Tiffany & Tony’s Bespoke Calirae Ring

When Tiffany and Tony first encountered Kim Victoria’s Calirae Ring, they were drawn to its otherworldly presence, a piece that feels both ancient and celestial, shaped by Kim’s distinctive blend of mythology, craft and gemstone alchemy. Wanting a version that reflected their own story, they embarked on a bespoke journey with Kim through Pieces of Eight Gallery, reimagining the design with personal detail and intention.

In this interview, Tiffany and Tony share what inspired their custom commission and what the finished ring now means to them, while Kim offers insight into her creative process and the experience of transforming one of her signature designs into a one-of-a-kind heirloom.

Tony & Tiffany

PO8: Congratulations on your engagement! Tell us about your journey to finding the perfect engagement ring. How did you approach this milestone moment?

Tiffany: When Tony and I discussed getting engaged, I knew I wanted two things — for the proposal to be a surprise, and for the ring to feel like 'me'. We decided to find a ring first, and were looking for something organic and unique. That's when we stumbled across Pieces of Eight Gallery on Instagram. We thought making a trip to Melbourne from Perth would be worth it for the perfect ring, so we did it!

Tony: We tried on many rings from the gallery and when Tiffany put on the Calirae ring, her eyes lit up and Hannah and I knew it was the one. 

PO8: When you first saw Kim’s original design, did you have a clear idea of how you wanted your custom version to be different (e.g. stones, metal, size, personal meaning)? What changes did you request, and why?

Tiffany: From the get go I was really set on something 'earthy', that's why we decided to go down the custom route and incorporate browns into the design. After discussing the options with Hannah and going back and forth for a while, I realised that I loved it as it already was. I'm so glad we decided to stick as close to the original ring as possible because it is perfect!

PO8: When you first saw the finished ring, how did it feel to see your vision turned into reality?

Tiffany: I saw it for the first time when Tony proposed to me. I just remember thinking that it was beautiful and exactly what I had dreamed of.

Tony: When I first saw the ring after its delivery to Perth, my first thought was, 'it is beautiful, I can't wait to see Tiffany's reaction.' My second thought was, 'crap, where can I hide this?!'

Tiffany: He did a really good job because I had no clue that the ring was already in the house! 

PO8: How has this ring changed the way you think about jewellery, or the kind of pieces you look for in future commissions?

Tiffany: This ring is by far the most beautiful and precious piece of jewellery I have ever owned. I now know that jewellery can be customised to be unique to you. I'm really excited to own more gorgeous, handmade jewellery in the future. I'm also excited to see what Kim will create in the future and perhaps add something else to my collection! Thanks so much to Kim and Hannah for a wonderful experience. It has really made our whole engagement journey extra special.

Kim Victoria

PO8: The Calirae Ring was created for ‘Substratum’, our June 2025 exhibition,  celebrating Australian Gemstones. Can you tell us about the creation of this stunning piece?

KV: Calirae was informed by the textures I associate with Australian landscapes - bark, rock, and leaf. The ring centres on a locally cut green sapphire, with the surrounding form built up through layered, tactile surfaces. I developed the original piece through drawing, collage and my own CAD modelling, working through multiple iterations before refining the final form by hand.

PO8: What were the design or technical challenges (if any), in customising the Calirae Ring for Tony & Tiffany? How did you approach making the piece uniquely suited to them?

KV: The bespoke version was developed differently from the exhibition piece. I worked directly in wax, adjusting scale, curvature and stone placement, to suit Tiffany’s hand, and to refine how the ring sat and was worn. Alongside this, I shared loose digital visual studies for Hannah to communicate the overall balance and composition.

PO8: Tell us about sourcing the gemstones for Tiffany’s ring. What do you look for when selecting them?

KV: I try wherever possible to source gemstones through Australian suppliers and local cutters. When selecting stones, I look for depth of colour, subtle variation, and a harmonious palette, considering how the stones relate to each other and to the piece as a whole.

PO8: Looking at the finished piece now, what about it brings you the most satisfaction, as an artist and maker, when you see it in the clients’ hands?

KV: Seeing the ring worn comfortably and confidently. Knowing it has moved from an exhibition context into daily life for Tony and Tiffany brings me real joy. Projects like this are a reminder of why I love working between exhibition and bespoke pieces.

PO8: More broadly, when you work on bespoke commissions versus ready-made collections, how does your mindset or creative approach shift?

KV: Collection work allows for open-ended exploration of form and material because I am the only client :-). Bespoke work is more focused, shaped by a specific person and context. Moving between the two keeps my practice balanced, evolving, and exciting.

The bespoke Calirae Ring now exists as a true collaboration between artist and clients, shaped by Kim Victoria’s imaginative craftsmanship and by Tiffany and Tony’s shared story. It is a reminder of what bespoke jewellery can become: intimate, symbolic and deeply personal.

We invite you to book a complimentary consultation with our team, to explore the possibilities of creating your own custom heirloom, at Pieces of Eight Gallery, 28 Russell Place, Melbourne.

Tony & Tiffany's images captured by Rosie Hastie