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Back to Nature

The main talking point for jewellery 2020? Sustainable fashion.  From necklaces, rings, bracelets to ear cuffs, the use of humble materials were leading the way to align with the world's movement towards a sustainable future. As more and more consumers become aware of the effects of over-reliance on fast fashion, the more tuned in designers are becoming on the importance of embedding sustainable fashion materials throughout their designs.  One way designers are playing with sustainable design is simply doing more with less! Infusing creativity with resourcefulness will see many-a collections tuning down the extra details and refined features and simply utilising

Bernhard Schobinger: After Nature

Bernhard Schobinger: After Nature "So, when the optic nerve tears, in the still of the air all turns as white as the snow of the Alps". - W.G Sebald "After Nature", 1988 In figurative art, to paint after nature is the opposite of “imitating art”, with its idealization of reality. The works in this exhibition of recent jewellery by Bernhard Schobinger evince the natural world through a communality of means; rather than “imitating nature” they assimilate the human creative process to that of nature, with its perfect, sophisticated and senseless accidents. The contrast between the polished angular surfaces and rough

The Nature of Silver exhibition at Goldsmiths' Fair

The Nature of Silver exhibition at Goldsmiths' Fair Exhibition of silver treasures from the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection puts the spotlight on innovative historic and contemporary silver inspired by nature. The annual Goldsmith’s Fair is the premier selling exhibition for the latest in fine jewellery and contemporary silver from the best goldsmiths and silversmiths across the UK. This year, Dora Thornton, Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, has delved into the collection to create a fascinating special exhibition of rarely seen historic and contemporary silver inspired by nature.  These unique treasures (not for sale) share organic and natural origins and challenge

Meet the Maker - From nature to artifice in Art Jewellery

Hortus Conclusus - Donna Brennan Contemporary Applied Arts Working with stones, minerals, gold and silver, my work explores the dichotomy between nature and artifice… transporting stones and minerals from the realm of nature into the realm of culture. Donna Brennan is a fine art jeweller who has adopted a cross-disciplinary approach to photography and sculptural jewellery, crafting a narrative from image to object which blurs the dichotomy between fine art and applied art. Derived from the Latin term for ‘enclosed garden’, Hortus Conclusus is a series of wearable sculptural art pieces, crafted from a mélange of minerals, stones, gold, bronze

News Edit: 9 November 2024

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... Designer Francesca Amfitheatrof Readly reports: The trailblazing artistic director has revolutionised… readly.com Chaumet’s New Exhibition in Doha Showcases Centuries of Nature-Inspired Jewelry Vogue reports: From its launch 244 years ago, haute jewelry maison Chaumethas been inextricably linked to the effortless harmony and delicate details found in nature, from the beat of a butterfly’s wings to the shimmering elegance of pearls. en.vogue.me Six trends shaping the jewellery industry now Vogue Business reports: The jewellery sector is bucking luxury’s downturn, thanks to investment value, innovation and a stronger stance on social

Secret Garden Jewellery Box

A much-loved reference point for creative design and inspiration for interiors, tech to fashion and jewellery; it's hard not to pinpoint a designer who hasn't used the beautiful intricacies of nature to inspire a collection of artistry. Not only are their shapes, patterns, textures and sizes unique and different between creatures, plants, flora and fauna but so are the architectures around where they inhabit across the continent. To say there is a wealth of inspiration in nature would be an understatement! Beautiful incarnations of garden biodiversity are some of the most widely used within jewellery collections. Intricate, colourful and dainty floral

A pure white avant-garde ceramic jewelry by Raluca Buzura

Raluca Buzura found herself dialoguing with ceramic while expressing her visual interpretation of sculpting the nature writes Ilaria Ruggiero. She comes from the installation field and something very scenographic remains on her approach. The nature is her most important source of inspiration, as everything ranging in everyday life. Her work is a translation in porcelain of her personal experiences, trying to obliterate these traces during the process by simplifying the boundaries between real and abstract, in a swirl of textures and structures from which are foreseen flashes of gold. A mix of very different stylistic contributions merged together allows her to

Playing with Pantone Colour of the Year: Living Coral

It's no new secret that this year's Pantone Colour of 2019 is full of warmth, nourishment and delicately captivating.​ Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral emits the gorgeously natural and energising found in nature and it seems that jewellery designers alike have been swayed by its mesmerising charm. Coral blushed pieces have been spotted amongst the Spring/Summer collections giving a nod towards the playful and expressive elements of nature. Laced into designs of under the seas inspired pieces, taking centre stage as a colourful juxtaposition to sleek metal fastenings and a beautiful compliment to the warm of rose gold, coral is the colour

