RREN Jewellery started almost by accident. When Rivi New was designing a custom ring to be made in America for her 10th wedding anniversary and the process went wrong, she was devastated. Instead of sending it back and forth to the US to fix the issue, she put her thinking cap on and turned to her sister-in-law, Ricky, asking if they should start a jewellery business together.
“When Rivi came to me with this idea, I was at a turning point in my career. I’d been working for a number of years as a designer and art director in the fashion and beauty world. While I loved the creativity, I was starting to feel like I was ready to do something for myself. I wanted to build something meaningful but didn’t know exactly what that would look like,” Ricky told The AJN. “When Rivi approached me with the idea, everything just fell into place. Her knowledge and understanding of jewellery with my background in design and fashion — it all came together in such a natural way, and that’s how RREN was born.”
While the pair are sisters-in-law now, their story began quite a few years back. Rivi, originally from Long Beach California, went to Melbourne for a year at Ohel Chana (a seminary for women), where she ended up being Ricky’s madricha. Rivi ended up marrying Ricky’s brother.
Rivi had actually taught herself how to design jewellery at a young age. In Year 8, she began to design jewellery with Swarovski crystals, selling them at summer camp in the US. But she said, while it was a passion of hers, she never imagined it would become her career.
The pair were due to launch RREN Jewellery towards the end of 2023. They had started photographing their beautiful pieces and creating their online store. And then the Hamas-led massacre on October 7 occurred. The pair said their jewellery ambition suddenly felt meaningless and impossible. To help cope, they created a Judaica collection.
“What I love most is that her talents are so different from mine—things I could never do myself—which makes our partnership so special…”
“We were so consumed with grief and heartbreak that nothing else felt important. And so we chose to pause our launch and channel our energy and resources into actively supporting our people in Israel, while also offering our local and international community a way to express their Jewish identity with pride. And that’s how the Judea Collection emerged,” they said. “In three months we designed, crafted and produced the collection, selling exclusively on Instagram. It showcased timeless Magen David and Chai designs, crafted into rings, necklaces, and bracelets, all made from natural diamonds and real gold. With this launch, we donated 18% of each sale to Solidarity 4 Survivors — an organisation dedicated to rebuilding the kibbutzim and providing aid for families in need.”
Their latest collaboration is with Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist Hendel Futerfas, reimagining his Chai sculpture as a necklace. As they say on their website, the Chai necklace is where “modern art meets ancient tradition, a celebration of life”.
“This partnership has been such a natural fit for us, especially as an extension of our Judea Collection,” they told The AJN. “What makes this collaboration so special is that we are working alongside another Jewish artist, whose vision and artistry align so beautifully with our own. The process of adapting Hendel’s sculpture into a piece of jewellery has been deeply meaningful. It’s not just about capturing the beauty of its craftsmanship but also about honouring the profound significance of what Chai represents — life, resilience, and the enduring spirit of our people.”
Rivi explained that designing the necklace was both a challenge and a joy. “The original sculpture is bold and commanding, with a scale and presence that captivates. Our task was to retain that energy while reimagining it in a form that could be worn every day,” she said. “Every curve and angle of the piece echoes the original sculpture, yet its smaller, more intimate form invites connection and closeness. The piece is magnificent, a true reflection of its meaning.”
For Hendel, seeing the sculpture transformed into a necklace was a deeply moving experience. Explaining that Chai holds immense power for him, he wanted the sculpture to reflect the strength that the Jewish people draw from life.
“I’ve always believed that the shapes of the letters hold an energy and dynamism that other alphabets lack, and Chai epitomises this vitality. The word encourages us to embrace each moment, grow through challenges, and draw support from our communities. Through its form, I sought to convey that profound connection to life and its lasting significance,” he said, explaining that the way he sees it, the necklace takes the message of the sculpture – perseverance and purpose – and makes it wearable.
“A personal talisman, the necklace allows the message of Chai to travel with people, becoming part of their lives in a tangible, intimate way. In this form, the piece becomes not only a celebration of life but also a testament to the wearer’s connection to their heritage and their community,” he said.
Ricky echoes this sentiment, saying, “In the moments where the world feels like a dark and isolating place, the Chai has the power to connect us across time and space, reminding us of our roots and the collective strength of our people.”
As for working together as family, both Ricky and Rivi say it’s an absolute joy.
“When your relationship is built on a foundation of love and respect then no matter what happens we always fall back on that. Of course, there are times when we don’t agree or high-pressure moments that we need to work through but at the end of the day, we both prioritise each other over the business. And truly I have been blessed with Rivi as my business partner,” Ricky said, explaining that Rivi is “all passion and no ego” and praising her sister-in-law’s skill and technical knowledge. “I have seen her stun seasoned jewellers with her knowledge and ability to identify stone qualities with her naked eye. When we are designing pieces there is not a single detail that isn’t considered.”
Rivi is equally as complimentary about Ricky, calling it a privilege. “I am in awe of her vision. Her creative eye and artistic direction have completely elevated our brand in a way I could have never dreamed of. She’s worked with Australia’s biggest names in fashion and beauty and now she brings that experience to RREN, I could not feel luckier. What I love most is that her talents are so different from mine—things I could never do myself—which makes our partnership so special. Her eye for detail and artistry perfectly complements my strengths, and together, we have created something I’m really proud of. It’s an honour to build this together, and I’m inspired by her every day.”
To see Rivi and Ricky’s beautiful collections, head to their website – rrenjewellery.com – and follow them on Instagram @rren.jewellery
To see Hendel Futerfas’ work, head to his website – hendelfuterfas.com – and follow him on Instagram @sculptureby_hendel
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