Black Clay
The black clay we use at Malki is a fine clay which is stained black thanks to an evenly distributed black pigment.
The very fine particles of this clay make it a superior clay that is safe for use in functional ware (dishes) as well as in jewellery (or “jewellery ware” as we like to call it).
This also accounts for the clay’s smooth finished surface, which can be further enhanced by the maker’s fingers or agate stones—as it is still done today by specialised Barro Negro pottery villages in Mexico and Columbia.
The practice of burnishing (polishing) the clay surface has been used by many ancient civilizations as a way of compressing the clay surface and waterproofing it for storage purposes, but the polished black clay is equally beautiful in jewellery.
The black clay used in Barro Negro pottery villages is sourced locally, fired to around 800 degrees Celsius, and followed-up with the process of black smoking to deepen the colour.
The beautiful, deep, smooth, and sensual black clay we use at Malki is lovingly showcased in our jewellery for its all its wonderful qualities. We achieve the depth of colour, sheen and the satin finish as a result of a long firing to 1220 - 1240 degrees Celsius, a process we think is totally worth it!
Black clay is a dominant material in our Basalt Collection, click here to learn more about it.
Shop our black clay jewellery
Necklace: black and white clay, responsibly sourced 14 karat yellow gold beads, silk cord, responsibly sourced sterling silver, responsibly sourced fine silver. Orca necklace 2 includes a lapis lazuli bead.
Part of the Basalt Collection, these necklaces are a quiet tribute to the land shaped by volcanic forces in the Bundaberg region. Crafted from a blend of black and white clay, the unique marbled patterns that run through each necklace are not applied, but revealed—formed naturally as the clays are worked together by hand. The surface is smooth and cool to the touch—shaped by hand and hardened through firing.
The interplay of light and dark in the clay reflects the shifting tones of the natural world—stones, shadows, bone, and ash—drawing subtle inspiration from the animal kingdom. Each necklace is finished with 14kt gold beads, sterling and fine silver closures, and a pure silk cord, combining organic form with refined details.
Grounded yet bold, the Orca necklaces speak of endurance, of place, and of the intimate connection between the body and the land. They carry the memory of the earth.
Approximate length: 50cm
Rings: black and white clay
Part of the Basalt Collection, these rings are a tribute to the land shaped by volcanic forces in the Bundaberg region. Crafted from a blend of black and white clay, the unique marbled patterns that run through these rings are not applied, but revealed—formed naturally as the clays are worked together by hand. The surface is smooth and cool to the touch—shaped by hand and hardened through firing.
Designed with a graceful elongation that extends over the side of the hand or knuckle, the form plays with movement and silhouette, adding a subtle sculptural presence. The interplay of light and dark in the clay reflects the shifting tones of the natural world—stones, shadows, bone, and ash—drawing subtle inspiration from the animal kingdom. Grounded yet bold, the Basalt Rings speak of endurance, of place, and of the intimate connection between the body and the land. They carry the memory of the earth.
Necklace: responsibly sourced sterling silver, glazed black ceramic, cultured freshwater pearls, ethically sourced 2.4ct golden labradorite from Springsure, QLD.
Inspired by our exquisite subtropical coastline, the Secluded necklace is another lovingly constructed piece from our Basalt Collection. This necklace pays tribute to our precious shoreline, with hope that it remains secluded, pristine, and protected for decades to come. The ceramic and metal components of this necklace were all handmade in Bargara by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson. The stunning and highly dispersive 2.4 carat golden labradorite was ethically sourced by a local couple, Irvine and Maureen, who fossicked the rough stone from Springsure and beautifully faceted the stone by themselves.
The length of this necklace is adjustable from 49cm to 58cm.
Hook Earrings: responsibly sourced sterling silver, cultured freshwater pearls, glazed black clay.
The Secluded earrings were directly inspired by our exquisite coastline as a part of our Basalt Collection. The ceramic and metal components of these earrings were handmade in Bargara by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson. We’ve also paired these earrings with gorgeous pinkish pearls that add luminosity and the warmer tones we see in our twilight skies. While made as a pair, these earrings look equally beautiful when worn separately (in emphasis of the ceramic pieces’ unique form).
Length: approximately 7cm
Brooch: responsibly sourced sterling silver, glazed black ceramic, titanium, Burmite (Burmese amber (Myanmar), approximately 99 million years old).
This brooch draws direct inspiration from our exquisite Queensland coastline and is a part of our Basalt Collection. The ceramic component was handmade in Bargara by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson. The brooch also features a luscious and warm amber from Myanmar which is approximately 99 million years old. Completely fabricated by hand, the main part of the brooch is made of responsibly sourced sterling silver while the pin that secured the brooch to your clothing is titanium that has been heat coloured in blue. The contrast of the blue ceramic and warmth of amber evokes the skies we see over our Bargara studio, which has been a rich source of inspiration.
Approximate dimensions: 5.5cm x 4cm x 2.5cm.
Necklace: responsibly sourced sterling silver, glazed black clay, oval cut citrine (32 carat).
