In 1965, a young man stood outside his uncle’s jewellery shop in Whangarei, New Zealand, and saw the woman of his dreams approaching. She was there to have a pendant necklace fixed, and initially ignored the man’s attempts to woo her. But five months later the couple would marry and, in 2015, they celebrated their 50th anniversary.
The occasion was no doubt marked by a glorious gift of gold – because this is the love story of Sir Michael and Lady Christine Hill, doyens of the jewellery world. In 1979 the pair opened Michael Hill, which has since grown into one of Australasia’s most recognisable jewellers, with 280 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
True to its tagline, “We’re For Love”, the company specialises in creating exquisite jewellery for the moments that matter. “Everyone has at least one special jewellery piece that they treasure – whether that’s an heirloom, an engagement ring or even a handmade friendship bracelet,” says Jo Feeney, chief marketing officer.
“Jewellery is personal and meaningful, and those extra-special pieces all have stories and memories tied to them. What gets us out of bed each day is being part of those moments.”
Bridal is, naturally, a major category for the brand, from its sparkling engagement rings to timeless wedding bands for women and men. There’s the Sir Michael Hill Designer Three Stone Halo Engagement Ring, defined by a trio of brilliant diamonds and 18-carat white gold band; the Southern Star Oval Solitaire Engagement Ring, which features a diamond cut with 65 facets for exceptional shimmer; and hundreds of other dazzling designs.
Notably, the latest Michael Hill bridal campaign pays homage to the romance that started it all. “I drew a lot of inspiration from the love story of Sir Michael and Lady Christine,” explains creative director Christy Peacock. “The time when they met and fell in love – the 1960s – was creatively vibrant. The Beatles had just toured New Zealand, Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent were bursting onto the fashion scene, and iconic films featuring movie stars with enduring style dominated culture.”
But while the brand looks lovingly to the past, it also has an eye on the future, branching into laboratory-made stones with its Fenix Created Diamonds collection. “We first introduced laboratory-grown diamonds in 2019, [recognising] this as an incredible innovation that’s revolutionising fine jewellery,” says Feeney. “There are a few drawcards, one of which is provenance … [Our] laboratory-grown diamonds are certified sustainable, climate-neutral, and meet the highest level of ethical and environmental responsibility. Another is simply how extraordinary these stones are … they’re perfect for anyone who is set on a beautiful, large stone with premium colour and clarity grades.”
These high-shine, non-mined diamonds are rapidly gaining popularity among eco-conscious millennials and Gen Zs, aligning with Peacock’s vision to “introduce a new, younger audience to the brand and attract [people] who previously [might not] have considered Michael Hill for their engagement moment”.
Not that you need a suitor to indulge in the brand’s stunning jewels. “The traditional concept was that men would buy jewellery as a romantic gift, but that’s very much in the past,” Feeney says. “[Today,] tennis bracelets and diamond studs are [our] most popular diamond pieces for self-gifting. Now it’s all about investing in a timeless piece for yourself, which you’ll treasure and wear for a long time to come.”
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