In a leap of faith, Thomas Coen Bonson founded his jewellery company in a bid to follow his dreams.
The proud Jawoyn and Kala Lagaw Ya man is the owner of Thomas Coen jewellery.
His brand has attracted attention from the likes of Jessica Mauboy and Deborah Mailman for its statement-making adornments to their red carpet looks.
While the bright lights begin to shine on his creations, for Bonson, jewellery is more than an accessory.
The first collection that sparked his love for jewellery was his Nan’s, and each piece had a story.
“I remember her talking about a gold nugget on a chain that she won in a raffle at bingo and she lit up when she spoke about it and how she won it,” Bonson said.
“Another ring that was gifted from her father, a little cross that she got from her mother, and just how ... excited she was to one day pass it on and the value she put into that piece.
“With jewellery, it’s so emotional because [it's] with us in those big moments in life.”
By coincidence or perhaps kismet, Bonson’s footy coach owned a jewellery shop and invited him to do his week of work experience there. He was then offered a part-time job, before moving to Adelaide to study at the College of Arts, completing an apprenticeship.
Although now based in Canberra, his collections are always inspired by Country, culture and family.
The Mantiyupwi necklace from Thomas Coen Jewellery. Source: Supplied
"So I’ll go build fish traps with Dad [in] communities. I’ve been over on the Tiwi Islands and that’s where I got the Mantiyupwi necklace [inspiration] from.
Bonson said he categorises his creations in three ways — fun, emotional and spiritual.
From the initial strike of inspiration, to making the designs come to life, collaborating with a client to create their dream engagement ring or taking a family heirloom and redesigning something new, Bonson said there are many sides to his profession that are rewarding and fulfilling for him.
"I have that fun side, I have the excitement of someone’s future side and then I have that kind of deeper spiritual side of the past - putting something together and creating something new with something old," he said.
For the coral ring worn by Jessica Mauboy at this year's National Indigenous Music Awards, Bonson said the idea just came to him.
He said he had wondered what kind of occasion would call for such a bold design.
Bonson said Mauboy's team selected a few pieces but he also sent the coral ring, just in case.
"When I found out she wore that coral ring, I was stoked," he said.
"I loved that they had a plan and they thought this [was] way better. Jewellery is so hard. It’s something you need to put on your body to work out if it’s something really for you at times, especially with a bold, louder piece like that. I was so excited when they reached out."
Looking ahead, Bonson said he'd love to create custom pieces for Baker Boy and hip hop group 3% and as an life-long footy fan, an AFL star.
"That would give me the opportunity to start a Black team," Bonson said.
This is just the beginning for Thomas Coen Jewellery with Bonson wanting to bring in more mob to explore the field of jewellery-making and design.
"I don’t think I should be the only Blackfulla with the ability to create these things on a high stage," he said.
"I would love to have more around me because I’m not going to get where I’m going fast alone.
"I think I need more brains around me and I would love them to be Blak brains as well, to work with me with their cultures and their mobs and their stories."
Thomas Coen Jewellery's Aboriginal flag necklace. Source: Supplied
"It’s lonely right now, I want mob to call up and bounce ideas off when it comes to our designs and our art," he said.
"I think it will be so healthy and it’ll be new. There’s nothing really new happening in the jewellery industry, it’s done and so to be the only one, I could use some company to take it to wherever it takes itself."