Inspired by our exquisite subtropical coastline, the Barolin Rocks necklace pays tribute to our precious shoreline, with hope that it remains secluded, pristine, and protected for decades to come. The ceramic and metal components of this necklace were all handmade in Bargara by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson. The stunning 32 carat citrine in this necklace evokes the dramatic sunset, which accentuates the deep blue waters and black volcanic rocks of the region in which Malki Studio artists live and work. The Barolin Rocks necklace is a distinguished artwork, and has been displayed in several exhibitions including in Government House, where it formed part of a showcase of Queensland's artistic excellence.
Barolin Rocks was exhibited in Queensland’s Parliament House in 2022 as a showcase of Queensland’s artistic excellence, curated by artisan Gallery.
Drop Earrings: responsibly sourced sterling silver, glazed black ceramic tiles, repurposed amber beads, repurposed cultured freshwater peals.
This iteration of the Barolin Rocks series draws direct inspiration from our exquisite Queensland coastline as a part of our Basalt Collection. The ceramic components of these earrings were handmade in Bargara by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson. We’ve paired these earrings with gorgeous pinkish pearls that add luminosity and amber for the warmer tones we see in our twilight skies. While made as a pair, these earrings look equally beautiful when worn individually (in emphasis of the ceramic pieces’ unique form and texture).
Approximate dimensions: 2.5 cm x 4.5 cm x 2 cm
Necklace: responsibly sourced sterling silver, glazed black ceramic, cultured freshwater pearl.
The Cerulean Sky collar necklace is the capstone piece of the Cerulean sky series. Inspired by our exquisite subtropical coastline, the Cerulean Sky Necklace is an essential part of our Basalt Collection. This necklace features a solid sterling silver ring from which we’ve suspended an organically textured and glazed black ceramic tile. In homage to the wild beauty of the landscape and the creatures that inhabit it, we’ve paired the ceramic tile with a peach coloured pearl, which simultaneously recalls the dramatic skies that fleetingly pass over our home and studio. The ceramic and metal components of this necklace were all handmade in Bargara by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson.
Necklace: black ceramics, titanium, copper, brass, sterling silver, fluorite, garnet beads, cultured freshwater pearls.
This necklace comes from our Basalt Collection. Basalt is a hard and darkly coloured rock formed by the flow of lava. In Bargara (Queensland), where Malki Studio is based, basalt rocks cover much of our coastline, setting a colour palette of dark grey/black and blue which we find delightful. In tribute to our natural surroundings, we have created the Basalt necklace, which features textured black ceramic beads, blue heat coloured titanium, pearl and garnet beads, and a large central blue-green fluorite set in oxidised copper and brass.
Bracelet: black clay, brass.
The Irons bracelet is a unique and chunky member of our Basalt Collection. Its name draws on both the iron-rich basalt that inspires the series and the historical wrist “irons” that hint at restraint and weight. The bracelet pairs a single black ceramic form—smooth in places, textured in others—with two oxidised and etched brass elements on the opposite side. The hinge opens and closes with an elongated brass pin attached by a handmade chain. The small golden eyes mark the moment of connection between the wearer and the earthbound materials from which the piece was made.
This piece was selected for artisan Collects (2022), a collaborative initiative between Malki Studio and artisan Gallery that invited collectors to explore jewellery as an art form. For more information, please click here.
This bracelet fits a medium to large sized wrist.
Inside width: 7cm.
Necklace: responsibly sourced sterling silver, white and black clay, stone beads.
This necklace comes from our Basalt Collection. Into The Wild celebrates the primordial, tangible, and tactile nature of clay. Raw and made of literal earth, the chunky black and white clay components of this necklace rest comfortingly and warmly against the wearer’s skin—thereby also acting as a conduit between the wearer, the Earth itself, and the extensive history of humanity’s use of this material. Two large beads with beautiful patterns connote animalistic surfaces and textures of the landscape, which evoke the wild spirit at the heart of this necklace.
This piece was selected for artisan Collects (2022), a collaborative initiative between Malki Studio and artisan Gallery that invited collectors to explore jewellery as an art form. For more information, please click here.
The ceramic and silver components of this necklace were handmade by Malki Studio artist Ariella Anderson.
Necklace length: 57cm
*This piece has been sold. If you would like something similar, please contact us to start a custom order. Together, we’ll create something just for you!
Necklace and Earring set: heat-coloured titanium, responsibly sourced sterling silver, responsibly sourced fine silver, glazed and textured black clay, amber beads.
Inspired by our exquisite coastline and handmade by Malki Studio artists in our Bargara studio. This one-of-a-kind statement necklace and earrings embody the colours and richness of our piece of paradise.
Rings: black and white clay
Part of the Basalt Collection, these rings are a tribute to the land shaped by volcanic forces in the Bundaberg region. Crafted from a blend of black and white clay, the unique marbled patterns that run through these rings are not applied, but revealed—formed naturally as the clays are worked together by hand. The surface is smooth and cool to the touch—shaped by hand and hardened through firing.
The interplay of light and dark in the clay reflects the shifting tones of the natural world—stones, shadows, bone, and ash—drawing subtle inspiration from the animal kingdom. Grounded yet bold, the Basalt Rings speak of endurance, of place, and of the intimate connection between the body and the land. They carry the memory of the earth.