MEET THE MAKER
Hi, and welcome,
I'm Suzi Rubi, the one woman creative energy behind Precious Rubi which is based in Melbourne, Australia.
I am a mostly self-taught Metalsmith and Lapidary (the latter of which is a gemstone cutter).
As a child, growing up in rural Northern Tasmania, I would spend endless hours exploring the local riverbanks, looking for fossils. It wasn't until I was much older, after I had pursued a music career in the rock industry in Sydney, that I re-discovered my love for rocks which led me to join a local lapidary club in 2015. It was instant love. The process of making beautiful gemstone cabochons from rough, raw rocks was absolutely inspiring. The obsession grew quickly, and it wasn't long before my friends and family dubbed me the 'crazy rock chic'. Soon after, I wanted to do something more with the gorgeous gemstones I was cutting, so I took a few metalsmithing classes to get me started on my jewellery making journey, and I haven't looked back since.
With a surname like Rubi, ending up in this industry is kind of befitting and fun, don't you think!
METALSMITH
Forging metal with fire is so much fun. Everything about creating a piece of jewellery with my own two hands is incredibly satisfying. I sometimes still have to pinch myself because I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be doing than this. I feel so grateful and blessed.
LAPIDARY + ROCKHOUND
What can I say! I love getting my hands dirty. Whether it's out in the bush digging for gemstones, where I'm always the last to leave, or in my studio carving them up at my cabbing machine.
The entire process is so enjoyable.
Seeing a rough rock transformed into a beautiful gemstone, which can then be set into a piece of jewellery is about as gratifying as it gets.
The studio really is my happy place.
