An Interview with Laura, Co-owner of Morgan & Co

Welcome to our latest blog featuring an interview with Laura, one of the co-owners of Morgan & Co, a bespoke jewellery design studio nestled on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. From designing engagement rings that tell a love story to crafting meaningful pieces that hold a lifetime of memories, our journey has been shaped by a deep desire to offer clients something truly special. In this interview, Laura shares her inspiration behind Morgan & Co, what sets their jewellery studio apart from others in the industry, and the dedication Laura brings to every detail, from sourcing diamonds to ensuring the perfect client experience.

 

 

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting your jewellery design studio and what keeps you motivated?

"The inspiration behind starting Morgan & Co jewellery design studio was born from  a deep passion for creating meaningful pieces that tell a story for our clients. 

I am passionate about listening to our clients' stories and history and from there  designing unique pieces that resonate on an emotional level. I gain so much pleasure  seeing a concept come to life from sketch to finished piece, each ring  or remodel.

My motivation behind our business really lies in creating lasting symbols of love, commitment, and style. Whether it is an engagement ring, wedding band or a bespoke piece, all fine jewellery fuels my passion."

What sets your jewellery apart from others in the market?

"We understand that creating the perfect engagement ring can be a daunting task and what sets us apart is our Ring Guarantee — if our client designs a ring for their loved one, and for any reason their partner isn’t completely thrilled with the design, we will remake it free of charge using the existing stones. This helps our clients, especially the men, feel confident in their decision, as well as keeping the surprise element to their proposal. We understand that designing an engagement ring is a significant moment, and we want it to be absolutely perfect. No jewellery company I know offers such a unique promise.

Additionally, we offer discreet consultations, in the privacy of our Buderim-based studio. This allows our clients to explore our collection of engagement rings in a comfortable and pressure-free environment. Our goal is to create a supportive and welcoming atmosphere where our clients feel empowered to express their love and commitment through a meaningful and thoughtfully chosen engagement ring."

 

 

What factors do you consider when selecting diamonds for your pieces?

"When sourcing diamonds for our clients we consider several key factors to  ensure the best brilliance and quality. Brace yourself, you're asking me one of my favourite questions and I have a lot to talk about when it comes to diamond sourcing!! 

The first things I look for when choosing the right diamond is the four C's — Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. A diamond’s cut affects its brilliance and overall beauty. Sourcing diamonds with a precise, high-quality cut ensures that the stone will reflect light optimally and sparkle brilliantly in any setting. At Morgan & Co, we only source our clients colourless, or near colourless, diamonds. My aim is always to find  eye-clean stones, meaning no imperfections are visible to the naked eye. Rather than focus on carat weight, I like to take into consideration the mm’s of the stone. The last thing anyone wants is a stone where the weight is located in the bottom of the stone and not on the surface of the stone.

I only source diamonds that come with certification from reputable gemological institutes, such as the GIA and IGI. These certificates guarantee that the diamond’s quality and characteristics have been independently verified, giving our clients peace of mind.

We are  also conscious that our clients prioritise ethically sourced diamonds. We   ensure that the diamonds we select are conflict-free. We also work with suppliers who emphasise sustainability and responsible sourcing practices.

The final thing when purchasing a diamond for a client is their budget. No one wants to talk about money, however, understanding your client’s budget and preferences is key to sourcing the right diamond. Knowing the price range our clients are happy to sit within helps me work to maximise value by balancing the 4 Cs, offering recommendations on where it’s worth investing more and where compromises can be made without sacrificing beauty.

I find that by considering these factors, we can ensure that each diamond we source aligns with your client’s vision, while maintaining ethical standards and delivering top-notch diamonds."

What trends do you see in engagement rings and fine jewellery currently?

"Current trends in engagement rings and fine jewellery reflect a mix of timeless elegance and modern individuality, with clients seeking unique, personalised pieces that tell a story. However, we have seen a move away from the finer bands for engagement rings to more of a thicker, or chunky, band. Our girls are venturing away from the traditional solitaire setting to a more off set, Art Deco inspirations and also lots of east to west settings, in bezel settings and claw settings. 

We have seen a shift away from the larger diamonds to smaller, or natural diamonds. Bigger is sometimes not always better. 

Another trend that has been gaining momentum is choosing coloured stone over diamonds. We have created engagement rings which have featured Australian sapphires, garnets, ruby and emeralds. I love a splash of colour in a forever ring. 

There has also been a lot of buzz around salt and pepper diamonds and lately we have had a client choose a black diamond as their centre stone with white diamonds as the accent stones, divine."

 

 

What advice would you give to someone looking to purchase an engagement ring?

"Purchasing an engagement ring is a big decision, both emotionally and financially. I find that the subject of ‘how much should I spend?’ is very intimidating for many of our clients. The ‘three month’s salary’ rule is outdated, instead it is important to focus on what makes sense for your financial situation. We can create a beautiful ring within your limits without unnecessary stress. 

My next advice I would give is to work with a trusted jewellery designer, like Morgan & Co. We have a lifetime manufacturer guarantee and free ring inspection and cleaning with every ring we design. 

We only make custom rings which allows us to add that personal touch, we are masters of bringing our clients' vision to life. We pride ourselves on taking time to understand what our clients' needs and wants are and delivering that dream with precision.  

Oh, one of the most important questions we ask, apart from ring size is, what type of wedding band will she like on her wedding day? Many times we have unhappy girls come in with rings from other companies looking for a wedding and that will fit under their engagement ring. In many cases there will be only a few wedding bands that will accommodate a low set ring. At Morgan & Co, all of our engagement rings can accommodate whatever our girl's heart desires." 

What challenges have you faced as a female entrepreneur in the jewellery industry?

"To be honest not many. Probably the only challenge was gaining the respect of older men within the jewellery industry. The jewellery business has in the past been predominantly run by men. Usually family businesses passed on from generation to generation. The diamond industry is the same."

Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud of your business or an accomplishment?

"Recently we were commissioned to make a well known Australian artist a very unique ring for his wife. The design took many weeks to create. Many hours of sketching and re-sketching to get all the design elements that the client wanted into the ring. I was so proud of the end result, so proud of our team who spent many hours refining the design and producing a one of a kind masterpiece." 

Can you describe your typical customer and the type of jewellery they are interested in?

"There is no such thing as a typical customer. Our clientele are from all walks of life, with their own history and stories. However, we are predominantly engagement rings, wedding bands, remodels and one of a kind jewellery designers."

How do you define success for yourself and your business?

"Success for myself and the business comes down to one thing, a very happy client. Without fulfilling our clients' needs to the letter we would not have a successful business."

Laura is incredibly proud of the jewellery she creates and the relationships she builds along the way, and she looks forward to continuing to craft meaningful and timeless pieces for many more clients in the years to come. Book your free consultation with Laura.