The jewellery designer and her world of colour in precious gems

Margot McKinney is a fourth-generation Australian jewellery designer renowned for creating pieces of art that command attention with their abundance of colours, each inspired by the vivid natural beauty of wild Australian landscapes.

In Margot’s world, colour becomes the principal language she uses to express her exuberant style and to give life to her designs and their evocations of the wonders of Nature. From her flagship Green Door store in Brisbane – which is finished in a deep green that suggests the lushness of new growth in the depths of the rainforest – to her favourite travel destinations on tropical islands surrounded by azure waters and coral reefs teeming with life, it is the richness and vivacity that springs forth from colour that unites Margot’s personal aesthetic and the design ethos of her art. 

While Australian boulder opals and South Sea pearls often form the centrepieces of her works, Margot is equally adept at harnessing the colour and vibrancy in precious gems to be the stars in her art. What sets her apart are not only her artistic vision but also her unyielding dedication to her craft. With a patience that knows no bounds, Margot often spends a decade curating the perfect collection of companion gems for a single bespoke piece. 

Margot Pavé

Paul-Otto Caesar, a German gem-cutter at Gustav Caesar with whom Margot has worked for decades, developed a new term for Margot’s use of the coloured stones surrounding and enhancing a central stone. Pavé describes the way diamonds (usually small) are closely packed, in order to complement the beauty in the main stone. Paul-Otto coined “Margot Pavé” to refer to her unique use of stones of significant size and colour to surround a magnificent centre stone. 

Margot’s Bow

Bows are wonderfully playful and joyous symbols. They suggest the giving and receiving of gifts, and occasions of celebration and togetherness. In ancient Celtic times they were used to represent the unbreakable interconnectedness of family and clan, as well as the concept of eternity. In Margot’s hands they are all these things and more – versatile jewels that stun with their intricate arrangements of diamonds, sapphires and other gems. They may be worn as pendants, paired with colliers, or added as adornments to highlight the stunning presence of South Sea pearls. In all forms, they make us smile and remind us of life’s joyful moments. 

Margot’s World of Colour

The jewellery of Margot McKinney sets itself apart from the work of other designers, and has done so since her very first pieces. Larry Pelzel, Vice President at Neiman Marcus immediately noticed the scale of her pieces, which was larger than anything else the luxury store carried at the time – yet was highly wearable, comfortable and practical: 

‘Margot’s jewellery, her designs and use of colour is something like we had never seen.’

Her work is designed to be worn and enjoyed at any time of the night or day, but at the same time to make a statement about the wearer and to inspire in them a wonderful sense of confidence. It transcends the dictates of passing fashion and is destined to be passed from generation to generation, like any highly-collectible piece of original art.

Margot’s flagship store is located in Brisbane, Australia, while her jewellery also adorns the prestigious establishments of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in the United States.