a shining pearl of Inverloch

From a home workshop to a boutique showroom, Joseph Courtenay brings the finest Australian gems to life with timeless, handcrafted designs.

Blue Salt Jewellers is redefining the art of bespoke jewellery as one of Inverloch's newest boutique destinations. At the heart of this flourishing boutique is craftsman Joseph Courtenay, whose journey - from the red pindan soil of Broome, to a home workshop, and now to a stunning showroom in Inverloch - is as captivating as the exquisite pieces he creates.

Having started Blue Salt Jewellers from a converted carport at home in Inverloch as a full-time venture in 2018, Joe felt ready to take a leap of faith and elevate the business to the next level earlier this year.

“I saw the ‘For lease’ sign go up and thought ‘bugger it, it’s now or never’,” he chuckles.

In April, Joe signed a lease on the property at 10B Williams Street, Inverloch that had previously been occupied for two decades by the 3mFM radio station and embarked on a complete fit-out to transform the upstairs space into a boutique jewellery store.

“A lot of effort went into the renovation to get it how I wanted. My fiancé Alejandra also rolled up her sleeves to help out where she could,” he says.

The result? A chic, welcoming boutique that blends modern elegance with artisanal charm.

Blue Salt Jewellers’ new home includes a showroom gallery area where its spectacular range of precious items are displayed, along with a private workshop and polishing room, a meeting room for appointments, and an external patio which is ideal for hosting functions or allowing clients to view pieces in natural sunlight.

A grand opening event in October was a great success despite inclement weather on the evening.

“We invited many of our existing clients who have had multiple pieces done in the past as a way of expressing our appreciation,” Joe explains.

“Now that we’re settled in, everything is going really well, and we’ve been flat out. Our plan is to keep raising the standard going forward and as part of that we are intending to run educational opal, pearl and diamond themed nights.

These events will offer a unique opportunity for people to explore the entire journey of a gemstone - from its origins deep within the earth or ocean, to its transformation into a stunning finished piece. We’re also scouting to collaborate with local wineries and cheesemakers to add to the evening’s enjoyment.”

Clients of Blue Salt Jewellers have the choice between having Joe create an exquisite custom-made piece to order or selecting from any of the ready to purchase items in the boutique’s current dazzling collection of rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces and watches.

“My display cabinets showcase all Australian products - pearls, sapphires, diamonds and opals,” Joe notes.

“My collection ranges from timeless, high-quality designs to oneof-a-kind, artistic creations that showcase my originality, blending unique textures and metals. These distinctive pieces have become especially popular with clients seeking something truly special.”

Prospective clients can either knock on the door for an informal visit during opening times from Tuesday to Sunday or schedule a private appointment online.

"We encourage clients to book private appointments so we can offer them an exclusive experience, taking the time to understand their vision and ensuring they receive exactly what they’re looking for."

For personalised bespoke pieces, which account for the greater share of Joe’s work, clients usually arrive with something in mind which they want him to turn into reality.

“After we sit down together, I begin by discussing their ideas and developing the concept more, and then I proceed to sketch possible designs. Generally, by the end of the first meeting, I ensure that all details and design aspects are sorted before I get on with making the piece of jewellery,” he says.

“There is nothing more satisfying than the smile and surprise on my clients' faces when they collect the finished product.”

Each personalised custom order is meticulously crafted with Joe’s trademark skill, expertise and individual flair to create a unique piece that will be treasured by its owner for a lifetime.

Anything to do with jewellery, Joe can do. He’ll even take care of small repairs to existing pieces such as fixing a chain, resizing a ring or changing a watch battery.

“It can all be done here in my workshop, and I don’t need to send anything away,” he says.

With his extensive industry experience, there is very little Joe doesn’t know about jewellery and gems.

”This is a business and trade in which you never stop learning. As experienced as I may be, I learn something new every day and I’m constantly pushing the envelope to improve myself and my skill sets.”

Growing up in Broome, Western Australia, he started working on pearl farms and boats on weekends and holidays at the age of fifteen.

“I studied aquaculture instead of doing Year 12 at school and ended up accepting the offer of an apprenticeship with one of the world’s largest pearling companies in Broome which was a dream come true,” Joe recalls.

“It was a five-year apprenticeship with Broome Pearls Pty Ltd, learning everything about hand crafted jewellery but also specialising in pearls and diamonds. During my apprenticeship I was very lucky to learn from some of the best and most traditional jewellers who made everything by hand.”

After finishing his apprenticeship, Joe went back out on the pearling fleets as a Pearl diver giving him a rare insight into the ins and outs of the processes involved in harvesting this beautiful oceanic gem. It was love that had Joe leave the Kimberley’s teal waters behind when he met his now ex-wife and followed her to her home town in Inverloch.

“She was keen to get back to her hometown, so I followed her down here in October 2008 and found work with Exxon Mobil at the Barry Beach Marine Terminal,” he says.

The birth of Joe’s two kids sealed his fate as an Inverloch local and over time they became the inspiration for his return to his beloved craft of fine jewellery.

Joe remembers it not being too difficult a decision to establish Blue Salt Jewellers despite the risk of leaving secure employment to commence a home-based business six years ago.

“I’m the type of person who is happy to keep moving forward in life and I don’t tend to get caught up in stuff too much,” he remarks.

“I set up a workshop at home and got stuck into it. It was a bit tricky getting work at first and matching the income I’d had working in oil and gas and other industries, but the bonus was being able to see more of my two boys and spending precious time with them.”

To this day, family continues to be a strong value that Joe holds, fuelling his passion to grow the business.

Joe’s eldest son Jed is now 16 and youngest Billy is 12.

“I’m hoping Billy is going to be a jeweller or artist. He’s really keen. Jed also did show some interest for a while and made a few rings, but it’s more likely to be Billy who follows in my footsteps,” he states.

Another key person in Joe’s life is his fiancé Alejandra who is already assisting in the business.

“I’m super lucky that Alejandra helps out where she can on the administrative side, looking after the accounting, marketing and website, which I’m super grateful for and stoked about,” he says.

“We’re a great team. Our complementary skill sets mean that we can operate the business at a really high standard on all fronts and we are always looking to improve and grow on all levels.”

Joe says he is extremely selective about the jewellery and gems that he uses and where he sources them from.

“I’ve got a standard that I stick to and won’t compromise on that –ethical and sustainable sourcing is as important to me as is selecting gemstones of the highest calibre,” he vows.

Joe’s workshop at the rear of the boutique is equipped with a combination of trusted older basic tools and modern hi-tech equipment.

Although Joe’s jewellery is typically high-end, he remains very down to earth, and it is important to him to be approachable and accessible to his clients.

“I don’t want to be like the flash jewellery stores where you don’t feel welcome. We are fancy but we’re friendly,” he laughs.

“That’s not how I see the trade, and I’ve certainly tried to remove that sort of stigma with my business. I did my apprenticeship in a high-end company, but we were all real craftsmen and had that connection to the pearl farm or diamond mine. That’s where the true beauty and connection to gems truly is in my eyes.” www.bluesaltjewellers.com