Hortus Conclusus - Donna Brennan

Hortus Conclusus - Donna Brennan Contemporary Applied Arts Working with stones, minerals, gold and silver, my work explores the dichotomy between nature and artifice… transporting stones and minerals from the realm of nature into the realm of culture. Donna Brennan is a fine art jeweller who has adopted a cross-disciplinary approach to photography and sculptural jewellery, crafting a narrative from image to object which blurs the dichotomy between fine art and applied art. Derived from the Latin term for ‘enclosed garden’, Hortus Conclusus is a series of wearable sculptural art pieces, crafted from a mélange of minerals, stones, gold, bronze

Flavia Amadeu X :In-Residence

Flavia Amadeu X :In-Residence :IN-RESIDENCE are proud to host Brazilian jewellery designer Flavia Amadeu in store on Friday 20 April 2018 from 17:00 to 20:00 for an exclusive preview of her work prior to her participation in the V&As Fashioned from Nature exhibition which opens to the public on Saturday 21 April 2018.  This is the first exhibition of its kind to explore the complex relationship between fashion and nature from 1600 to the present day.  Flavia will be available to discuss her work and her passion for sustainability within the fashion industry. Flavia Amadeu is a Brazilian jewellery, fashion,

News Briefing: 27 April 2025

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... Nature sets the pace for Alex Monroe’s first sculpture exhibition Tianna Williams, 23 April 2024 for Wallpaper: The British designer hops from jewellery to sculpture for his new exhibition at the Garden Museum, London. Here, he tells us why nature should be at the forefront of design. www.wallpaper.com From Valenza to Rome: Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin maps out global jewellery expansion Dominique Muret, Translated by Nazia Bibi Keenoo, 22 April 2025 for Fashion Network: Nothing seems to slow down Bulgari's chief executive, Jean-Christophe Babin, who has just assumed leadership

Cloudy - Mah Rana

Gallery S O is very pleased to announce a solo exhibition of new work by jewellery artist Mah Rana. The brooches on display are a visual and material exploration on the theme of clouds, and the transient nature of our moods and perceptions. The show will also include a film concerned with the personal connections to the jewellery we wear, edited by Andreea Bogdan. The film is part of a Meanings and Attachments commission by the Crafts Council for the Acts of Making Festival in 2015. Meanings and Attachments (2002- ongoing) is a worldwide series of public-participation events that so

The Enchanting Return of Ebony

Prized for its heartwood and beautifully smooth finish on fine furniture and accessories, black Ebony is one of the most expensive and valuable types of wood found in the world. Like most wonders of nature, no two pieces of Ebony Blackwood are alike due to the difference in location and species of heartwood for it to thrive. With Black Ebony increasingly becoming a rarity in discovery, poaching of this fine material has greatly increased due to its value. The darker the wood, the more valuable the piece of Ebony becomes due to being classed as more "pure" and showcasing the

Dendritic Beauty: Still Life In A Stone

As autumn steps up a gear, nature explodes into a fiery mass of natural beauty with not only a sea of leaves amongst our feet but leaves falling into the trends cupboards of the design industry. Welcome to the world of dendritic stone. Within gemmology, agate is an umbrella term for a variety of banded Chalcedony; a mineral belonging to the Quartz family. Whilst not strictly classified as an agate as it is not banded, dendritic agate, also known as tree agate is itself a quartz, displaying a opaque and milky finish. Comparatively, dendritic quartz displays more of a shimmery

News Edit: 24 November 2024

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... Style Edit: Van Cleef & Arpels unveils 4 stunning Rose de Noël pieces in celebration of the holiday season, from pendants to earrings in eye-catching combinations and sporting floral motifs SCMP reports: The intricate designs, including grey mother-of-pearl and vibrant turquoise gemstones set in gold, are inspired by winter flowers and dedicated to the beauty of nature. www.scmp.com Independent jewellers realise potential of physical stores FT reports: A shift in focus from ecommerce is in response to demand from clients for a more personal, tactile experience. www.ft.com In honour

Paolo Marcolongo: A dialogue between glass and metals

Paolo Marcolongo is an artist with a unique and multifaceted inspiration, and one of the significant representatives of the  Scuola Orafa Padovana writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Paolo Marcolongo is an artist with a unique and multifaceted inspiration, and one of the significant representatives of the  Scuola Orafa Padovana . In his jewellery all the complexities of the numerous sculptural, artistic, philosophical and aesthetic references that characterize his creative evolution find a compendium and perfect balance. Nature blossoms in both its sensuality and danger, on the one hand expressed by precious metals which are at times stinging, sharp, edgy, thorny, on the other

Oh I do like to be by the seaside!

