The Inspired Collective

‘The Inspired Collective’ is a group of highly skilled design lead jewellers.  Our objective is to bring together a group of people that share our design philosophy in an environment that fosters unconstrained fresh ideas. Whether the final design comes from one jeweller or a collaboration of jewellers, as long as it’s different, fresh, unique, sensuous, striking, exquisite, beautiful, timeless.......we’re happy.

Qualified Jewellers

All our jewellers are fully qualified and have a vast depth of experience. They have a combined average experience in jewellery of 30 years. Yes that’s correct 30 years on average! All of our jewellers undertake an apprenticeship to ensure that they get the highly specialised skills required to craft fine jewellery.  As part of their apprenticeship each jeweller has had to undertake a commitment of time and training under the experienced eye of a master craftsman.

  • Ian Douglas

    Ian Douglas has spent his life appreciating, designing and building beautiful pieces of jewellery.  Ian has the innate ability to analyse a client’s desires and create for them designs which both fulfil and enhance their dream jewellery. He has built up an enviable reputation in New Zealand for unique pieces.

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  • Gary Chapman

    With over 55 years experience as a craftsman, Gary is the “Godfather” of The Village Goldsmith. Philosopher, drummer, singer and talker, Gary delivers his pearls of wisdom daily along with the odd expletive that made him famous to our Kelburn clients.

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  • Nigel Wong

    Apprenticed in the mid 70’s, Nigel has extensive experience in crafting jewellery in Wellington. Nigel was a well deserved Winner in the National Jewellery Design Awards in 2010. Windsurfing, mountain biking and foremost his family, are Nigel’s passions. Also a keen modeller, his toy boats and helicopters are also the work of an artist, although we suspect his helicopter fascination hides a desire to actually fly a real one.

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  • Karl Williams

    Wellington born, Karl is a highly talented individual. An artist and a modeller, Karl uses his hands across a broad range of media. Planes are his passion, and if he could find the deposit we’re sure he’d put it down on the first spare Spitfire available. Finalist in the NZ Jewellery Design Awards 2010. Winner of the Gemological Institute of America’s 2010 George A. Schuetz Design Contest.

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  • Chris Persen

    Chris has been a mountaineer, a ski guide and a keen fly fisher. Somehow he managed to fit a jewellery career amongst this working for some great names here in New Zealand and overseas. With only one year involvement in The Village Goldsmith, he made the finals of the National Jewellery Design Awards in 2009 and continues to go from strength to strength, able to finally express his true talents.

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  • Nick Hensman

    Just 20 years old, Nick gave up a promising music career to focus on jewellery. Fortunate for The Village Goldsmith, as in his first year Nick scooped the National Jewellery Design awards in 2009. Still drumming in his spare time, Nick fulfils his musical goals and still manages to turn up for work on time (well most days).

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  • Dan Palmer

    Dan Palmer is a Wellington trained jeweller with a vast range of skills. Jewellery runs in the blood, with his father being a craftsman fitter and turner and his grandfather was also a manufacturing jeweller.  Supremely talented with his hands, Dan has crafted furniture, the finest jewellery, and always to the most exquisite and exacting levels. 

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About

The Inspired Collection