Jeweller Sophie Divett: An artist’s evolution

April 2, 2025April 3, 2025 by Metropol No Comments

Stepping out as a Christchurch entrepreneur and artist, Sophie Divett’s journey into jewellery wasn’t planned – it evolved. Metropol writer Hannah Brown finds what started as a side hustle to fine arts studies became a full-time business, Sophie’s collections now synonymous with timeless elegance and conscientious design.

Looking back, Sophie’s path into jewellery was less of a deliberate decision and more of a natural progression of artistic interests. “I was making little sculptures out of wire, clay, and organic materials, and my lecturer suggested in my final critique that jewellery may be worth exploring because the things I was making were jewellery-like,” she recalls.

That suggestion stuck with Sophie. Working in retail, a jewellery business was an opportunity to bring in extra money while keeping her creative energy alive. Soon enough, Sophie’s jewellery business grew in fits and starts, marked by a series of pivotal moments. “Every year or two, there’s been a moment where I’ve had to decide if I want to take things ‘to the next level’ or not.” One of those moments was deciding to return to full-time study, this time focusing solely on jewellery. “It was a big choice, considering I already had one degree’s worth of student debt and wasn’t sure how the jewellery thing would work out.”

Sophie’s passion grew with her ambition. “Then came the decision to move my workshop out of home and into commercial premises, and then to move into larger premises as the
business grew.”

Perhaps one of the biggest choices was expanding the business by bringing others on board. “When you’ve spent so long building something yourself, it can be hard to relinquish control, but it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.” Sophie built her team, which she now labels the heart of the business. “I have three wonderful women working with me currently.”

Working solo to then growing her team has not been without its bumps in the road. For Sophie, 2020 was a particularly tough year. After suffering a concussion and spending months recovering, she realised the business couldn’t keep running solely on her energy.

“It was a wake-up call for me,” she says. “I learned that there are consequences to taking on too much and that if I wanted the business to keep growing, I’d need some help.” Expanding was more fruitful than expected – it allowed Sophie the opportunity to pursue creating art without sacrificing the business’ progress.

Sophie’s advice for anyone preparing to build a business? Put the wheels in motion. “Just start. It’s so easy to put things off until the ‘right time’, but there is no right time. If you start today, even if you only do a little bit every day, it’ll add up. You’ll be making progress, no matter how big or small.”

She stresses the importance of maintaining integrity in business. “It’s okay to say ‘no’ sometimes, which can be hard when you’re needing the bills to be paid. In the long term, maintaining your integrity is going to benefit you much more. For me, I have a particular style, and I’m quite particular about making sure everything I make is in line with that, because that’s what people come to me for.”

As Sophie looks to the future, what she has built is a testament to the power of following your passion and trusting the process. Remaining true to her values and artistic freedom, she continues to shape a brand that stands for more than just beautiful jewellery.

One with nature
Nature has always been Sophie’s muse. “I love the outdoors and natural forms; they inspire my work often,” she explains. “My process varies a lot, sometimes it’s casting from real plant clippings or using photography as a reference. My most recent collection, Shorelines, was inspired by artefacts I saw at the Vienna Natural History Museum earlier in the year and was made by taking imprints from the textures of seashells.”

Sophie’s pieces always feature a distinctive, organic carved texture – a signature of her brand. “I like to make pieces using the traditional technique of lost-wax casting, which means hand-carving the models in wax, which are then cast into metal. Computer-aided design is getting a lot more commonly used these days, but I love the textures and tactile quality that can be achieved through working with wax.”

Not only are her designs inspired by nature, but her business is guided by the same values. “I am always looking for ways to improve our practices in terms of ethics and sustainability,” she explains. “It’s important to me that I can feel good about the pieces I make, especially as they’re so meaningful to those who receive them.”

Love crafted locally
Engagement rings and the love stories they represent hold a special place in Sophie’s work. “Jewellery is made to mark so many moments, and some are deeply personal. Sometimes we’ve needed to keep secrets through the process, and to have that kind of trust from clients is special. “I make lots of engagement and wedding rings, but it never gets old. It’s always such a lovely thing when couples choose one of my pieces.” Sophie’s passion is clear when she describes the moment a customer picks up their new ring. “Whether it’s chosen from the cabinet or a custom-made piece, it’s so lovely. The whole team is always excited to see a ring go to its ‘forever home’.” sophiedivettjewellery.co.nz