The simple present that Sydney mum, Sarah Saputra, wanted herself as a child has shaped the course of her life and landed her in the heart of a very special business.
Growing up with two sisters, Sarah wanted a necklace with her name on it.
It would be that special thing that no one else could “borrow”.
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But at $100, it took until her teenage years for Sarah’s parents to budget for it.
“I ripped that package open: a personalised sterling silver necklace that I was never going to take off!” Sarah said.
“For a few weeks, I was on cloud nine, showing my necklace off to everyone, getting compliments, the works.”
But then it started to tarnish, turning black.
It turned out Sarah’s skin was super acidic which reacted with the metal. She couldn’t wear her treasured possession any longer.
It meant that when Sarah set up her own personalised jewellery business, Belle Fever, in 2012, finding an affordable alternative to sterling silver was high on her priority list.
Her solution is Monel Silver - which has a similar grade to titanium, and will never tarnish.
It also has no nickel in it to aggravate allergies so it’s safe for sensitive skin, too.
At last, Sarah could create and wear her dream creations and over the last ten years people all over the world have seen the advantages of the personalised, handcrafted jewellery too.
Belle Fever, named after Sarah’s daughter Isabella, has sold more than one million customised pieces from necklaces and bracelets to key rings and charms.
One of its biggest and most unexpected markets is that of people looking for a piece of jewellery to remember a loved one with.
“We’ve been deeply moved by stories shared by our customers, showing the profound impact our pieces have had during challenging times in their lives,” Sarah said.
These include a mother who had the heartbreaking experience of stillbirth.
She felt her baby’s hospital band was the only tangible proof of her child’s existence and Belle Fever crafted a bracelet that looked like it and enabled her to carry the memory of her baby with her everywhere she went.
A daughter also told Belle Fever how her ailing mother received one of its necklaces with her grandchildren’s names engraved on it.
It became an emblem of their love, so much so that she chose to be laid to rest with it.
Belle Fever’s range of memorial jewellery include cremation necklaces which have a small canister for some of a loved one’s ashes, photo necklaces and engravings for jewellery or urns.
Even in their grief customers have returned to thank Sarah and her team for the pieces they’ve created.
“I can’t thank you enough for this beautiful necklace,” said one mother.
“It’s for my son who recently passed away. Now I can carry him with me every day, everywhere.”
With Christmas on the way, it can be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones and Sherie shared her story about how she wanted to help her mum cope with the loss of her husband.
After discovering the Belle Fever memory cremation necklaces she bought one for her mum and said that it was the best gift she could have given her.
She told Sherie she felt like her husband was with her again and that the necklace brought her a sense of peace and comfort.
“We are humbled to be part of these personal journeys and are committed to crafting each piece with sensitivity, respect, and love,” Sarah said.
Alongside the memorial jewellery customers can also buy name necklaces including birth stones and inscriptions.
The pieces in both monel silver, gold and rose gold are also loved by their wearers.
“Absolute perfection. Thank you to the team for working hard with me to create the perfect piece. The necklace turned out gorgeous. My daughter was ecstatic,” said one happy customer.
“It was wonderful to see how beautiful this necklace turned out with my friends unique name and it was better than expected. Now my friend not only has a unique name but a beautiful unique necklace to match,” said another.
For more information or to buy, head to Belle Fever’s website here