Blazing sunshine, warm tropical breezes and a national shortage of fruity ciders on the supermarket shelves can only mean one thing...Britain has been hit with a wave of unusual summer weather! With temperatures rising to record highs, it's not just nature that is throwing it back to fonder days, old school jewellery has also made a welcome comeback for the second summer running. Last Spring, preteen jewellery of cowrie shells and pukka shell bracelets dominated the must-have list of accessories and this year, it's back - only bigger, better and juicier than ever! It appears that every designer has jumped

Tweet

Tweet 16th March - 22nd June 2019 The Craft Centre & Design Gallery, Leeds, West Yorkshire Makers inspired by the beauty of birds come together in this remarkable display of jewellery, ceramics, stone, wood and works in mixed media.  Each maker translates their inspirations into unique handmade creations for you to own or admire. Jewellery Sally Ayling Sally’s jewellery is inspired by nature, in particular birds.  The graphic images from field-guide books and wildlife illustrations, ordinance survey maps, charming old packaging, classic industrial design and many other bits and pieces Sally sees on her travels.  Sally enjoys using unconventional materials

Chaumet’s new ‘Garden of Earthly Delights’

The maison’s latest pieces celebrate nature in all its forms writes Jodie Smith. The French maison was founded in 1780, in Paris, and its prestige was quickly certified when they became the official jeweller to Empress Josephine. In the 235 year history of the brand, Chaumet has been faithful to its natural inspiration, with numerous iterations of this theme. In this new series of pieces, Chaumet celebrates flora and fauna with a whole host of jewellery designs, including captivating brooches and cocktail rings which are perfect for occasionwear. These latest jewels vary wildly between the traditional, vintage style brooches of the

Jewellery Illustration Workshop with Elena Shkvarkina

  Jewellery Illustration Workshop with Elena Shkvarkina K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery 2-day Workshop 21-22 May 2022 This course is designed to challenge your creative thinking and enhance your jewellery practise with new artistic expression. About the course Palimpsest Ink Drawing is the art of superimposed ink layers.  Elena Shkvarkina developed this technique searching for an art practice that would allow experimentation beyond traditional art aesthetics, and encourage self-expression regardless of skills or prior painting experience.  Thanks to its experimental nature, Palimpsest Ink Drawing welcomes improvisation and miss-marking. The layered application creates a memoir of your drawing where you can

Beppe Kessler: Plenty of Nothing

The Galerie Rob Koudijs hosts a solo show by Beppe Kessler, as poetic as it is unique. In fact, in this latest work Beppe Kessler explores the so-called natural phenomenon  spring snow,  typical of Amsterdam, where the artist lives writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Through her language, she stages a wunderkammer in which the wonder of nature becomes art, and life turns into eternity. To a certain extent, the ancient Wunderkammer can be considered as the first stage of the development of the concept of museum. Historically,  Naturalia and Artificialia  have been those objects with particular or wonderful characteristics that have aroused

When digital meets craft: An open view by Chiara Scarpitti

Chiara Scarpitti is an Italian multidisciplinary artist and designer specializing in contemporary jewelry. Her research investigates different aspects of the contemporary material culture, exploring technology through a humanistic approach. She is one of the few designers able to perfectly synthesize the historical dimension of research, through the eyes of the present, projecting it directly to the future, thanks to the ability of balancing technique, narrative and vision. Through her work, the tradition finds a new identity, thanks to aesthetic and technical innovation. In Chiara’s pieces emerges, perfectly balanced, a collection of suggestions from different narrations and imaginaries. Nature, in its

Playful Elegance

Anne Manns has a special fondness for creating jewels to decorate the ears. Her earrings, inspired by nature and especially by vegetables such as peas and aubergines, are characterised by a very clean, bright and warm design, able to climb up the skin with a unique lightness and portability writes Ilaria Ruggiero. An elegant touch characterises her creations, that are developed for one of the most sensual and feminine parts of the body.  Not only elegance and brightness, but also irony, playfulness and freshness. Using vegetables as a source of inspiration allows her to always maintain a language which is mobile, down-to-earth earth and everyday.

