer slowly wears and may need replating every few years.

Why does my necklace turn my neck green?

That’s a reaction between your skin and copper in brass or other base metals, usually under thin plating. Switching to sterling silver, solid gold or quality vermeil normally fixes it.

Can I get a necklace custom-made in Australia?

Yes. Many makers on this list take bespoke commissions, including Argent Silversmith, Black Finch and Sarah & Sebastian. For trade and brand production, Palloys accepts CAD files and design briefs.

What necklace length is best for a gift?

A 45 cm chain, ideally with a 5 cm extender. It sits just below the collarbone and suits most necklines.

Are overseas-made necklaces lower quality?

Not necessarily. Quality comes down to the materials, the workshop’s quality control and how honest the brand is, not just the country. Look for 925 stamping, stated plating thickness and responsible-sourcing commitments wherever a piece is made.