INNATE Jewellery is a studio located in Lyttelton, New Zealand. It creates contemporary jewellery in sterling silver and gold, and occasionally gemstones. Founded by jeweller Donna Hughes, this is a collection of handmade jewellery that reflects Donna Hughes’ personal aesthetic. Donna Hughes has been designing jewellery since 2011. She initially collaborated with her sister Jennie Hughes to create a collection of jewellery under the name Mondays Child.

The vessels are inspired by ancient Greek vessels from the 4th-3rd century BC, hand-carved in wax and cast in sterling silver. Each vessel is individual. Details include engravings, 9K gold bases and 24K gold plating. Some jewellery collections are based on architectural details used to protect and defend castles, historically designed for arrows and crossbows as defence... Over time, jewellery has become a second skin, a protective talisman, a natural form that encompasses the beauty of subtlety and perfect imperfection.

Jewellery has always been a symbol - representing power, culture, family, relationships and personal narratives. For Donna Hughes, this is how she chooses to showcase her identity, her personal aesthetic, and her intimate history. She loves things that are raw and imperfect, but also things that are elegant and refined, and she wants each of her pieces to contain all of these elements. That’s when she knows she’s done.