Micro scenery and architectural influences

The urban landscape and the nature have always been inspiring for artists and creative minds. The surrounding as well as the atmosphere, sounds and shapes, are meant as muses also for those working in the micro-sculpture and jewelry field. With different styles and background Jill Herlands, Nicole Schuster, Martacarmela Sotelo and Zeta Tsermou work by constructing and merging precious and non-preciouses metals, by creating small masterpieces ranging from minimalism to the superstructure of architecture, and where the raw elegance of industrial and urban suggestions finds expression.   Jill Herlands Photo Credit: Jill Herlands Jill Herlands is based in Hell’s Kitchen, New

Fei Liu to Launch 'Rayon de Miel': A Collection As Sweet As Honey

Internationally acclaimed jewellery designer Fei Liu is set to captivate the trade industry with the launch of his latest fine jewellery collection,  Rayon de Miel . Scheduled for unveiling to retailer partners in September 2024, this exquisite collection draws inspiration from the intricate geometry of honeycombs, merging innovation with nature's elegance. Rayon de Miel  showcases an array of gold designs, each meticulously crafted to highlight an extraordinary hexagon-cut laboratory-grown diamond. These diamonds, nestled within bezel honeycomb settings, embody the blend of modernity and artistry that Fei Liu is celebrated for. The collection is available in 9ct white gold, yellow gold,

Welcome to The Spring Garden Party

What would Spring be without the excitement of fresh blooms and buds poking their heads through making our weekend walks vibrant and pretty? Well, it looks like this season, designers are taking the excitement of nature and putting it right at the very heart of their runway designs. Flowers of all shapes, sizes, colours and textures were in abundance across the runways, adorning the models like draped vines of wild garden bundles. From small, delicate and dainty blossom to bold and dramatic oversized fauna, there's a take on this spring garden trend to meet the style and personality of everyone.

The Uncivilised Creative

Bea Ramsay and Change in Nature have just launched The Uncivilised Creative - a four-day wilderness retreat for creative professionals looking for an inspiring and refreshing sabbatical to reconnect with their creative thread. This retreat is an antidote to the fast pace of modern life and the pressures of being a professional creative. It offers a precious chance to quieten busy heads and remember how it feels for the hours to pass like minutes, lost in creative flow. Who are Bea and ChangeinNature.org? As ‘Alex Ramsay’ Bea ran a successful silversmithing studio in London for 12 years – exhibiting her

Noordeman and Wright: Audiowear

Noordeman and Wright: Audiowear Sonic Arcade: Shaping Space with Sound  is a multi-component exhibition featuring interactive installations, immersive environments, and performing objects that explore how the ephemeral and abstract nature of sound is made material. At a time when so much visual information is being dispatched, consumed, and digested, the auditory provides a compelling sensory experience that is capable of reorienting the body to consider spatial and interpersonal relationships anew. Comprised of linked solo and curated projects,  Sonic Arcade  explores sound as substance, framing it as interdependent material that is physically crafted and transmitted through electronic circuits and signals, radio

De Vroomen: Harmony in Colour and Form

De Vroomen: Harmony in Colour and Form The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to present  De Vroomen: Harmony in Colour and Form,  a celebration of five decades of artistic collaboration between renowned husband and wife team, Dutch goldsmith Leo de Vroomen and British jewellery designer and artist Ginnie de Vroomen. The showcase brings together over 100 pieces of De Vroomen jewels, sketches reflecting the creative process, as well as Ginnie’s vivid paintings inspired by nature and the urban landscape. In essence, bold, sophisticated jewellery with flowing lines is placed in conversation with polychromatic abstract art.  When Leo and Ginnie started working together in the early 70s, they developed

Stylish Aromatherapy at your fingertips

With a world focused on revolutionising health, wellbeing and lifestyle antidotes, it was only a matter of time before our strive for balanced health was intermingled with the jewels we wear. Carefully designed to enjoy the benefits of wellbeing remedies whilst still remaining sleek, chic and elegant, aromatherapy jewellery is taking the spotlight in innovative creativity. Niche Jewellery designers are tapping into the growing trend of therapeutic jewellery that combines the healing properties of gemstones and essential oils. It is thought that elements from nature can help realign our vibrational energies to help aid healing of health, chakras and energy

London Design Fair - Old Truman Brewery, London

The 10th anniversary of the London Design Fair runs from 22 – 25 September 2016. This year sees the addition of an amazing new 3rd floor, with country pavilions, features and exhibitions including: 100% Norway, China Academy of Art, British Craft Pavilion, Design in South Italy, Design Prize Switzerland, Form & Seek, Inspiring Portugal, Liu Malmsten & Swedish Wood, Nature Lab, Nordic Design Collective, Scotland: Craft and Design, Swedish Design Pavilion, Takram, The Publishing House (Flea Folly), The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, This Is India & Trentino Collaborations Not to mention over 450 independent designers & studios and

