Zappacosta Jewels

About us

Zappacosta Jewels is a very special store dedicated to the design and creation of beautiful jewellery.

Our clients are people who love objects of beauty, who treasure fine design and are inspired by the beautiful colours of nature.

Our aim is to bring joy to the wearer with the joi de vivre we apply to each individual design.

Located in Australia’s premier designer location, The Strand Arcade in Sydney’s CBD, our store sits alongside some of the most exclusive fashion and jewellery boutiques in the nation.

Our showroom on the second floor has an abundance of precious and semi-precious gemstones sourced from around the world; conflict free diamonds, South Seas Pearls from Australia and Tahiti, Burmese Rubies, Sapphires and many other coloured gems from Asia, Africa and South America. Our metals include platinum, the three colours of gold and sterling silver.

Our designer, Manuela Zappacosta, is recognised as one of Australia’s leading jewellery designers. Her sense of proportion and design, her exuberant yet delicate use of colour, and her superb technical abilities are the elements of a distinctive style which is widely admired.

Zappacosta Jewels has won The Strand Arcade ‘Retailer of the Year’ and was nominated for the next three consecutive years. Manuela has also been a finalist in the Harpers Bazaar and Diamond Guild of Australia Awards.

“I work closely with my clients to help them find an object of lasting beauty which they will always cherish,” says Manuela.

“Of course, many husbands and partners come into my store to buy gifts – and they often come back to let me know what a great reaction the gift received!” The loyalty between designer and client becomes generational.

While the majority of Manuela’s pieces are for women – necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets – the store also has a select range of rings, cufflinks and other pieces for men.

Manuela’s work is grounded in her extensive formal training in jewellery and design. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from Sydney’s College of Fine Arts (where she topped her year in Jewellery design and manufacture) followed by a Diploma in Gemmology then Manuela also completed a Business Management Certificate.

After graduating Manuela spent a year travelling through Europe and the Middle East, soaking up art, architecture and culture. Seven years of living and working in Los Angeles, further developed her unique style of feminine, colourful, casual and flirty jewellery. The famed Fred Segal on Melrose was one of many stockists of her pearls and gems. She also sold her work at the famed Melrose markets, where many big name stars were regular shoppers – fans of Manuela’s work included Bette Midler, Richard Gere, Rachael Hunter, Tyra Banks, David Spade, Jewel and Sharon and Ozzy Ozborne to name a few.

Today, Manuela and her loyal staff work hard to produce the gorgeous jewels that are much admired, highly sort after, and truly respected worldwide.

Apart from juggling a successful designer boutique, at home Manuela’s family consists of a toddler, a teenager, and a husband who is a Federal Politician.  You will always find her busy but with a smile, for she clearly loves her job and her life