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— by Cullen Jewellery — Reading time 4 minutes

The Cullen Difference: The Hands Behind Our Craft

Join us as we shine a light on the craftsmanship, personalisation and care that sets Cullen apart. This is a moment to meet the makers – the talented in-house team of Expert Jewellers, Polishers, Gem Setters and Quality Control Specialists based in our Melbourne workshop. You’ll hear their stories: how they each play a part in bringing your ring to life, where their passion for the craft began, and what inspires their pursuit of perfection. It’s a chance to celebrate the artistry, precision and quiet dedication poured into every piece – and to recognise the people who help make your jewellery truly meaningful.

Christian, Gem Setter

For Christian, setting a gemstone is more than just the meticulously oriented, perfectly symmetrical placement. It goes beyond the claws, hammer-set under magnification to eliminate gaps and prevent snagging. Beyond the cutting-edge technology he works with every day. Yes, he monitors advancements in jewellery craftsmanship and integrates improvements to maintain Cullen Jewellery’s reputation for excellence. But beyond these fundamentals, there’s a deeper meaning behind why Christian does what he does.

“I remember one of the first engagement rings I ever worked on,” begins Christian. “I was at the bench, setting the stone, and I suddenly felt this weight – not pressure, but significance. I realised this wasn’t just metal and gemstone. Someone had poured their heart into choosing it. This ring was going to be part of a question they’d probably rehearsed a hundred times. It would sit on someone’s hand throughout every chapter of their life.”
“I hope that one day, someone will look at a ring I’ve made and say, I remember who made this for me. We had this conversation. We shared this story.’ That’s what matters. Because in the end, it’s never just a ring.”

Explore Christian's story and hear more about his passion, process and craft.

Nilesh, Polisher

Jewellery is, quite literally, in Nilesh’s blood. His father and uncle were both jewellers, his uncle being a master jeweller in France. As a polisher based in our Melbourne workshop, Nilesh not only ensures that every surface of a Cullen Jewellery ring – including the areas beneath the diamond – undergoes thorough polishing to achieve uniform quality and brilliance. He also demonstrates a high level of patience, as each ring’s surface is gradually refined and enhanced to maintain the integrity of the design while achieving brilliance. This controlled polishing technique is as important as it is unique.

“I’m quite patient and I take my time. Because of the nature of my work, I’ve probably become a bit of a perfectionist,” explains Nilesh. “That obsession drives everything I do, and patience is a big part of it. I think my experience in jewellery really reflects in how I live and approach things,” he adds. “Cullen Jewellery needs to be as good as anyone else – or better. And that’s where I come in.”
“Working with my hands, getting them dirty with polishing, and making jewellery – that’s what makes my heart beat.”

Discover Nilesh’s journey and delve deeper into his passion, process and artistry.

Farin, Quality Control Specialist

As a Cullen Jewellery Quality Control Specialist, Farin lives and breathes rigorous quality control at every critical stage of production – from casting to final packaging. A day in her life in our Melbourne workshop involves conducting detailed inspections using advanced equipment, including 50x magnification microscopes, at multiple checkpoints. From molten metal to final inspection, each Cullen Jewellery ring undergoes a careful, multi-stage process to ensure flawless craftsmanship and lasting brilliance. Farin takes pride in prong security, symmetry, metal finishing, and stone alignment – she’s there every step of the way.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate details of jewellery. When I started my journey in sales, I realised how much satisfaction I got from making sure every detail was perfect,” explains Farin.
“It gives me a deep sense of satisfaction to know I've played a part in creating something that will hold so much sentimental value for someone, and I'm making sure the symbol of love is flawless.”

Learn about Farin and uncover her dedication, her QC methods and precision.

The Cullen Difference doesn’t end here.

We stay ahead by listening to our clients and tracking emerging trends – refining each design to be more versatile, more personal. Every ring starts with a clear concept, brought to life through detailed modelling, prototypes and rigorous testing. Customisation is built into our process. Clients can choose their preferred diamond, precious metal, and setting – all without compromising the original design. It’s this balance of innovation and craftsmanship that makes our jewellery both timeless and adaptable. And when it comes to care? Our precision repairs and resizing use advanced laser welding to preserve the ring’s strength, finish, and detail – restoring each piece to its original brilliance, right down to the smallest join.

Discover Our Crafting Process