As the festive engagement season winds down, many Australian couples are using the fresh start of the New Year to thoughtfully select a ring that perfectly symbolises their partnership. For those seeking a meaningful, design-led, and environmentally conscious option, one homegrown brand stands out: Kate & Kole.
From Newcastle Side Project to Beloved Australian Brand
Founded in 2015 by close friends Sara Spence and Madalynne Clifton as a creative side project from their homes in Newcastle, NSW, Kate & Kole has blossomed into a fully-fledged Australian jewellery label. The brand's name is a clever fusion of the founders' middle names, Madalynne Kate and Sara Nicole. What began as an idea shared on Instagram is now a destination for couples looking for sustainable fine jewellery, with a particular focus on custom engagement rings crafted from recycled metals and lab-grown diamonds.
Today, the brand's collection has expanded far beyond its origins. While engagement rings remain a cornerstone, Kate & Kole now plays home to countless other exquisite pieces, including personalised birthstone bracelets and delicate tiny letter necklaces, all maintaining the same ethos of thoughtful design and responsible sourcing.
Standout Pieces for Every Story
When it comes to engagement rings, Kate & Kole offers an array of stunning styles that blend tradition with modern sensibility. A notable highlight is the Clara Oval Solitaire Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring, priced at $6,620. This timeless piece features an elegant oval-cut lab-grown diamond held securely in a simple four-talon claw setting.
For those desiring a uniquely romantic design, the Lea Pear & Marquise Toi et Moi Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring ($8,350) offers a beautiful alternative. The 'Toi et Moi' (meaning 'you & me') style, with its two distinct stones, is a deeply sentimental choice for couples wanting a ring that stands apart from the conventional.
The brand's appeal extends well beyond engagements. Shoppers can adorn themselves with a Tiny Letter Necklace for $220 or Tiny Pearl Hoops for $120. A consistent crowd-pleaser is the Tiny Birthstone Bracelet, starting from $190, which can be fully personalised by selecting the metal, length, charm, and stone. One enamoured customer shared online, "I’m so obsessed with this bracelet I bought as a gift TWICE. Now to get one for myself."
Another bestseller is the Mini Heart Signet ring (from $290), which can be engraved for an added personal touch. A satisfied buyer praised, "The craftsmanship is second to none — flawless, refined, and timeless with a modern edge." For those planning ahead, the brand is currently featuring a curated Valentine’s Day Edit.
The Sustainable Heart of the Craft
The commitment to sustainability is woven into the very fabric of Kate & Kole. Most pieces begin with recycled gold and silver, a conscious choice that significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional mining while ensuring the jewellery is just as beautiful and durable.
Co-founder Sara's perspective was shaped by a 2014 visit to Potosi in Bolivia. "After being in the mines for around two hours, the fumes and conditions were really challenging," she explains on their website. "It was unfathomable that children as young as 10 were working in these mines." This experience cemented their resolve to work with refiners who specialise in recycled materials, despite it being a more costly option than buying newly mined metals.
Complementing this approach is their use of lab-grown diamonds. These stones are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds but are created in controlled environments. This process minimises the ethical and environmental concerns linked to conventional diamond mining. "When Maddy and I began the business in 2015... they were aligned with our sustainability goals," Sara notes, emphasising the importance of sourcing stones from reputable and certified growers to ensure a measurable, positive environmental impact.
For Australian couples and jewellery lovers seeking pieces that are as ethically crafted as they are breathtaking, Kate & Kole represents a perfect fusion of modern love, conscious design, and homegrown talent.
