Designed with intention, each piece carries meaning beyond the moment.
BY TONIN was founded by partners Carlo and Mia as a reflection of their shared journey and the values they live by: slowing down, making considered choices and moving with intention. Their jewellery is minimalist and timeless, created through a careful process that favours simplicity, subtle detail and a sense of quiet character. Each piece is designed to be worn every day, while holding space for the wearer’s own meaning and connection.
What inspired the founding of BY TONIN and how did your journey together shape the brand’s vision?
The vision for BY TONIN is a direct reflection of our journey as a couple. Carlo and I (Mia) have been together for eight years now, and in that time, we’ve learned to slow down, make thoughtful choices and live more intentionally. It’s a continuous learning process, but it’s a way of life we’ve come to practise together, and it’s this approach that has naturally become the foundation of the brand. We realised our most beautiful moments were the ones where we were truly present, and that’s the feeling we wanted BY TONIN to capture and celebrate. I do love jewellery, and Carlo knows it well. He has gifted me pieces for special occasions, and I’ve also bought little mementos for myself. We enjoy giving jewellery to others too, especially our mums. For us, jewellery has always been a way to mark special moments and show care for the people we love. It’s a thoughtful gesture, and that feeling is part of what inspired the brand. When we started BY TONIN, our focus wasn’t on trends but on creating jewellery that feels timeless and reflects the same care and attention we try to bring into our everyday lives. We focus on simple, minimalist, thoughtful pieces that people can connect with in their own way. These principles guide everything we do, from the designs to the packaging, the people we work with, to how we consider our impact on people and the environment.
How would you describe your design approach when creating jewellery that feels both contemporary and personal?
We’ve always loved simplicity, and that guides our design approach. We keep each piece focused on its essential form so it feels timeless, modern, and easy to wear every day. At the same time, we think carefully about how a piece might fit into someone’s everyday life and how it could be worn and enjoyed. For us, it’s about finding the balance between clean, refined design while leaving room for each person to make it their own.
Can you walk us through the process of bringing a BY TONIN piece from initial concept to finished jewellery?
The process usually starts with a sketch, often inspired by a memory, a feeling, or even just a little detail we’ve noticed. A lot of our early ideas take shape at our kitchen table, where we play around with forms, proportions, and combinations. We take our time, looking at each design from every angle before refining the details and measuring each spec carefully. From there, we spend time learning about the materials and stones we want to use. We think about their quality, durability, sourcing, and how they might age over time. We consider the person who will wear the piece, how it will feel and move with them, and the ways they might wear it. Once we’re happy with the concept, we share the sketches with our partners. They bring over a decade of experience, and their knowledge helps us refine each part of the piece. This stage is very collaborative, with lots of conversations, testing samples, and making sure the design feels as natural to wear as it is beautiful to look at. Then comes the production stage. Each release is considered, with a select number of designs produced in small volumes, so we can give close attention to every detail. Each piece passes through at least 68 pairs of hands, from initial crafting to final finishing, before it is packaged. Every batch goes through rigorous testing, with detailed reports to confirm that the materials, stones, and plating meet our standards. For us, it’s about making sure every element feels thoughtful and considered. By the time someone receives a piece, it’s been imagined, handled, tested, and cared for at every stage.
How do you balance simplicity and timelessness with unique design details in your collections?
We’ve always believed that simplicity is what makes a piece timeless, but it’s the small, careful details that give it character. We like to add subtle touches that bring personality without ever feeling overpowering. The idea is that the jewellery should complement the person wearing it, not compete with them. Finding that balance is a process we take our time with. Too much detail can feel heavy, and too little can feel flat. So we refine proportions, play with textures, and look at each design from every angle until it feels just right. Simple, but with enough detail to feel thoughtful and considered.
How do you ensure each design resonates meaningfully with the wearer’s unique story and values?
For us, it’s about the person wearing the piece. We hope each design finds its own connection with them in a way that feels natural and special. The details we add are subtle and intentional, and we like to leave them open for personal interpretation. We see the meaning in how a piece is actually worn and experienced. When people make it their own, it feels personal and real. That connection is at the heart of why we do what we do.
What has been the most humbling or grounding moment so far as new founders?
One of the most memorable moments for us was seeing someone wearing our jewellery for the very first time in a Pilates class. We’d spent so many hours behind the scenes, sketching, refining, and thinking about every detail, and then to see a piece moving with someone in their everyday life was both humbling and beautiful. It reminded us that our work isn’t just ours. Each piece carries a little of our care and thought, and then becomes part of someone else’s life. It’s a simple idea, but it feels like a gift we get to carry with us every day. It also showed us that even the small, everyday moments matter when you put thought and care into your work. As a new business, seeing our designs appreciated in such a personal way was grounding and really emotional.
Are there any current trends in jewellery or fashion that you’re particularly excited about or inspired by?
We’re really inspired by the growing focus on transparency, sustainable practices, and ethical sourcing in the fashion and jewellery industry. It’s encouraging to see more brands and makers prioritising responsibility and care, which reminds us there’s always more to learn and improve in our own work. We’re also excited by some of the new techniques emerging in the demi-fine space, from innovative approaches to craftsmanship to the use of more sustainable materials and technologies. Seeing what’s possible sparks ideas for us and pushes us to think differently about how to approach our designs. It keeps us curious, exploring new possibilities, and finding ways to combine thoughtfulness with creativity in everything we make.
What upcoming collections, collaborations, or creative projects are you most looking forward to sharing?
We have so many ideas we’re excited to bring to life! Right now, we’re designing our next collection and introducing a selection of new stones that bring fresh textures, colours, and character to our pieces. I (Mia) can’t wait to bring my background in painting into the projects, I think it’s special to add a personal touch to how we present and share our designs.
What we’re most looking forward to is building a community. We believe jewellery can be a form of thoughtful connection, and we are looking to partner with stockists and other creators who share this vision. The idea of growing our relationships and sharing our intentional pieces with more people is what genuinely excites us about what’s ahead for BY TONIN.
For more information visit bytonin.com and @bytonin_. Explore BY TONIN in the Together Journal directory.
