Welcome to the Wild World.
Wild Cut Designs, owned and operated by Carina Tucci, was born from a passion for sustainable jewellery.
Carina has developed her knowledge and craftsmanship for over a decade and is proud to use sustainably sourced gems, supporting artisanal miners and jewellers around Australia. She believes that we should all be able to enjoy the beauty of handcrafted pieces at affordable prices.
The Wild Story
At just 17 years old, Carina was working in hospitality and diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. This challenging period prompted her to reevaluate the direction she wanted for her future.
In 2008, Carina enrolled in an introductory gemmology short course with the Gemmology Association of Australia (GAA). For the first time in a long time, she discovered a new passion. In 2009, she packed her bags and moved from Melbourne to Queensland, embarking on a new journey and enrolling in the Diploma of Gemmology with the GAA.
Over the years, Carina has had the opportunity to work in many facets of the jewellery industry, including designing engagement rings, remodelling pre-loved jewellery, and sourcing unique and rare gemstones. She became a gemstone supplier and wholesaler, travelling to international trade shows and encountering some of the world's most unique and rare gemstones.
In 2016, Carina moved back to Melbourne, working first with one of the city’s foremost diamond experts, then with the biggest pearling company in Australia. This exposure truly opened her eyes to the world of luxury and fine jewellery.
After 15 years working with gems, does Carina take this job for granted? She reflects:
“I sit back sometimes and think about how amazing nature is to produce incredible gemstones that then make their way to a jewellery shop for me to enjoy and salivate over! After all my years of education, I know all the transformative steps in creating a gem, but I still am in awe.”
Like so many others, COVID-19 forced Carina to reevaluate her priorities, and she realised it was time to invest in herself. She has worked tirelessly to grow her valuing and consulting business from the ground up, working with private clients to value their treasured items, appraising jewellery collections for estates, assessing the value of goods at customs for government agencies, and consulting with private jewellery boutiques to educate their staff on gemmology and customer service in the jewellery industry.
Carina is now embarking on yet another journey, building on her professional career by studying for a Bachelor of Geoscience at the University of New England.
Education
2023 || 10789NAT Diploma of Applied Gemmology (Valuation), Valued Education T/A NCJV-EDU
2023 || TAE40116 Certificate lV in Training and Assessment, Inspire Education
2023 || Complete Guide to Laboratory-Grown Diamonds, The Gem Academy - Online Program
2021 || Advanced Diamonds Academy, Branko Gems Online Academy
2021 || Diamond Types Explained, The Gem Academy - Online Program
2020 || Applied Jewelry Professional, Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
2020 || Certified Pearl Specialist, Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA)
2020 || Diamond Foundation Course, De Beers Group Institute of Diamonds
2013 || Diploma of Diamond Technology, Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA)
2012 || Advanced Diamond Grading, Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA)
2012 || Practical Diamond Grading, Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA)
2010 || Diploma of Gemmology, Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA)
