Rachel Sloane

 
 

Trained in fashion design, Rachel Sloane’s creative path was always hands-on, detail-obsessed, and rooted in storytelling. Rachel Sloane didn’t set out to become a jeweller—but in so many ways, it was inevitable.

As co-founder and Creative Director of Navveya & Sloane, Rachel has carved out a distinct space in the world of fine jewellery. Her pieces aren’t just beautiful—they’re deeply intentional. Together with her partner Alex, Rachel has built a modern jewellery house grounded in legacy.

Here we talked about home, how it all started, first piece of jewellery, wellness routine and more.

 
 

Let’s start with a feeling—what does jewellery mean to you?

I think of jewellery as little works of art that we hold close. I love that something so small can outlast us and still carry so much meaning, emotion and spirit. I’ve always felt it’s about more than just beauty—it’s about honouring the people we love, the ones who came before us, and the moments that shape who we are. There’s something deeply sentimental about it, and I feel genuinely grateful to work in such a special  industry. 

The design, the craftsmanship, the artistry—it's very inspiring to me. And when I wear a piece that means something to me, I feel different. It’s like a little boost of quiet strength. My jewellery makes me feel more elegant, more grounded, a little more ready to take on the world. 

 
 

Can you tell us a bit about home and growing up?

I grew up on the North Shore, with my mum, dad & brother. Honestly, it was the dream childhood. We had a beautiful backyard with a giant plum tree—complete with a tree hut Dad built by hand. I still remember the feeling of grass underfoot and that freedom of me & my brother being outside, totally in our own world.

As a kid I was always making something—drawing, painting, sewing. I loved sport too, especially running, but it was always the arts that pulled me in. Mum had a record player and would spin around the lounge to make us laugh—there was always music, movement and creativity around.

My dad’s a huge mentor for me. He’s stoic, with a heart of gold—he taught me integrity, kindness, how to keep your feet on the ground. Mum was the same but with more artist energy. She’s always been a muse for me & she encouraged every creative thing I ever wanted to try, that I am so grateful for. 

My earliest memory of jewellery is Mum giving me a little heart-shaped signet ring when I was five. She told me never to take it off—and I didn’t. That probably says everything. 

My Nanna Seagar had a wicked sense of humour and always looked immaculate—even when wearing a matching pastel tracksuit and her gold chain necklaces. She often gifted me jewellery on special occasions. On the other side of the family, my Nanna Sloane took care of the family farm while my grandfather bred racehorses. She was tough and elegant, with a work ethic that’s stayed with me ever since. 

I always loved exploring mum’s jewellery collection. Some favourite pieces were the pearl necklaces, cameos, & her sword brooch showcasing a crescent moon encrusted with pearls and tiny rubies. It was magical & I loved the family history.

Getting my ears pierced was huge. I still remember that trip to the chemist. I think that’s where the obsession all began. 

 
 

I always believe all the dots eventually connect. Can you tell us about your background prior to starting Navveya and Sloanne, and how they shaped the journey to where you are now?

I studied fashion design at AUT—my parents subtly nudged me in that direction and I think they saw design as a way to channel my energy. A few of my friends were heading there too, so it felt right.

It was good times: fun, chaotic, creative. After that I landed a role as a womenswear designer at Huffer and later in the wardrobe department at Shortland Street. Then I met Alex.

For a while, I thought I’d launch a fashion label. But the industry felt so fast, so saturated. I found myself drawn to jewellery instead—something about the permanence of it, the way it’s cherished, held close. I saw a gap for a more traditional jewellery house—one that carried the same depth and focus as the heritage brands, at a time when many fashion houses were starting to explore fine jewellery in a more modern, trend-led way. This was before the likes of Tiffany’s had really arrived on shore, so there was space to create something lasting and grounded in craft.

The design process felt familiar, still creative and meticulous, but now on a much smaller scale. I surrounded myself with the best artisans and suppliers I could find, and learned everything I could from them. That hands-on, collaborative energy still drives everything we do today.

Your pieces feel deeply emotional and intentionally crafted. What story were you trying to tell when you began?

When I think back, it was really the precious nature of jewellery that pulled me in. Not just the materials—but the meaning. There’s this quiet power in creating something so small that can hold so much: memory, emotion, energy. I became really interested in this idea that a piece could outlive us… be passed onto the next generation. When we started Naveya & Sloane, Alex and I had just fallen in love—it was all romance and big dreams. That feeling of beginning something lasting—both in love and in work—shaped everything. We leaned into engagement stories, into moments that mattered. It felt natural to build a brand with a soulful spirit with a focus on personalization. 

Do you remember the first piece of jewellery that truly moved you?

The one that comes to mind first is the Pool Party. It was inspired by one of my favourite houses in Palm Springs—Frey House II. I’d flown over for Modernism Week and I came back dreaming in desert hues and geometric lines.

