Naveya & Sloane: Masters of Modern Heirlooms

"Bespoke is where Naveya & Sloane began and it’s still the soul of who we are,” says Rachel Sloane, reflecting on the origins of the house she co-founded and of which she is now Creative Director. “In the early days, it was just me, a sketchpad, and couples looking for something that felt entirely theirs.”

What began with a simple sketch book has since flourished into one of New Zealand’s most sought-after names in jewellery, with Naveya & Sloane now renowned as a brand in which intimacy and artistry are entwined. “As we’ve grown, our bespoke offering has evolved into a true design atelier,” Sloane explains. “A space where ideas are sculpted into heirlooms, crafting tiny works of art that last far beyond the day they’re made.”

At its heart, she insists, he brand's bespoke offering is about more than aesthetics. “Over time, this practice has shaped our DNA. It’s why every collection, even those centred on our Signature pieces, carries that touch of sentiment and storytelling." She pauses, "our brand is about connection — the quiet luxury of having something that feels deeply personal.”

For those who choose Naveya & Sloane for a custom piece, the process always begins with conversation. “It starts with a chat, over coffee or champagne,” Sloane says. “This is where the magic begins — listening for the little details that will later be woven into the design.”

From there, sketches emerge, ideas become form, and artisans step in with what she calls “an obsessive eye for detail.” The journey usually culminates in a moment of silence. “The moment we present the final piece, the whole room goes quiet,” she reflects. “It’s not just a jewel but a story made tangible.”

When asked where her inspiration comes from, her answer is expansive. “It comes from everywhere," she explains, "art, architecture, vintage treasures and those fleeting moments that make life beautiful. But with bespoke, it’s never just my vision. It’s a dance between the client’s story and my instinct as a designer.”

Some clients arrive with precise specifications, others with fragments — both, Sloane tells me, are equally valid. “Some clients come with a crystal-clear idea, others only with a couple of words. My role is to translate those abstractions into a piece that feels effortless, like it was always meant to exist. The final result is always co-authored: part them, part Naveya & Sloane.”

That collaboration is what she believes distinguishes the brand. “With our Signature Collection, you fall in love with the design and what’s already been created. With bespoke, you fall in love with the artistry and the experience — the idea of knowing no one else will ever have this exact piece. It’s the ultimate act of self-expression.”

Balancing tradition and innovation is another defining tension. “Jewellery is steeped in history," she tells me, "and I love honouring those traditions — the old-world techniques, the heirloom-worthy craftsmanship. But innovation is our driving force. It might be an unexpected silhouette, a hidden engraving only they know about, or a bold stone pairing no one’s seen before.”

While heirlooms endure, trends still leave their mark, with Sloane explaining the various motifs that her clients are requesting at the moment. “I’m seeing cushion cuts, emerald cuts, unique chunky gold engagement rings, vintage-inspired pieces, coloured gemstones. And brooches are back!”

But for Sloane, what lingers most are the stories. “It’s always the ones tied to sentimental narratives,” she admits. “A ring designed around a loved one’s passing, a necklace with secret engravings only the family would ever know about. Those commissions are the most rewarding because they’re so much more than a design — there is a beautiful spirit to them.”

Her advice to anyone considering commissioning a piece is simple: “Come with an open mind and a willingness to explore. You don’t need to have it all figured out — that’s what we’re here for. Bring your stories, your quirks, your wild ideas. Together, we’ll shape them into something extraordinary.”

Looking ahead, Sloane’s curiosity remains insatiable. “I’d love to push further into unexpected material pairings, experiment with recycled and experimental metals in a way that still feels luxurious. I’m also really excited by the idea of cross-disciplinary collaborations. Working with artists from outside the jewellery world always unlocks something fresh.”

And her conviction is clear, bespoke is the future. “I think bespoke will only become more important in the wider wedding and fashion space. People are craving pieces that hold meaning. The future feels like it’s about self-expression with depth, not surface-level perfection.”

And perhaps that is why Naveya & Sloane’s bespoke offering feels so vital: because it exists not only as adornment, but as a catalogue — an ode to the most significant moments of someone’s past. “These pieces become archives of love, memory, and legacy,” says Sloane. “They’re not just worn, they’re lived with, passed down, whispered about at family dinners generations from now.”