Michel Germani is an Australian jewellery designer and the founder of Germani Jewellery, one of Sydney’s most recognised luxury jewellery houses. He is known for his craftsmanship, his attention to detail and a lasting commitment to high-quality design, and over several decades he has built a reputation as a trusted name in bespoke jewellery.
Michel Germani’s career spans fifty years in the jewellery industry: from studying gemmology at the Santa Monica campus of the Gemological Institute of America, where he qualified as a Graduate Gemologist (G.G., G.I.A.), to working on the Diamond Bourse in Antwerp, Belgium, and designing exceptional jewellery for members of the Saudi Royal Family and other royalty. In 1985 he established Germani Jewellery in Australia.
Born into a family with a strong appreciation for artistry and fine craftsmanship, Michel developed an early passion for jewellery design. He turned that passion into a thriving business, establishing Germani Jewellery in Sydney, where the brand became known for elegance, precision and personal service.
His work spans custom engagement rings, important diamond pieces and unique handcrafted designs. Germani boutiques, including those at the Queen Victoria Building and the Hilton Sydney, drew clients looking for exceptional craftsmanship and one-to-one design consultation.
Throughout his career, Michel has been recognised for the way he blends traditional jewellery-making techniques with modern design. Germani has served a diverse clientele, from those choosing their very first fine piece to high-profile collectors, and is known for reliability, luxury and artistic excellence.
Today Michel continues to design for private clients, and shares a lifetime of experience through the Germani Jewellery Academy.
From Saudi Arabia to Sydney
The Start of Michel’s Jewellery Career
Michel began his career in jewellery in Saudi Arabia, before founding Germani Jewellery in Australia in 1985.
Germani at Skygarden
The Germani store at Skygarden, Sydney, in 1987, with the late Mrs Samira Germani, the Spouse of the Late Chief Justice Elias Germani.
Germani Bijoux
Germani’s own perfume, Bijoux, was launched.
The Strand Arcade
Michel Germani opens a new Germani shop in Sydney’s Strand Arcade.
From design to a fully fitted store
Every Germani store is designed personally by Michel Germani, who draws the original renders for each one by hand. From first drawing to final fit-out: plans and renders, the chandelier and the marble, then walls and showcases built in the workshop and installed in the store.
CAD Before Fitting
The George Street store in CAD, 2016, before the fitting process began.
CAD: The Shopfront
The frontage, drawn before a single panel was made.
CAD: The Showroom
The round counter and glass domes, as designed.
CAD: The Boutique
Ivory walls and gold-framed windows.
Design Process for Shop Fitting
Every wall, window and showcase planned in 3D.
Floor Plan
Every cabinet and showcase measured to the millimetre.
Shop Fitting Execution
The showcases, made to the design.
Cabinet Assembly
Assembled for appraisal before shipping.
Choosing the Chandelier
Crystal chosen to light the jewellery.
To the Tiles
Down to the floor tiles, with the Germani name inlaid in marble.
Unique Fittings
A round display table and fittings made only for Germani.
Promoting Products
Display panels made for Germani’s own products.
Before
The Queen Victoria Building store, as designed.
After
The same store, finished and open.
From 20 to 200 sq m
Boutiques fitted from 20 square metres to 200 square metres.
Location of the Store
Chosen where clients already come to shop.
From sketch to finished piece
Every Germani piece is designed, sketched and produced by Michel Germani. Here, the sketches for a ruby suite become the finished Ruby Drop Necklace.
The Sketch
A suite worked out in colour on paper.
Design to Finish
The necklace beside the sketches for its bracelets.
The Finished Piece
The Ruby Drop Necklace, complete.
Dressed to stop the street
Germani window displays on George Street: emeralds, black opals, coloured gemstones, South Sea pearls and gold.
Emeralds
An emerald drop pendant with emerald rings and diamond earrings.
Coloured Gemstones
A black opal pendant with tanzanite, sapphire, emerald and pink gemstone pieces.
South Sea Pearls
A strand of large South Sea pearls with pearl earrings and gem-set bands.
Gold & Pearls
Baroque pearls with gold cocktail rings, earrings and diamond bangles.
Cocktail Parties, Functions & Soirées
Over the years, Germani has welcomed clients and friends to cocktail evenings, functions and soirées in its boutiques, to celebrate new collections and special pieces.
The Germani Photo Shoot
Germani pieces photographed in the showroom, with Michel Germani on set.
Michel on Set
Michel Germani with the model in the showroom.
Behind the Scenes
Photographing the collection in the showroom.
Under the Lights
A Germani campaign shoot beneath the Germani Jewellery sign.
Made for royalty and celebrities
Among the pieces created by Germani over the decades are commissions for Queen Noor, the Saudi Royal Family and Elizabeth Taylor.
The Queen Noor Necklace
A white gold collier set with triangle-shaped diamonds, made for Queen Noor in 1984.
Emerald Parure Made for a Saudi Princess
Necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet in emeralds and diamonds, made for a Saudi Princess in 1983.
Ruby Parure
Necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet in rubies and diamonds, commissioned by a Saudi Princess.
The Elizabeth Taylor Collection
A collection made for Elizabeth Taylor with the launch of her perfumes. “Three sparkling new fragrances from Elizabeth Taylor”, presented with Germani Jewellery.
What defines a Germani piece
Exceptional stones
Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, black opals and diamonds, chosen one by one for colour, life and character.
Craftsmanship
Traditional techniques such as calibré setting and hand finishing, applied with precision to every detail.
Personal service
A one-to-one relationship with the designer himself, from the first conversation to the final fitting.
