In Her Own Line: Anna Marrone on Bespoke Jewellery and the Stories Held Within

Bespoke jewellery asks the maker to listen closely. For Melbourne jeweller Anna Marrone, this listening becomes a drawing practice, a design language and eventually a piece that carries a client’s sentiment with clarity and care.

In recent months, Anna has created a remarkable series of bespoke pieces for Pieces of Eight clients. Each commission begins in her notebook, where she interprets a brief through her distinct, hand drawn line before it evolves into engraving and metal. In this conversation, Anna shares how she approaches these projects, how she balances a client’s story with her own artistic voice and what she hopes people feel when they wear a piece created especially for them.

PO8: Your recent bespoke commissions through Pieces of Eight have been incredibly beautiful and varied. How do you usually approach a bespoke project, and what do you enjoy most about this process?

AM: I usually begin a bespoke project with research on the brief, before sketching up some initial ideas. I’ll then refine the ideas that I feel are working best. The sketch phase is definitely one of my favourite parts of the process.

PO8: When working with a client, how do you translate their story or sentiment into a design that still feels distinctly “you”?

AM: I take the sentiment of the client’s brief and sketch ideas in my trusty notebook. I basically draw everything at 1:1 scale, this way I feel like my personal illustration and typographic style will directly translate in the engraving. 

PO8: Do you find that your materials or gemstones often lead the design,  or does the concept come first? 

AM: It really depends whether it’s an engraving focused or gemstone focused design. The bespoke pieces that I make often revolve around engraving as that’s my specialty. I do love building around a beautiful gemstone, though. The engraving then has more of a supporting role.

PO8: What do you hope your clients feel when they wear a piece you’ve created especially for them?

AM: I hope they feel all the excitement and preciousness of something that has been made by hand just for them. I put a lot of myself into everything I make and each piece takes time, effort and care, so I really hope they feel special wearing it. 

Anna Marrone’s bespoke work reveals the power of jewellery to hold meaning in a way that feels both personal and enduring. Her engraved lines, careful drawing and thoughtful design process bring intimacy to every commission. We invite you to explore Anna’s collection at Pieces of Eight, and if you are drawn to the idea of a custom piece, to begin a conversation with us about creating something that reflects your own story.