Polychroma

Melanie Katsalidis
October 21 - November 2, 2024

The Polychroma collection offers a nuanced exploration of contemporary Australian opal jewellery, featuring an unrivalled collection of standalone earrings, rings, and pendants. Crafted in Melbourne by jewellery designer Melanie Katsalidis, this new body of work explores the intersection of nature, artistry, and modern aesthetics, evocatively weaving the wearer into its remarkable narrative.

More than seven years in the making, the Polychroma collection has been painstakingly designed and curated, with each piece brought to life through a slow and considered process. Following two unforgettable road trips to the legendary opal mining town of Lightning Ridge (in 2018 and 2024) - both leaving a deep impression on Melanie - she was inspired to imbue these exquisite pieces with a spirit of exploration, connection, and reverence for the opals’ raw, natural beauty.

Over the course of 15 years working with Australian opals, Melanie has cultivated a profound relationship with this unique gemstone, sourcing directly from local miners and cutters in Lightning Ridge (Queensland), and Mintabie and Coober Pedy (South Australia). Formed over many millennia, opals date back to Australia’s Cretaceous Period some 65 to 145 million years ago, when vast parts of central Australia were submerged beneath an ancient inland sea. This extraordinary geological narrative profoundly inspires Melanie's work.

Polychroma seamlessly marries the intrinsic beauty of opals with meticulous craftsmanship, introducing a series of pieces designed for standalone elegance. The opals, with their mesmerising play of colour, are sensitively framed within contemporary designs that reflect both the mystique of the Australian outback and the sophistication of modern Australian jewellery. Melanie’s approach is one of dedication and artistry, creating Future Classic designs that are as much about the journey of their creation as they are about their final, dazzling form.

Polychroma is part of the Melbourne Fashion Week Festival, 2024.