Jessica’s jewellery journey goes global

Jessica completed her Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture (MEM30619) in 2015, before launching OHLIGUER, the Brisbane-born brand now worn by Hollywood’s biggest names and featured in Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Vogue, The Grammys and the Met Gala.

But long before the global recognition, the foundations of OHLIGUER were laid in a TAFE Queensland workshop, with Jessica developing the name and symbol for OHLIGUER while completing her apprenticeship.

Through block training, she refined specialist skills in stone setting, metal casting, chain making, and technical drawing, building the technical precision that underpins her brand today.

“The structure of each block encouraged me to reflect on my time management and identify areas for growth,” Jessica said.

“TAFE Queensland’s modern equipment elevated both the quality of my work and the efficiency of my training.”

She credits her training as pivotal - strengthening her craftsmanship and giving her the confidence to establish her own jewellery maison.

Jessica’s creative vision is deeply influenced by her family history, which traces back to the Russian Empire.

Her great-great-grandfather owned mines in the Ural Mountains, supplying gemstones to the Russian Tsars and the famed jeweller Carl Fabergé.

Her great-grandmother later fled the revolution with jewels sewn into her garments and her newborn hidden beneath a basket of fruit - a story of resilience and artistry that continues to inspire OHLIGUER’s bold, sculptural designs.

“Ohliguer is about capturing that mystery, peril and mastery through extraordinary jewels,” Jessica said.

After graduating, Jessica expanded her expertise overseas, earning a Master’s in Jewellery Design in Rome and studying under the masters of Bvlgari. Her time in Europe reframed jewellery as both art and legacy.

“When I trained with Bvlgari’s retired Design Director, Luca Bartoleschi, he asked me, ' What will be the iconic OHLIGUER jewel of Australia, like the Serpenti is to Bvlgari?” Jessica said.

That challenge inspired her inaugural collection, The Croc - a distinctly Australian design that has become synonymous with the brand.

Jessica’s fearless creativity has attracted international tastemakers, including stylist B. Åkerlund, renowned for her work with Madonna.

Commissioned to design a crown for a Vanity Fair shoot, Jessica reimagined the traditional crown of thorns into a crocodile-tail-inspired piece - rich in symbolism and strikingly modern. Crafted in just two weeks, the design cemented OHLIGUER’s reputation for bold innovation and exceptional craftsmanship.

Today, OHLIGUER’s pieces are crafted from ethically sourced 18ct and 22ct gold and feature rare gemstones, including Argyle pink diamonds and Lightning Ridge black opals. Sustainability and provenance are central to Jessica’s philosophy.

“For me, true luxury is about provenance; understanding the origin of the materials we work with is integral,” she said.

The Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture (MEM30619) equips students with hands-on skills using industry-standard tools and facilities - from stone setting and metal casting to chain making and technical drawing.

For Jessica, that technical foundation remains at the heart of her success.

“True craftsmanship is visible in the details - even on the back of a piece. For us, the back must be as considered as the front,” she said.

From Brisbane apprentice to international jewellery designer, Jessica Cooper’s journey proves that with passion, precision and world-class training, your career can shine anywhere in the world. And it all began at TAFE Queensland.