Our people

Meet the team behind Ethical Jewellery Australia

Melinda Bailey FGAA | Founder & Creative Director

​Melinda, a jewellery designer and registered Gemmologist, is the driving force behind Ethical Jewellery Australia (EJA) and creator of ‘The Promised Ring’.

The whole idea of starting an ethical jewellery business began when Melinda first learned of Oxfam’s ‘No Dirty Gold’ campaign back in 2006.

Once she became aware of the environmental issues, she signed the pledge immediately.

Melinda’s subsequent Gemmology and further studies strengthened her resolve to provide an environmentally and socially responsible alternative for jewellery buyers. She discovered that the cost of mining and processing diamonds and gemstones can be very high on both workers and the environment.

At the time, a co-owner of a retail bespoke jewellery business, she sold her interest in the shop and (with the support of her partner, Benn Harvey-Walker) launched Ethical Jewellery Australia.

Melinda works directly with customers to guide them through the process of designing their jewellery and works with our suppliers to source the material for each piece. She is the link between the customer and our jewellers and oversees manufacturing and quality control. 

Melinda is a Fellow of the GAA (Gemmological Association of Australia).

 

EMAIL MELINDA

Benn Harvey-Walker | Co-founder, Director of Business Development

With 17 years experience in small business sales and marketing and 10 years operating his own business, Benn, the co-founder of Ethical Jewellery Australia, brings a wealth of knowledge to the business.

In its early years, whilst operating his own construction-related business, Benn helped EJA become what it is by playing a big part in developing the original website and Engagement Ring Design Guide. The first edition was published in 2014.

In early 2018, Benn joined EJA full time and played a major role in updating the website, producing a second (and now third) edition of the Ring Design Guide.

Day to day Benn wears many hats in EJA. These include blogging about topical issues in the ethical jewellery space. He also handles most of the jewellery photography duties and creates some of the technical drawings of the rings we make. On top of this, Benn manages the social media side of the business and looks after most things business development related.

EMAIL BENN

Ferdinand Woolley | Manufacturing Jeweller & Setter

We are very fortunate to have Ferdinand Woolley – a talented, creative and meticulous jeweller (and a fabulous human being) manufacturing our beautiful rings.

With 30 years’ industry experience, Ferdinand is also a highly skilled gem and diamond setter and is experienced in working with platinum and palladium.

We could not do what we do without him and he is treasured by us and all who wear his rings.

Ferdinand is a key ingredient in our success. It is because of his unique ability and amazing care that it has taken us so long to expand our jeweller network. He has shown us that it is worth taking time to find the right people.

Luise and Christian Gortz | Manufacturing Jewellers and Setter

With over 60 years of combined jewellery making experience, Chris and Luise are a formidable jewellery-making couple. Both hand make jewellery for us from their beautiful, peaceful studio nestled in 100 acres of the Byron Bay Hinterland in NSW

A jeweller and setter, Chris is a calm and patient man and is meticulous in his attention to detail. Producing work of the highest quality, every piece is painstakingly finished to perfection.

Likewise, Luise produces beautiful, carefully crafted work and is responsible for producing many of our wedding rings.

We are very fortunate to be able to deliver their skills to you.