Discover a hidden gem.
Loved by Sunshine Coast locals for over 50 years, our precious jewellery atelier has been designing and crafting beautifully unique and innovative jewellery from locally sourced diamonds and gemstones.
Discover the difference where you sit and talk directly to multi-award-winning designers and makers of exceptional quality jewellery in our custom-built showroom and atelier.
Our focus is on renewable and sustainable materials, mindfully and ethically sourced. Together we will create something unique for you, where your ideas and creativity are skillfully brought to life. Sunstate Jewellers are members of the prestigious Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia. We are licenced with Australian Made. With every item hallmarked with our studio mark, you will enjoy our written 25-year guarantee - your assurance and proof that you are buying Australia's finest jewellery. Once registered online, you unlock an unrivalled FREE aftercare plan.
Our Team
Rita Williams 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Jewellery Designer, Customer Service
Rita owns Sunstate Jewellers and began work in 1989 at entry-level manufacturing, engraving and rhodium electro-plating.
Over the past four decades, she has improved her skills and talents, discovering an exceptional knack for re-styling existing jewellery into something completely new. These new creations have vastly enhanced aesthetics and significantly boosted the monetary value.
Passionate about Australia's National gemstone, Opal, Rita has been recognized with several jewellery design awards, most recently First Place in the QBOA Queen of Gems Jewellery & Design Awards as a Professional Jeweller (1B) in 2023.
Rita has completed Graduate Diplomas in Graphic Design, Marketing, Gemmology, Leadership, Accounting, Finance, and Strategic Planning. She is a member of the prestigious Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia (F4) and a licensed second-hand dealer with complete police checks.
You can hear Rita on Sunshine FM 104.9 Monday mornings with Lynda Prout.
Ian McDougall 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Leading Jeweller, Gem Setting & Mounting
Ian started his jewellery career at Sunstate Jewellers in 1984, beginning his four-year jewellery apprenticeship. He flourished and excelled during his jewellery apprenticeship, and his immense talent was identified very early on. Ian's dedication to the craft was rewarded with the addition of a second four-year apprenticeship specialising in diamond and gemstone setting and mounting. Ian is one of a handful of fine jewellers with this combined skill, often called Master Jewellers.
Ian's talents and creativity but lack of ego have enabled several manufacturing jewellers throughout South East Queensland to shine, with him working for several retail outlets.
In 2014 Sunstate Jewellers were lucky enough to secure Ian's return. His meticulous attention to detail, breathtaking array of skills and creative brilliance at the jewellery bench set the standard that Sunstate Jewellers is renowned for. Ian's easygoing nature and impish humour are reflected in his leadership and management of our busy, productive workshop, delivering excellent results from all working with him.
Lesleigh Joyner 26 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Customer service, Production manager
Lesleigh's first full-time job began at Sunstate Jewellers in 1998. Her entry-level position included data entry and inventory. Many things have changed over the past three decades, including the vast jewellery and gemstone knowledge she has diligently gathered. She has nurtured strong industry connections, which help her to source the finest grade materials such as diamonds, gemstones and metals available in Australia for use in Sunstate Jewellers workshop. Lesleigh strongly focuses on only seeking out ecologically sustainable and ethically sourced items. Lesleigh is a firm favourite with customers and team members as she is thoughtful and friendly, constantly seeking the best outcomes.
Paul Saunders 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Jeweller, Gem Setting & Mounting, Digital Design, 3D Printing
Paul began jewellery manufacturing at Sunstate in an entry-level position in 1999.
Leading jeweller Ian McDougall identified Paul’s emerging skill and ability to deliver above-average results, and Paul accepted a jewellery apprenticeship. On the successful completion of his apprenticeship in 2004, Paul further enhanced his skill set with the addition of gem setting and mounting,
From this firm foundation of traditional hand skills using timeless techniques and tools, Paul’s interests moved into emerging technologies in the field of manufacturing, including digital design & rendering using Rhino Matrix and 3D printing in a range of materials, including resins and wax.
After many years of travel and independent contracting work, we’re delighted to welcome Paul back this year to where it all started.
Paul works closely with all members of the Sunstate Jewellers team, from design and manufacturing to gemstone setting and jewellery.
Paula Morrall 24 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Jeweller, Gemstones, Customer Service
Paula joined the Sunstate Jewellers team in 2017 when she relocated to the Sunshine Coast following her hugely successful decades building her Indigo Cactus brand, which featured an eclectic mix of jewellery, objects and art featuring minerals, crystals and gemstones from around the World. The retail space in the Elizabeth Street Arcade was iconic through the 1990s and beyond. She has a graduate diploma in Gemmology.
Paula is an extremely creative and highly skilled artisan with an attention to fine details and accents with a particular interest in organics, freeform crystals and minerals. She can clearly define customer ideas and expectations and share these with others on our team.