Dancing with Danger

Donald Duck and Tintin might struggle to compete with nature or music as mainstream sources of artistic inspiration but for Max Danger,  comic strip characters have sparked a stream of ideas and helped shape a notable career. Comics were everywhere when Danger was growing up at home in Copenhagen, Denmark because his father worked as an illustrator. Danger followed the comic strips avidly rather than read books though he did make an exception for books about science, especially if they featured retro robots from the 1950s. Years later, those two influences continue to loom large in his work with illustrations forming

BRON - Ruudt Peters

Bron - Ruudt Peters Retrospective A  BRON  (source) is a beginning, a starting point. Different ‘things’ are bubbling up and coming out of sources, both literally as well as figuratively. In SOURCE, the retrospective exhibition of Ruudt Peters, the sources of his work are the main focus. Peters shares in this exhibition not only his work, but also what inspires him at the deepest level. Alchemy, nature, the human body, beauty, the subconscious, intuition, spirituality and sexuality; everything has been a source of inspiration and was the beginning of a quest for Peters. His starting point is his curiosity in the

Trend Tease: Tap Into Talisman

With Summertime freedom and tropical holiday escapes teasing us in full flight it seems that it's not just our passports that are itching for some ethnic travel of wanderlust curiosity but our jewellery boxes too  !  Travelling vibes and energy across enchanting influences like Tibetan traditions, Indian legend and Egyptian folklore have been encapsulated and woven within the delicate motifs and intricate craftsmanship of this New Season nod to Talismanic design. Such pieces are symbolic of the beautiful cyclic nature of life and messages of enchanting mythology to connect the wearer with the spiritual energies of their chakras and the

Greenery: The Colour Set to Revive, Refresh, Renew

Welcome to the fresh and zesty world of Greenery15-0343, the Pantone colour blooming into 2017! Greenery is natures' authentic omnipresent hue of thriving; emblematic for vitality and the need to strip back to our organic state of being. After suffering a turbulent political and social upheaval throughout most of 2016, this yellow-green shade symbolises a need to reconnect to nature and a more grounded sense of purpose.  In a world monopolised by social media and technology, 'Greenery' reminds us of noticing the real truth and beauty in the natural aesthetics around us; a sense of escapism from our materialistic society and

Dial Into Botanical Beauties of Time

With Spring well & truly sprung and scandalous summer getting ready to sashay onto the scene, it's time to work some bodacious blooms and fiery florals into your new season look.  With Greenery hailed as the trans-seasonal Pantone colour of the year, this fresh and zesty hue of vitality has been dominating the trend forecasts and has now clocked onto our wrist-wear adornments. The beauty of nature is emblematic throughout this botanical theme in watchmaking with themes of escapism, urban revival and restorative wellbeing captured through the floral studded craftsmanship.  Flora and fauna have blossomed their way into our Springtime-wrist

Ethical Gem Fair Tucson 2025

Ethical Gem Fair Tucson 1 - 4 February 2025 Tucson, USA 9am till 6pm daily The Destination for Responsibly Sourced Gemstones from around the World A collaborative partnership of leading responsibly sourced gemstone suppliers Ian Bone/Heather Blake (Capricorn Gems), Stuart Pool (Nineteen48/Moyo Gems), Monica Stephenson (ANZA Gems/Moyo Gems), Jay Moncada (Perpetuum Jewels), Brian Cook/Quendi Cook (Nature's Geometry/Quore), Hewan Zewdi (Agere Treasures), Eric Braunwart/Natasha Braunwart (Columbia Gem House) and Susan Wheeler/Jessica Hudson (Virtu Gems) will gather in Tucson from the 1st to the 4th February 2025 tucsongemshow101.com/ethical-gem-fair

Galerie Marzee - Summer Exhibitions

Galerie Marzee Exhibitions: Lisa Walker, Eva Jünger, Margit Jäschke & Pedro Sequeira From 26 May 2024 Nijmegen, Netherlands Galerie Marzee opens three new exhibitions: Lisa Walker (NZ), Eva Jünger (D), Margit Jäschke (D) and Pedro Sequeira (PT) Lisa Walker and Eva Jünger Iconoclastic, intuitive and impetuous, Lisa Walker challenges traditional notions about jewellery and questions what it is and what it can be. With an open yet rigorous approach, she works with found objects, precious materials, abandoned bits and bobs, combining and transforming them to create jewellery that questions its very nature, reconsiders its own answers and explores relationships to