At the centre of the Pool Party was this hypnotic radiant-cut silver-blue sapphire—honestly, you could dive into it. There was something peaceful and endless about the colour. I set it amongst a selection of fancy-cut diamonds—ovals, cushions, rounds, and trilliants—that reminded me of the rocks lining the gardens and pools of Palm Springs. They felt like they were dancing—each shape with its own rhythm, like a little gemstone jazz band.

I admired the  joyful, unexpected energy in the details. It was architectural, electric, and playful.

 
 

You’re shaping your own definition of luxury through this brand. What has “luxury” come to mean for you today?

For me, luxury today is less about excess and more about intention. It’s about how something makes you feel. Seen, understood, and celebrated. To give our clients the opportunity to capture how they feel at a certain moment in time in a tiny talisman is very cool. 

Custom design sits at the heart of what we do at Naveya & Sloane. I love working closely with people as they mark life’s most meaningful moments, whether that’s an engagement, an anniversary, or something quietly personal, like celebrating their own growth. Those conversations, those stories, are what shape the jewellery.

I think true luxury is about care. It’s in the time we take, the thought that goes into every detail, and the emotion a piece can carry. Beauty matters, of course, but it's the meaning behind it that gives it weight. 

 
 

Every business has its ups and downs. What advice or mindset has helped you stay grounded through the harder seasons?

I’ve learned the value of surrounding yourself with people who bring different strengths. Alex, who’s our CEO, comes from a physics background. He inspires me on a creative level & also brings a kind of clarity and structure that keeps the business side strong. He drives the big-picture thinking and the systems behind the scenes that allow both creativity & the business to flourish.

Internally, one of the most rewarding things has been watching the team grow. Sophie, who started in our sales team, is now our Head of Design and leads our art direction. Seeing talented & passionate team members evolve into roles that align with their strengths, is what it's all about.

These days, I’ve moved into a broader Creative Director role, focused on our bespoke pieces and working closely with some of our clients. Even as the business grows, I make it a priority to stay close to the people we design for. Those one-on-one conversations ground me. They’re the heartbeat of what we do, and they’ve kept me anchored through every season.

What’s something small that’s bringing you joy right now? A person, a ritual, an object—whatever’s lighting you up.

Right now, it’s my two girls—4 (almost 5!) and 2. They’re full of energy, imagination, and these incredible little one-liners that stay with me for days. Watching the world through their eyes reminds me to slow down and notice the beauty in small things.

Even simple rituals like slow mornings together or messy, joyful art projects feel like the most grounding part of my day. They’re definitely my greatest source of inspiration (and chaos, in the best way).

 
 

What are your favourite books at the moment?

I’m currently chipping away at The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, and it’s one of those books I keep returning to. It’s less a how-to and more a philosophy, a reminder that creativity isn’t something you force, but something you invite in every day. I love how gently it reframes the idea of being a maker. It’s quiet but powerful.

I am also very into this podcast Tetragrammaton & Adventures in wellbeing by Aroha.

What does your current beauty routine look like? Morning, evening... and we’re always curious about hand care.

In the morning, coffee ;) then a large glass of water. A little later I’ll make a smoothie/juice with cucumber (Princess Diana swore by cucumber juice!) , spinach, blueberries, walnuts and almond milk.

My makeup goes Emma Lewisham Moisturiser, a touch of MAC Strobe Cream, DB Radiant Glow Tinted Moisturiser, NARS Concealer, then I do a light Mecca Max Sunlit Skin contour to give my face some dimension. Then eye brows with Hourglass Brow Sculpting Pencil & Mascara on! 

The night routine is pretty simple. I wash my face with Cetaphil then apply Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. I try & get to bed early, before 10.30PM to get some beauty sleep in with a small glass of water before bed for skin hydration. 

For hand care I try to keep them sunblocked as much as I can. 

 
 

Do you have a signature scent? Tell us your favourite fragrance.

Right now, I’m loving Desert Dawn by Byredo. I fell in love with it in Paris! It’s supposed to evoke the transformative moment of sunrise in a desert. It's quite smooth, lightly floral, with a warm sweet silk musk layer mirroring the first rays of the desert sun. 

And finally—what are you listening to right now? We’d love a peek into your playlist.

We’ve just opened our Christchurch showroom, and I put together a playlist to capture the feeling of the opening night which I have on repeat. It's a vibe! Music has such a subtle power to shape mood, and for me, it’s often the starting point for creative flow.

 

Credits

Interview by Zeenat Wilkinson
Photography by Chloe Pomfret

 
Zeenat Wilkinson

Zeenat is the founder of Sauce, as well as a freelance producer and stylist
@zeenatwilkinson

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