From Fossicking to Fashion – Kichikoo Design Launched

Around 50 people attended the launch of Kichikoo Design – a range of bespoke jewellery crafted from Tasmanian gemstones – at Hobart Brewing Company on Tuesday, 30 September.

The brand is a family-and-friends venture, led by husband-and-wife duo Mark Ewing and Erica Larke-Ewing. They were “very chuffed” with the turn-out because it was a wet and windy evening.

“We wanted to celebrate the start of Kichikoo and certainly achieved that,” Larke-Ewing told Tasmanian Times.

“We were so pleased at the range of jewellery that was purchased on the evening too [because] it gives us an idea on what to create in the future.”

Larke-Ewing added that she was “very happy” with the Hobart Brewing Company.

“It was the perfect venue and we think that locally crafted beer goes well with locally crafted jewellery!”

Exploring Tasmania for ‘beautiful treasures’

Larke-Ewing told Tasmanian Times that she and her husband are “avid mud larkers, rock hounders and gemstone hunters”.

“[We] work as a team to find our stones,” she said.

“On occasion, we go out with friends who share our passion. It’s long hours in cold conditions, so it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Not many married couples think that an ideal date is six hours in a freezing river with leeches as company!”

But Larke-Ewing added that their focus is very much on ethically sourcing unique and high-quality Tasmanian materials that can be passed down for generations.

“There’s something incredible about pulling a stone out of the ground or river with your hands, then transforming it into a stunning piece of jewellery: it’s magical. And for obvious reasons, we focus on Tasmanian gemstones because that’s where we live and fossick!”

She said that, while she and her husband are not gemmologists or geologists, they know “Tasmania is unique in that you can access such a different range of geological finds in such proximity”.

“We don’t have to travel thousands of kilometres, like you would in other states, to find something special,” she said.

“[Mark and I] love exploring Tasmania for beautiful treasures. Over time, our collection has grown and through chance encounters and many late-night discussions, we committed to sharing our finds with the world in the form of a unique, funky jewellery line. We wanted to showcase Tasmania’s precious stones for everyday wear.”

Mark Ewing fossicking for stones in a river

Stones lead the design

The process of making the Kichikoo jewellery depends on the type of stones they find.

“We look at what we have and spend time sketching designs that would suit each stone we have and then work with our silversmith, who turns the designs into a finished reality,” Larke-Ewing told Tasmanian Times.

The first designs they attempted were the most challenging for them because they did not know what the finished product would really look like, but Larke-Ewing said they were thrilled with the result, which motivated them to carry on.

Standing out

Kichikoo Design stands out from other jewellery made for its one-off design approach.

“Often our jewellery is crafted around the shape of the stone, whether it’s faceted, a cabochon or just a naturally polished stone,” Larke-Ewing said.
“This means that people are guaranteed to have an original Tasmanian piece of wearable art.”

Larke-Ewing added that she and her husband want to keep making jewellery that’s “so gorgeous that it almost breaks our heart to sell it”.

‘Tasmania’s unique geology is undeniable’

Larke-Ewing told Tasmanian Times that Tasmania is the sole reason why Kichikoo Design exists.

“[Mark and I] feel very lucky to live here, and we share a great love for the island,” she said.

“There simply is no other place in the world we would rather be. Tasmania’s unique geology is undeniable, and we are very privileged to have such close access to nature.”

The gemstone that’s especially meaningful to Larke-Ewing is the Tasmanian black spinel.

“It has been overlooked for so long, [but] I think that it’s now having its moment in the spotlight,” she said.

“I just love how glassy it looks when highly polished. It is such a solid, dark, shiny, mysterious stone – it touches my inner 90s goth.”

Larke-Ewing added that all gemstones are “literally nature’s fidget spinners” and that they can help calm a restless mind.

“We really hope that we share our love of bespoke Tasmanian gemstones with the world,” she said.

“You’ve gotta have a dream!”

Erica Larke-Ewing speaking at the launch

Callum J. Jones is passionate about telling stories. He studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania and lived in Western Sydney from 2022 to 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial planners. Callum has written for Tasmanian Times since 2018 and has also been published in a range of other outlets, including Quadrant and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies.