Search Results

Farnham Crafts Month

Farnham Craft Month 1 - 31 October 2019 Farnahm, Surrey Craft Month Full of Hidden Treasure Makers and craft organisations across Farnham - which was designated as England’s Craft Town in 2013 - are getting set for a month of craft festivities. Each October, Farnham hosts a celebration of craft with hundreds of opportunities to get involved with events featuring countless makers, pieces, organisations and venues, throughout the town. This is your chance to see makers in action; take a craft walk; get making and buy work from local designer makers. Farnham Craft Month celebrations have been growing steadily each

MASTERY. Women in Silver

MASTERY. Women in Silver Ruthin Craft Centre 24 July – 18 September 2021 This is the first exhibition to focus on the UK’s exceptionally talented contemporary women designer silversmiths. Fifty years ago, it would have been impossible to assemble an exhibition like this, as there were so few women working in the field. What was once a totally male discipline has been transformed within three generations. The Mastery exhibitors represent a large cohort of women working at the highest level of silversmithing and include long-established and mid-career artists alongside some emerging makers of exceptional promise. The work itself was chosen

International Women's Day Event

International Women's Day Event National Design and Craft Gallery Friday 8 March 1pm - 4pm Celebrate International Women's Day at the National Design and Craft Gallery. Join us for crafternoon tea treats, chats and tote bag screen printing to mark the occasion. All are welcome to drop in between 1pm - 4pm. For group bookings please email events@ndcg.ie to confirm your time of arrival. FREE event. International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women's Day

International Women's Day 2017

IWD 2017 #BeBoldForChange For International Women's Day 2017, we're asking you to #BeBoldForChange . Call on the masses or call on yourself to help forge a better working world - a more gender inclusive world. Submit your #BeBoldForChange action via the IWD website. International Women's Day Last year, organizations and individuals around the world supported the #PledgeForParity campaign and committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions; challenge conscious and unconscious bias; call for gender-balanced leadership; value women and men's contributions equally; and create inclusive flexible cultures. From awareness raising to concrete action, organizations rallied their people to pledge

Our history

Just over a decade ago, the UK jewellery industry was lacking accessible information. Organisations in the trade were keeping themselves to themselves, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments. In 2006 we founded Benchpeg, and launched the first digital newsletter for the jewellery industry and allied trades aimed at promoting information from across the trade and bridging the gap of information out there and accessibility to it. Today we support the jeweller by assisting with recruitment needs, sharing the latest news stories and promoting business opportunities. Our website and newsletter has a national

page history

100 Jewels by 100 Women

100 Jewels by 100 Women 2 nd - 27 th June 2021 Double Door Studios’, 7 Ward Road, Dundee, DD1 1LP This June, the residents of Dundee City Centre’s Double Door Studios will hold an exhibition named ‘100 Jewels by 100 Women’, celebrating the achievements of craftswomen in our society. The exhibition will feature one item of jewellery from each of the one hundred invited artists; women who have lived, studied and/or worked in Dundee during their careers. Among the broad list of participants can be found many of Duncan of Jordanstone's tutors and alumni from over three decades. From

A History of Coronation Dress and Jewels

Talk: Ceremony And Splendour A History Of Coronation Dress And Jewels Clothworrkes’ Hall, London Monday, 6th March 2023 The Creative Dimension Trust (TCDT) will host a talk on coronations in the elegant surroundings of Clothworrkes’ Hall on Monday 6th March, with Caroline de Guitaut, Deputy Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art 100% of the proceeds will go towards TCDT's fully funded workshops, taught by craft specialists, for 14-19-year-olds who wish to develop their hand skills. Focussing on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the lecture will explore the origins, design and evolution of Coronation dress and jewels – from richly embroidered fashionable

A History of London Jewellers and Jewellery

The UK’s capital city is renowned for many things, but nothing more so than it’s proud history and ancient traditions, many of which are still practiced to this day. Therefore, it’s really no surprise to discover that in this rich environment, London jewellers design and produce engagement rings, necklaces, brooches and earrings that boast an almost unrivalled historical pedigree. Rebecca Smyth from bespoke jewellers Taylor and Hart, takes us through the journey..... Harness the Past for the Designs of the Future At Taylor & Hart, our designers use London’s past as an unlimited source of inspiration – adopting, embellishing and reinterpreting motifs

International Women's Day and the Jewellery Industry

As the United Nations mark International Women's Day 2024, the theme this year was ' Invest in women: Accelerate progress'. "Achieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet. However, we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030. Join us on March 8, 2024, for International Women’s Day under the theme 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress '" - United Nations Celebrating International Women’s Day provides the opportunity to delve into the fugures relating

Women's Jewellery Network - Birmingham Event

Women's Jewellery Network - Birmingham Event The Women's Jewellery Network is pleased to confirm a Birmingham sister event to the launch in London taking place at the same time on International Women's Day , 8th March 2018. Attendees will hear from the following speakers, at this event, kindly hosted by the team at AnchorCert Acdemy , part of the AnchorCert Group : UK’s first female Assay Master and former Cookson Precious Metals CEO, Stella Layton Company of Master Jeweller’s Executive Director of Business Development & Marketing, Lucy Reece-Raybould A panel discussion will focus on the folllowing topic: What changes need to be

Women’s Work: Pioneering Women in Craft, 1918 – 1939

Women’s Work: Pioneering Women in Craft, 1918 – 1939 Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, Sussex 4 May – 6 October 2019 This Spring, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft will present a major new exhibition on the work of craftswomen who turned their practices into successful businesses between the two World Wars. Women’s Work will focus on pieces made by textile artists, weavers, ceramicists and silversmiths, many of whom were informed by their experiences traveling during the First World War. Often overshadowed by their male counterparts, these pioneering women achieved success by looking to past techniques to create contemporary

Women’s Jewellery Network to Launch at IJL

Women’s Jewellery Network to Launch at IJL The Women’s Jewellery Network (WJN), a new organisation designed to connect, grow and inspire women in the industry, will make its debut at International Jewellery London (IJL) in September. The WJN aims to create a UK-wide network of women working across all sectors of the UK jewellery and watch trades, providing career advice and business networking opportunities. It will launch as a membership platform with access to online support and resources, strengthened with seasonal meet-ups and events to connect women with their peers in the trade. While the full concept will be unveiled

Diana Porter Jewellery Celebrates 25 Years

This month award winning jeweller, UK Jewellery Designer of the year 1999, Diana Porter is celebrating her 25 th year as a designer maker. To mark this special anniversary, she is launching a range of new Sibyls to add to her popular original collection. Diana focused her time at college on inequality within the arts. She researched ancient images of strong women and these stylised women pendants, which she called Sibyls developed from this. Her degree work was about women and empowerment and she designed the Sibyls with words to give the wearer something positive to focus on. The 21

On The Rocks: The Statement Cocktail Ring Soaked in History

As the temperatures outside begin to wind and cool down, the autumnal season trends are heating up to bolstering attention and flamboyant glamour. New season forecasting ushers in a new era of historical jewellery revival; a statement jewel like none other - the striking Cocktail ring. Dramatic, eye-catching and somewhat ostentatious, the cocktail ring is the epitome of excess which first found a name for itself as a symbol of independence and rebellion against the Prohibition over a century ago. A bygone era, 1920s America was a time of tension and excess between deep rooted morals of the world war

Golden Eyes: A Brief History Of Decorative Understanding @ K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery

Golden Eyes: A Brief History Of Decorative Understanding Lecture By Alex Estorick at K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery Cockpit Arts, London 26th February 2020 / 6:30 - 8:30pm For centuries, decorative arts have been considered separately from fine art, with museums continuing to display functional, ‘applied‘ arts apart from those of primarily aesthetic consideration. Yet art‘s contemporary meaning has always depended on its decorative appearance. Proof of this lies in the almost uncanny similarity between the language employed in the 9th century to discuss Byzantine mosaics and that used to explain modernist paintings in the 20th. This talk seeks to come

Appointment: Victoria Waugh Announced as Women’s Jewellery Network First Ethics and Sustainability Ambassador

The Women’s Jewellery Network, the UK’s only dedicated organisation supporting women working in the UK jewellery industry, today announces Victoria Waugh as its first UK Ambassador for Ethics and Sustainability. Waugh has more than 15 years’ business development experience across the clothing, jewellery and accessory sectors, plus leading the Fairtrade Foundation's work to launch Fairtrade gold, bringing a wealth of commercial expertise and knowledge of sustainable and ethical practices to the WJN and its members. Waugh joins four existing WJN regional Ambassadors in a role that will provide support and direction for WJN members wishing to know more about ethical

Resin Jewellery: Techniques & Projects Inspired by the History of Art, Craft and Jewellery

Appointment: Dr Timothy Schroder makes history being elected Prime Warden for second term

The Goldsmiths’ Company has announced that Dr Timothy Schroder has been elected Prime Warden. Dr Schroder, who previously served in the role during 2015-16, is the first member of the Goldsmiths’ Company to be appointed Prime Warden for a second term since 1951, when Walter Godfrey Allen served two consecutive years. Timothy Schroder was born in 1953 and educated in Oxford, where he attended St Edward’s School and Christ Church at Oxford University. At Christ Church he read philosophy and theology, before going on to specialise in the decorative arts, completing a Diploma at the Study Centre for the History

Amethyst Crush for February Birth Babies

One of the most revered stones for centuries, amethyst crystal is one of the most treasured variety of quartz. With its stunning tones of violet-purple and its rich history saturated with medieval lore and legendary powers, few crystals are as distinctive as arresting amethyst. Today, amethyst is classified as a semi-precious stone but throughout history, many ancients regarded it as a "Gem of Fire", worth as much in value and beauty as a diamond. Believed to carry energies of passion and fire, creativity and spirituality, amethyst has always been associated with the month of February and the Roman water-god, Neptune.

Head of David Fowkes Jewellery Climbs New Heights

Dr Rona Mackenzie, Chief Operating Officer of jewellery designer, David Fowkes, is to embark upon the challenge of a lifetime in order to support UK innovators in business. Rona has pledged to climb the highest points in each of the seven continents of the world, starting with Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, last month. All funds raised by Rona will support a new charity, D3, launched to help support businessmen and women in getting creative, innovative and dynamic projects off the ground. David Fowkes is generously supporting D3 through the creation of a unique, handmade piece of jewellery

Brilliant Effects: A Cultural History of Gem Stones and Jewellery (Published for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art)

Jewellery Industry expert Karin Paynter speaks at BAFTA on campaign she co-created

This week jewellery industry expert Karin Paynter saw the ERA 50:50 campaign which she co-created, backed by thousands of supporters including Emma Thompson, Olivia Colman and Lena Headey, bring together 200 of the most powerful names in the entertainment industry in one room and called on them to change the way women are represented on stage and screen. Currently, whilst women make up 51% of the population, there are 2 men for every 1 woman across film, television and theatre. Even in crowd scenes, men vastly outnumber women by more than 4 to 1. In fact, there are proportionately fewer

On the Line: Perspectives on Craft in Southeast Asia

On the Line: Perspectives on craft in Southeast Asia The Aram Gallery will host On the Line , a British Council exhibition exploring craft through the practices of women in Southeast Asia. The show’s opening coincides with London Craft Week (3-7 May 2017). On the Line seeks to question the sustainability of craft in Southeast Asia in the context of increasing globalisation. It offers a range of insights into the lives and cultures of women working in this sector today. Curated by Martina Margetts and designed by Mentsen, the exhibition features impressions and unique materials collected by Royal College of Art

PRESS RELEASE: Annoushka The Podcast – Life in Charms Series 5 Out Now

Featuring Lucinda Chambers , Clodagh Mckenna and Vanessa Kingori. British jewellery designer Annoushka Ducas is excited to share the launch of Series 5 of her podcast, Life in Charms. This season features a lineup of remarkable women, each sharing pivotal moments from their lives. Guests include Lucinda Chambers, Vanessa Kingori, Clare Hornby, Clare Smyth, Nicola Clarke, Georgie Coleridge-Cole and Clodagh McKenna. Inviting notable women to reflect on milestones in their lives, each represented as a bespoke charm designed by Annoushka. The conversation unfolds as guests share stories of their achievements, challenges, and the experiences that have shaped their journeys. At

Morley & ACJ Jewellery Lecture Series: A Woman’s Work Is Never Done by Joanne Haywood

Morley & ACJ Jewellery Lecture Series: A Woman’s Work Is Never Done by Joanne Haywood Designed and created by Joanne Haywood , ‘A Woman’s Work is Never Done’ is a series of twenty-one jewellery works made for fifteen trailblazing women. Come and hear about the materials and techniques used to make these mixed media jewels, as well as the pioneering women that inspired them. Joanne Haywood is a leading art jeweller, writer and educator. She has worked and exhibited in the UK and internationally. She holds a BA(hons) in Jewellery Design from Central Saint Martins and is recognised for her individual voice

Need for flexible working may underpin gender pay gap

A desire for flexible working arrangements and a reluctance to relocate for more senior roles were the reasons behind a gender pay gap in the jewellery retail industry that was higher than the national average, research has shown. Pay differentials between men and women for equal jobs ranged from 2% higher at Links of London to 91.6% lower at Pandora, where women effectively have been earning 28p for every £1 earned by a man. But the data, collected and collated by the Government’s Gender Pay Gap Service, did not take into consideration the proportion of store employees who make up

Trustees of the South House Workshop Trust Announce 2025 Scholars

The Trustees of the South House Workshop Trust are delighted to announce ELEVEN fully-funded silversmithing graduate scholarships for 2025. These residential scholarships are being made available to accelerate the professional careers of promising silversmiths. Each scholarship is for a period of one month or two months, learning a variety of silversmithing skills in an intensive residential placement either in Shetland or Sheffield with master silversmiths Rod Kelly, Brett Payne and Chris Perry. The scholarships include the cost of tuition, travel, accommodation and a subsistence bursary. Each one month scholarship has a value of £5250.00. The training will cover in detail:

Appointment: Geena Tok leaves Nike to head up Pandora China business

Pandora has recruited Geena Tok from Nike to head its business in China, where the Danish company has been challenged by a rise in sales on the grey market. Pandora has 200 stores and employs more than 1,400 people in China but has said it needs to counter China's grey market, where increasing numbers of jewellery pieces are imported from other markets and sold online. Last month Pandora, the world's largest jewellery maker by production volume, said it would lower retail prices in the country by an average of 15 percent. Chinese resident Tok joins Pandora next month, having spent

Kaleidoscopic October Birthstones: Opal & Tourmaline

Happy Birthday to the October Librans & Scorpios! You lucky devils have been gifted with two beautiful birthstones to mark the month of Autumnal change and new beginnings. Both Opal and Tourmaline are as transient, adaptable and changeable like the month of October which makes them perfect to suit the plethora of different personalities and tastes out there. Legend has it that both gemstones have made their journeys's to this Earth through rainbows which is represented through the myriad of rainbow shades, colours combinations and reflections that each stone showcases. With Opal and Tourmaline, the dancing light and tonal patterns

Garnet for Those January Birth Babies

With the start of a new year and a new month puts one of the most beautiful birthstones in the gemstone limelight. For those of you who are lucky enough to be born in the month of January, you are gifted with the kaleidoscopic birthstone of garnet. Garnet is a term used to describe a group of closely related silicate minerals which together produce a painter's palette variety of colour. Even today, garnet remains to be the one mineral that displays the largest variety of colour, making it a popular choice across the jewellery industry. 'Garnet' comes from the Middle

The Goldsmiths’ Centre collaborates with London Museum to Showcase Emerging Jewellery Designers

London Museum is showcasing UK handmade jewellery by emerging designer-makers in an exciting collaboration with the Goldsmiths’ Centre. This joint retail project, piloted by the Goldsmiths’ Centre on behalf of the Goldsmiths' Company and Charity, will be available at London Museum Docklands, showcasing pieces that connect to the rich history of London, the River Thames, and stories of trade and migration told in the museum’s galleries. London Museum’s latest showcase features five jewellers and silversmiths whose designs blend history, technology, and culture with sustainable materials and modern techniques. Xinyi Chen, Suzanne Seed, Cara Lowe, Jo Boateng, and Caitlin Murphy present

November Birthstones: Topaz & Citrine

Those born in November are lucky enough to have two beautiful birthstones to choose from: topaz and citrine. Often mistaken for one another throughout history, these two sunny stones are the perfect way to warm up as the winter weather chills set in strong! Whilst both November birthstones are known for their calming energies and believed to bring good fortune to its wearer, these two gems each have their own unique set of qualities and characteristics that make them the perfect affordably priced gemstone for many a jewellery collections. Topaz Throughout much of history, topaz was the term once given to

Specially commissioned Cartier brooches for Lady Courtauld at Eltham Palace come to auction

Two stunning Cartier brooches specially-commissioned and designed for Lady Courtauld (1883-1973) and presented to her by her husband, Sir Stephen Courtauld (1883-1967), a member of the famous Courtauld textile family and younger brother of the founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art, are to head to auction at Dreweatts next month. The couple were known for their philanthropic endeavours and adventurous spirits, as well as their contributions to cultural and education causes, and their donations to organisations promoting racial equality. They met skiing in the Alps in 1919 and married in 1923, with Stephen describing Lady Courtauld as “the sun

May You Say It With Emeralds

Vivid, vibrant and the vivacious colour of May, Emerald in all its zesty rich hue celebrates the arrival of not only Summer soul adventures but the arrival of all those May babies out there. May has forever been known as the month that sits in the deep heart of Spring whilst teasing us with snippets of the sunny blue skies and mischief of Summer days. As the gemstone of Venus and fertility, Emerald is a stone of inspiration and aspiration by encouraging its wearer to live ad act authentically from the heart. A catalyst for the abundance of human emotions,

Suri Jewelry: Memories from Renaissance

The women painted by the great Venetian Masters wear jewelry and precious stones, fabrics from the East, embraced by smoky atmospheres of incense and fragrances writes Ilaria Ruggiero. Since childhood Giulia Vecchiato admired the jewels of the eccentric ladies who live in Venice, as they were amulets to access the past and ancient times. She started very little to build her own jewelry by assembling scrap metal found in her house, seals, scraps of fabrics mounted on curtains’ pendant. Growing up and studing traditional techniques of goldsmith, she started her own journey into the jewelry field, by developing a very

Diana Porter (1943– 2021)

Diana Porter award winning jewellery designer and champion of women’s rights, has died, aged 78. Claire Wheeler of Diana Porter Jewellery wirites about her friend and colleague. A prolific creative mind, she was not only renowned for her innovative design but creating work with integrity and honesty. She fought tirelessly to raise awareness and promote gender equality and became a leading light for women within the jewellery industry.  In 1990 Diana went to the University of Central England at the age of 47 to do a 3 year full time degree course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. Diana focused her time at

Simply brilliant, Artist-Jewellers of the 1960s and 1970s

Simply Brilliant Artist-Jewellers of the 1960s and 1970s In Cooperation with the Cincinnati Art Museum 27 March through 27 June 2021 Simply put, jewellery of the 1960s and '70s was revolutionary. If the 1950s were demure and controlled, the 1960s became an era of youthful rebellion and radical cultural change -and a new style of jewellery was part of that zeitgeist. Rock 'n' roll, the Vietnam War, the Kennedy assassinations, the civil rights and women's movements, the widespread use of hallucinogenic drugs, and the concept of free love are all associated with these tumultuous decades. From space-age plastic hoop earrings to the hippie's

The Goldsmiths’ Company appoints Jos Skeates to its Court of Assistants

The Goldsmiths’ Company has appointed Jos Skeates, founder and Managing Director of the award-winning jewellers E.C.One, to its Court of Assistants The Court of Assistants is equivalent to a non-executive board and has overall responsibility for the Company’s affairs. Assistants are elected from within the Company’s membership following a recruitment process focused on key skills and requirements. There are 26 Assistants on the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Court of Assistants, of which 27% are women and 73% men. On Friday 8 March 2024, The Goldsmiths’ Company announced the appointment of a new member of its Court of Assistants – Jos Skeates – who

Hampshire and Berkshire Guild of Craftsmen Show 2019

Hampshire and Berkshire Guild of Craftsmen Show 2019 9th & 10th November 2019 Stockbridge Town Hall, Hampshire The H&B Guild return to this spacious and interesting venue along the vibrant Stockbridge High Street. They will be joined by guest artists Jules Hogen (Designer Knitwear), Kathryn Greene (Textile Designer) and Reuben Goadby (Hand-carved Spoons in a range of unusual wood). Come along and meet the makers to gain insight into their skills and specialised techniques… The Guild is a group of craftsmen and women who have a common interest in maintaining the design and manufacturing skills required to produce the highest

Goldsmith / Jeweller (Flexible Working) - Full Time, Vashi, London

[youtube url=http://youtu.be/phPsnH6zZxg] The role Goldsmith / Jeweller (Flexible Working) Vashi London When our customers co-create a piece of jewellery, it’s our craftsmen and women who bring their ideas to life. Our customers have unrivalled access to their jewellery at every stage of creation, giving them the opportunity to play a key role in the design, casting, setting and polishing, and even letting them get hands-on, adding the finishing touches to their design while guided by you. This is your chance to partner with the customer throughout the process from casting grain to the finished article. All the while

Oxford Pioneers

Oxford Pioneers 10 November – 3 January 2019 Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Oxford Gallery by Joan Crossley-Holland MBE and Valerie Stewart. Oxford Pioneers: a new collaboration between Oxford Ceramics Gallery and Amanda Game that brings together works by 27 exceptional UK artists (principally in the field of ceramics) as a way of marking the pioneering work of Oxford Gallery (1968-2001). Oxford Gallery (1968-2001) is a story of pioneering women, and the intertwined worlds of artists and craftsmanship. It is also a story inextricably linked with the art of ceramics which catalysed its foundation; formed a

AJW 2019: Athens Jewelry Week 2019

For the fourth consecutive year, Athens Jewelry Week will open its doors at the end of May, with a renewed program, new collaborations and more energy than ever writes Ilaria Ruggiero. As often happens around jewelry festivals, institutional moments will complement an off program that will allow the rediscovery of the city for residents and not only. A new way of looking at the art and history of this ancient civilization, through the filter of the jewel that allows to open up to new meanings, experiences and stimulate the growth of a lively sector in Greece. The objective of this dynamic Athens

The Art of Brooches - L'École Van Cleef & Arpels

The history of brooches reflects the social and technical evolution of humanity. During Antiquity, some mysterious fibulae made with bronze spirals tell us that this object was perhaps firstly used to secure clothing. Subsequently, this utilitarian and functional aspect will be lost in favor of an ornamental role: decorated with precious stones, brooches will express the wealth and power of their wearers. As a military badge, a sign of love and devotion, an expression of personal opinions or simply worn for Glamor, the brooch is rich in many meanings which we invite you to study in this Talk. With a

University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art

Edinburgh College of Art ( ECA ) is an art, design, creative and performing arts school in Edinburgh, the oldest and largest in Scotland, providing higher education in art and design, architecture, history of art and music disciplines for over two thousand University of Edinburgh students. Undergraduate: Jewellery & Silversmithing – BA (Hons) www.eca.ed.ac.uk BA Jewellery & Silversmithing www.ed.ac.uk Postgraduate: Jewellery – MA www.ed.ac.uk

The Fabergé Visionnaire Chronograph Collection

The stars, and the time they measure, have seen many stories start and end. Some stories end abruptly. Others echo down the eons. Start your chronograph. #StartYourStory. Precisely 100 years after the start of the Russian Revolution, Fabergé unveils a chronograph of revolutionary significance in the horological cosmos and pays tribute to the unfinished Constellation Egg of 1917. The constellations of the universe allow us not only to look back into the history of the stars and galaxies, but also to measure accurately the time that has elapsed as our universe, and the story of humankind on Earth, continue to

Call for Applications: Shakti Design Residency

Call for Applications: Shakti Design Residency Apply now! The Shakti Design Residency in India Applications close on 30 June. The Shakti Design Residency is a first-of-its-kind, month-long programme that takes place in India from 1 to 30 November 2025. Residents are each paired with Indian ateliers to create collaborative new work. From a worldwide open call, five designers are selected - and later mentored - by an international jury of leading designers, curators, educators, gallerists and entrepreneurs. Now in its second year, the programme welcomes submissions from global designers who are actively engaged with material exploration and sustainable practices and

OBSESSED!

Over the month of November the biennial jewellery festival OBSESSED! will take place in various cities across the Netherlands writes Ilaria Ruggiero. OBSESSED! unites the best jewellery-related events – museum and gallery exhibitions, talks, fairs, book presentations and artist open studios – into one intriguing programme put together by Current Obsession . The second, 2019 edition of OBSESSED! Jewellery Festival brings together independent artists, galleries and cultural institutions from across the Netherlands in celebration of Jewellery. United. Jewellery. United. is a new paradigm in jewellery discourse. It broadens the scope of what is seen as jewellery in relation to other creative fields and

Surface Design Show 2020

Surface Design Show 2020 11 - 13 February 2020 Business Design Centre, London Leading architecture and design professionals gather at Surface Design Show each year to see, touch and feel surfaces from over 180 leading suppliers. Taking place next month, Surface Design Show is also a valuable opportunity for you to hear from industry experts in our dedicated speaker programme. The Main Stage is the heart of the Show and is designed to instigate debate and encourage knowledge sharing amongst visitors. Join us to discover insights and debates from an incredible line-up of industry experts and get your FREE ticket

Galactica - Jacqueline Cullen @ The Scottish Gallery

Galactica - Jacqueline Cullen The Scottish Gallery 29 June - 20 July 2019 It’s a coincidence that this month marks the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s Space Oddity and the Apollo 11 Moon landing - there is a also a space theme in the beautiful Galactica jewellery collection by Jacqueline Cullen. Her Whitby jet and black diamond jewellery is exquisite; offset by her work in grey agate. It really is out of this world! Jacqueline Cullen creates wearable, sculptural jewellery in 18ct gold featuring materials such as Whitby jet, black diamonds and agate. With diverse inspiration ranging from thunderous skies to

Designer Open House

Designer Open House FORGE represents independent designers whose work is unique, made in the UK and demonstrates excellence in skills and craftsmanship. We invite designers to showcase with us who share the same values. If you would like to showcase with us then visit us on Wednesday 17 May, 3pm-6pm to view our current showcase and to ask any questions. The FORGE Showcases is centred around a different theme each month and we are currently looking for designers for June. JUNE 1ST - 30TH: RECYCLED TREASURES Celebrating the beauty and creativity that arise from sustainable practices and highlighting the importance

Festival of Crafts

Festival of Crafts Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 October 2024 Farnham Maltings Discover beautiful, handcrafted designs from over 75 talented makers at festival of crafts, now in its 28th year. Well-established in the craft calendar and part of Farnham's October Craft Month, the event champions great design, craftsmanship and skill. With exhibitors hand-picked from across the UK, browse stalls showcasing a variety of media from textiles and print to homewares and jewellery. Enjoy meeting the makers and learn about the processes used in both traditional and modern techniques with our expert-led talks, drop-in craft activities and programme of bookable workshops.

Winter Market The Forge - Craft Central

Winter Market 16 – 17 November 2019 Craft Central, The Forge Winter Market at The Forge is Back! Christmas is coming to The Forge this month and we hope you will join us. We will bring together a selection of our talented designer-makers. On offer will be handmade ceramics, interior products, textiles, fashion accessories, jewellery, prints and much more. You will also be able to take part in a workshop or enjoy refreshments at our pop-up café run by Gu Choi Pan London, a micro-bakery serving authentic Japanese savoury and sweet breads and cakes. There is something for everyone

Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair Juine 2025

Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair 20-22 June 2025 Sport Central, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne We can't wait to see you at our debut Newcastle show next month. Over the weekend of 20-22 June, Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair will showcase over 100 makers and artists in the city for the very first time. Expect a stunning mix of contemporary craft, fine art and one-of-a-kind design pieces – all handpicked by an expert panel for their originality and quality. Whether you’re looking to commission a unique statement piece for your home, treat yourself to a special

Fringe with Benefits

As the sun slowly begins to grace us with glorious but brief glimpses of pimms-soaked summer days, the month of hay fever and allergies strike in full force. We've been bitten by the bug that's been making its rounds round the fashion houses and we're in dangerous territory of causing a major fringe movement on a global scale. Welcome to the new S/S 2018 trend of flamboyant fringing! Throwing it back to the glory days of flapper finesse, modern-day fine jewellery has transformed itself from low-key minimalism to XL swinging tassels of personality and style. With collections bursting with an

OROAREZZO 2020

OROAREZZO now moved to 2021 Italian Exhibition Group has decided to schedule the show only in 2021 The difficulties caused by the health crisis are persisting for the international markets, with harsh restrictions enforced by some foreign countries of reference and, above all, the uncertainty of regular flight connections from the coming month of July. Under these conditions, there is no guarantee that foreign buyers will be able to travel to Italy and Tuscany and holding Oroarezzo 2020 in the best circumstances cannot be ensured. IEG - Italian Exhibition Group, in conjunction with the sector’s manufacturing and association representatives, has therefore decided

Queer + Metals Exhibition

LGBTQ+ artists challenge metalwork’s macho image in new exhibition Friday 25 March to Sunday 3 April 2022 Hereford Artists from Birmingham City University’s renowned School of Jewellery are among the contributors to a new exhibition of metalwork this month, inspired by the lives and experiences of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) community. The Queer + Metals exhibition, which opens in Hereford this Friday 25 March is the first show of its kind to focus exclusively on the creations of LGBTQ+ metalwork artists. The free to attend exhibition forms part of the annual Ferrous Festival

Classifieds

Classifieds feature second-hand tools and equipment, bench space to rent, services offered and even established jewellery businesses for sale... Beware of scammers! Be sure that you are comfortable and safe with to whom you are communicating over email... How to submit a listing To submit a listing, please email classifieds@benchpeg.com with a title, description, cost, location, unlimited images and your full contact details. A classified listing includes approximately one month on the website and one week highlighted in the newsletter (10,000 subscribers). Full contact details are used for invoicing purposes only, only a name, phone number and/or email address will be used

Aquamarine: The Birthstone of March

Whilst traditionally there are two birthstones for those born in the month of March, it is Aquamarine that is most commonly hailed for its close embodiment to the ocean. Aquamarine's aquatic associations derive from its mesmerising crystalline blue hues which is only further reinforced through its Latin 'aqua marinus', translating to 'water of the sea'. The story behind Aquamarine Aquamarine is a blue-stone variety within the Beryl family and the colour variety seen in aquamarine from light, transparent shades to deep and rich earthy tones of the emerald family is caused by the presence of iron oxides within its chemical

Trends to Keep Watch of This Autumn

Hands up who's bored of waking up to nothing but rain, rain with a side of rain? Us too. As the seasonal calendar clicked over to a new month last week, it seems as if the weather Gods have also pulled the plug on any residual sunny heat leftover from summer, leaving us well and truly in the throes of a UK Autumn. For those of us fashion mavens, not only is the end of summer a happy instance to refill our wardrobes with autumn fashion trends, but it also provides the perfect excuse to snuggle up indoors with a

Shine bright like a diamond this April

Those born in the month of April are fortunate enough to have one of the most prized and regal gems as their birthstone. For all those April babies, diamonds really are a girl's (and boy's) best friend. From the Greek word " ad ámas " meaning "unbreakable", diamonds have been the desired gem for centuries; arguably as early as 4 BC due to its unique characteristics and qualities. Historically diamonds first became popular in India where the Imperial Colony and moguls mined diamonds from deposits along three major rivers. Diamond is made of pure carbon and it is the way that

London Fashion Week 2018 - September

London Fashion Week September 2018 – A Celebration Of Culture, Fashion & Art For Everyone London Fashion Week has established itself as one of the most creative and innovative fashion showcases in the world, with its home, London, being one of the most multicultural, vibrant and diverse cities on the planet. London Fashion Week Festival brings a city-wide celebration throughout the month of September 2018 merging creative institutions, designer businesses and global brands, offering consumer activation in London as a backdrop to London Fashion Week. London Fashion Week Festival opens up the city and celebrates the intersection of the creative industries, from music, art, tech and

Diamonds Are Forever

Happy birthday month to all you April babies out there! With Spring in full swing and summer fashion trends ready to ring-a-ding-ding, the diamond dazzles as queen bee in this months gemstone spotlight! Owing to their superior robust structure, remarkable luster and beautiful crystal lattice patterns reflecting and refracting light spectrums, the diamond sparkles with a hidden beauty of intrigue and desirable finery. Diamonds are not only a notoriously ancient coveted treasure of the wealthy elite but it is highly loved many gemmologosts for being one of the only gemstones made entirely from one element- carbon. Owing to its isometric

Festival of Crafts 2017

Festival of Crafts 2017 Festival of Crafts is returning for its 21st year at the Farnham Maltings, making it our longest-running craft festival. It marks the end of Farnham Craft Month (a celebration of contemporary craft in Farnham throughout October). Throughout the historic Maltings buildings festival of crafts will be celebrating contemporary crafts with over 70 leading makers, from Surrey and Hampshire and across the UK, selling their highly-skilled and unique handcrafted work. We have emerging and established makers specializing in a wide variety of crafts from textiles, glass-work, leather, ceramics, jewellery to furniture design and more will be gathering

Nicholas Philippe 1959 – 2017

Amanda Mansell, fellow jeweller and great friend of the late Nick Philippe, writes a fitting tribute to a golden personality within the industry. On Friday 22 September 2017 our dear friend passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 57 after a courageous and dignified 6 month battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. This was a deeply sad day for Nick’s family, his many friends, and a tragic loss to the jewellery industry. I remember the first day I met Nick, it was about 15 years ago. He came into my workshop and showed me a watchcase he’d

Catherine Hills: Gill Wing Jewellery Q & A

Gill Wing Jewellery is celebrating its twenty year anniversary with their original featured jewellery artist, then fresh RCA graduate Catherine Hills, by collaborating with and allowing her to 'take over' their gallery in the month of May. Here the gallery interviews the jeweller... How did you become a jeweller? CH: While I was on my challenging foundation year at Maidstone, I discovered my talent lay in 3D work. My initial desire to be a scientific or book illustrator was replaced with thoughts of being a jewellery designer. I was encouraged by my family to find an artistic career that might have a greater

Danish Design, Spotlight Exhibition, Woldstone Gallery - Woodstock, Oxfordshire

This month the Woldstone Gallery launches the first of its ‘Spotlight’ exhibitions, highlighting exceptional jewellery and silverware by 21st century studio goldsmiths and silversmiths. Woldstone will showcase jewellery and silverware by over twenty contemporary British and European goldsmiths; many award–winning. The Woldstone ‘Spotlight’ series of temporary exhibitions enables the gallery to introduce new designers and show a wider body of work by designers they represent on a permanent basis. “Danish Design” In November, Woldstone spotlights “Danish Design” and features the work of Tina Engell and Mikala Djorup. While this duo of talented contemporary goldsmiths share a common heritage; they both

Plunge Into The Fresh Watery Hue of Aquamarine

Whilst traditionally there are two precious birthstones associated with the blooming spring month of March it is Aquamarine that is more closely considered the stone of seasonal tranquility. Derived from the latin word translating to "water of the sea", the ancient myth and symbolic folklore surrounding its properties is pulled from its aquatic associations and crystal ocean-like hue. Mined mainly throughout Brazil, this precious stone is distinctive for its blue-green iridescent tones caused by the chemical makeup of the stone of iron oxides. Aquamarine is a blue-stone variety within the Beryl family and can be found within a range of

Drop 'em Like It's Hot: Earring Shoulder Smoulder

Whilst we hate to be the summer fun kill joys and dare to utter the words 'farewell sunshine you fare weather friend', the shiny new month of September is here loud n'proud and ready to strut into the season of fanciful fall with boldly ornate outlandish pieces your magpie eyes can't help but clock! There's nothing quite like hearing the crunch of fresh fall leaves crumbling under foot on that first break of chilly morning work runs so what better way to maximise the experience by maximising your lobe'drobe in synch! Catwalks have shown no mercy when it comes to

Amethyst In The Violet Spotlight

For those birthday babies of February, purple Amethyst marks the precious birthstone of highly esteemed legendary powers and symbolic mythology. February delivers an unpredictable month of gloomy rain showers, shivering temperatures amongst the short, dark days of monotony for many. The semi-precious violet birthstone of Amethyst therefore provides a soothing antidote of strength to fight the February fatigue and inject a little warmth through its calming properties of of peace, stability and courage. As one of the most widely used naturally hard gems, Amethyst is generally sourced in the form of six-sided crystals and contains the second most abundant minerals

Cad / Design Intern, Pruden and Smith Ltd - Ditchling, East Sussex

The Role CAD / Design Intern Pruden and Smith Ltd Ditchling, East Sussex (Nr Brighton) Paid 6 month Internship potential for ongoing employment We are looking for a Jewellery Designer to work 5 days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) in the village of Ditchling near Brighton. This is an exciting chance to be a part of a fast growing and award winning jewellery business. About the Job Daily tasks will include: In CAD: Modelling existing designs for the digital design library. In CAD: Modelling and costing existing designs with clients variations after or during client appointments. Conducting client consultations and

Crayola Colour Crush

The month of April is now upon us which makes it just the right time to get our new-season wish-lists brimming with the trend-train must-haves! With the international fashion weeks done and dusted, we've done our trends research for the upcoming months and there's only two words for it: Colour. Explosion. With the politics and news of the world in a permanent state of gloom and malaise, the creative designers of 2018 have taken action to whip away the dullness with a kaleidoscopic dive into Crayola rainbow colours. Nothing short of uplifting, inspiriting and energising, the underlying message from S/S

Dazzle @ Oxo Tower Wharf, London

Dazzle opens this month at Oxo Tower Wharf, showcasing over 80 contemporary jewellery designers from across Europe, from France to Lithuania. New Graduate Additions This year’s event will Introduce 15 exciting new designer makers, handpicked for the quality of their workmanship and innovation of their designs, from the 2016 graduate shows, including Holly Higgins, Genevieve Howard, Emily Higham, Wanshu Li and Amber Cooper-Green. Established Names These new graduates will rub shoulders with an internationally collected line-up of contemporary jewellery royalty, including, Heather Woof, Hannah Louise Lamb, Lynne MacLachlan, Grace Girvan, Jessica Briggs, Flora Bhattachary and Jane Adam. Styles, Statements and

Huguenot Footsteps - Spitalfields

Huguenot Footsteps - Spitalfields Huguenots walking tours in Spitalfields take place on the first Tuesday of each month from May to October. Many of the Huguenots (French Protestants) who left France after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 were weavers - over the years 25,000 settled in Spitalfields. They brought their skills (known as “the Mysteries of the Strangers”), new techniques, new ideas and the incomparable French style. The master weavers lived in large, elegant houses whilst the journeymen weavers lived in small houses north of Spitalfields and Bethnal Green. You will hear about the silk industry,

Q&A: Rosie Fortescue

BAFTA award winning reality TV personality, fashion blogger, style writer and jewellery designer Rosie Fortescue answers the benchpeg Q&A. What’s your name, and what do you for a living? RF: Rosie Fortescue, jewellery designer and fashion blogger. How did you come to work in the jewellery industry? RF: I have been obsessed with jewellery for as long as I can remember so it seemed the natural progression of fulfilling my dream. How would you describe your work to someone who doesn’t know it? RF: I design affordable luxury jewellery from women of all ages. What is your creative process? RF: I write down

Showstoppers Talk: An eye for design: Rosalinde Gilbert, fashion designer and collector

Showstoppers Silver Centrepieces Silver is a seductive, glamorous material and the centrepiece is one of its most wondrous uses. ‘Showstoppers’ takes two iconic centrepieces from Leeds’ historic silver collection and presents them alongside contemporary masterpieces by artists Junko Mori and Miriam Hanid. The exhibition showcases the continuation and reinvention of traditional silversmithing techniques and celebrates women in silver, as makers and owners. Junko Mori Willaume & Tanqueray Miriam Hanid Thomas Pitts Events Programme Talk: Miriam Hanid Date: 9 June 2017 Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm Tickets: £7 (inc. admission), booking required. Event: Silversmithing Demonstration Date: 10 June 2017 Time: 11.00am –

Showstoppers Talk: Surtouts, Epergnes and ‘Grands Platts Menages’

Showstoppers Talk: Miriam Hanid

Showstoppers

Showstoppers Talk: Shining silver commissions from the Sheffield Assay Office collection; the work of Junko Mori

Showstoppers Talk: Surtouts, Epergnes and ‘Grands Platts Menages’

Icons of British Fashion

Icons of British Fashion Blenheim Palace 23rd March to 30th June 2024 Who’s Who of British designers collaborate for Icons of British Fashion exhibition at Blenheim Palace Blenheim Palace has collaborated with some of Britain’s most iconic fashion designers and brands to create Icons of British Fashion , the largest exhibition in its 300-year history, open to the public from today (23rd March) to 30th June, sponsored by nearby British luxury retail destination; Bicester Village. From the moment visitors arrive and step onto the red carpet leading up to the Palace, they’ll experience a world-class fashion exhibition featuring designs and

Vasundhara: An Interaction

I admit to be attracted by those experiments that mix traditions and contemporary life, if they are successful, like the new series of works called An Interaction and created by Vasundhara Mantri, an Indian designer with an international background writes Ilaria Ruggiero. In this case the experimentation is even more interesting, given the use of glass, an unusual material in Indian culture and history. The designer expresses creativity in experimentation as if it were a new awakening, which requires an approach made up of precision, confidence and control: "Art is forged in emotion. Wearable art must follow its own journey. As it

Museum of Arts And Design New York, Appoints Christian Larsen as Windgate Research Curator

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) today announced the appointment of Christian Larsen to the position of Windgate Research Curator, effective immediately. In this position, funded by the Windgate Charitable Foundation, Larsen will lead an educational and curatorial partnership between the Museum of Arts and Design and Bard Graduate Center (BGC) to increase the visibility of craft and design in art history and the contemporary art world. He replaces Elissa Auther who was named Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and William and Mildred Lasdon Chief Curator last September. 'With great enthusiasm, we welcome Christian to the curatorial team at

Introducing the latest Harry Winston collection ‘Winston Gates’

Signature design codes from luxury maisons are often reinterpreted time and time again, however, Harry Winston’s latest jewellery collection looks to a unique part of the brand’s history for inspiration writes Jodie Smith. What do you think of when you hear the name Harry Winston? Renowned for his acquisition of some of the world’s most famous diamonds such as the Jonker, Hope, and Winston Legacy diamonds - as well as his philanthropic pursuits - Harry Winston is a name usually associated with enormous jewels, like the headline grabbing purple sapphire and diamond necklace which Jennifer Lopez sported on the Met Gala

Vegas Edge 2019

Vegas Edge Alexis Park All-Suite Hotel and Conference Centrer, Las Vegas, USA 12 th -13 th August 2019 The 3 Vegas Edge Show Reports Record Breaking Sales for Upcoming Event Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 August 2019 are set to go down in history as the Vegas Edge Team have pre-sold a record breaking 80% of the floor space for their August event. The sister show to LondonEdge, an international event established for 20 years, Vegas Edge is the only commercial platform stateside dedicated to lifestyle, creative alternative apparel, footwear & accessories businesses. Exhibitors, buyers, influencers & press will gather

Cartier: The Story Behind the Style

Cartier: The Story Behind the Style by Rachael Taylor Cartier: The Story Behind the Style is a beautifully illustrated, handbag-sized visual history of one of the world's most iconic brands. From the brand's inception in Paris in 1847, Cartier has been the go-to jeweller for the world's most stylish set. Filled with photographs and information from the company's 175 years, go behind the scenes to discover the story of how Cartier became synonymous with luxury. Chart the rise of the famous jeweller and watchmaker from humble beginnings in 19th-century Paris to the slick empire it is today. Discover how the

Matrixgold Tips & Tricks Part 2

Matrixgold Tips & Tricks Part 2 Join us on Tuesday 27 September at 10:00 for this 2 hour free webinar with MatrixGold CAD Tutor Jack Meyer. In the class we’ll discuss: NURBS problem solving strategy in MatrixGold The difference between Rhino History and MatrixGold Dynamic Commands, and how to get the most out of both Effectively managing and organising Dynamic Command trees The limitations of solid modelling We will be using the latest version of MatrixGold V3 and Rhino 7, Join us at 10am on Tuesday 27 September 2022 To enrol, visit the Eventbrite link at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matrixgold-tips-tricks-lecture-part-2-tickets-421717106217

Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style

Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style by Rachael Taylor Tiffany & Co.: The Story Behind the Style is a beautifully illustrated, handbag-sized visual history of one of the world's most iconic brands. Open the world's most famous little blue box to discover the story of Tiffany & Co. since its founding in 1837. Packed with photographs and information from the company's 185 years, get a glimpse of the legendary designs that have made Tiffany & Co. a household name. Starting in New York City in 1837, you will discover just how far plucky upstart Charles Lewis Tiffany went

Digital Jewelry Week

Digital Jewelry Week 7 - 12 October 2024 www.digitaljewelryweek.com Digital Jewelry Week makes history with first-ever hybrid event setting a new standard for the global jewelry industry The immersive event will blend digital innovation with an exclusive in-person gathering in Milan’s iconic garden senato. Digital Jewelry Week (DJW), returning for its second year taking place from the 7th to the 13th of October, has today announced that the event will expand into both digital and physical spaces, marking the jewellery industry’s first-ever hybrid event. On the 12 of October, DJW will host an exclusive one-day gathering in Milan’s prestigious Garden Senato.

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

Celestial Inspired Jewellery

Jewellers turn to celestial bodies for design inspiration time and time again, with some of the biggest names in fine jewellery returning to star, sun and planet motifs for 2019. These forms are both familiar and yet magical to us, becoming part of the pantheon of jewellery history for many collectors and admirers writes Jodie Smith. Cartier Released during Paris haute couture week, Cartier introduced an entire galaxy of 14 limited edition pieces of jewellery in ‘Les Galaxies de Cartier.’ This is the first in the series of Cartier’s collections based on the mission statement: ‘Explore New, Create Amazing’, and

Goldsmith & Mounter, G. Collins & Sons - Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Goldsmith & Mounter G. Collins & Sons Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent G. Collins & Sons are a family-owned business based in Royal Tunbridge Wells.  Due to expansion, we have a unique opportunity for a skilled Goldsmith and Mounter to join our on-site workshop team. With a history that spans back to 1985, we are a small, family-run jewellers that handcrafts all our jewellery on-site and looking to expand our team. Our Goldsmiths & Mounters are essential to our production workflow, and they must show meticulous attention to detail when carrying out their work. We are keen to hear from applicants

Robert Baines: Living Treasure and Fabulous Follies

The exhibition Robert Baines: Living Treasure and Fabulous Follies is organized by Gallery Loupe for Contemporary Art Jewelry, Montclair, New Jersey, in collaboration with the Arkansas Arts Center and aims at celebrating the dazzling and witty work of the master goldsmith, craftsman and leading scholar in the field of archaeometallurgy. Everything in his creative research started when The Metropolitan Museum of Art encouraged him to make copies of pieces in their collection and testing them. This has developed his personal understandings that jewelry artifact crystallizes “human drama” and this knowledge base has empowered my trajectory into playing with jewelry history and

Pearls - A Practical Guide by Wendy Graham

Pearls - A Practical Guide by Wendy Graham Pearls are one of the oldest precious gemstones. They have been revered through history and the best reserved to adorn royalty and their favourites. Now, with the arrival of freshwater pearls, they are available to suit every pocket and every style, from the classic to the most creative. Includes a guide to the types of pearl and to the farming process. Gives advice on buying pearls; what to look for and what to avoid. Gives instruction on working with pearls, including drilling, setting and knotting. Finally, there is information on South Sea,

Online event celebrating the Jewellery Quarter’s independent businesses

Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) organises one-day online event celebrating the Quarter’s independent businesses On Saturday June 13, viewers can enjoy an exciting day filled with online entertainment within the safety of their own four walls. JQ at Home is a celebration of the artistry, creativity and history of this unique Quarter of Birmingham - an area of the city which has been hit especially hard during the Coronavirus crisis. With a large proportion of businesses in the Jewellery Quarter being part of the hospitality, retail and arts sectors, many businesses were forced to cease trading from as early

The Rock Crystal Exhibition At The Cluny Museum: Explore This Fascinating Material Through Time And Space

The Rock Crystal Exhibition At The Cluny Museum: Explore This Fascinating Material Through Time And Space From 26 September 2023 to 14 January 2024 Paris Rock crystal has fascinated every civilisation since time immemorial for its mysterious translucence. From 26 September 2023 to 14 January 2024, the Musée de Cluny – Musée National du Moyen Âge will be taking visitors on a journey through the history of crystal from the present day to the Middle Ages and beyond. During medieval times in particular, this colourless quartz was a much coveted material for making tableware and other precious items such as

Assistant Production Manager, Grant Macdonald - London

Assistant Production Manager Grant Macdonald London SE1 Grant Macdonald is a high-end silversmithing manufacturer, with over 50 years of history and a Royal Warrant to His Majesty The King. We are market leaders in our specialised field and our global customer base ensures we produce a wide range of fascinating products.  A new opportunity has arisen to join our expanding production team in our central London workshop and office. We are currently looking for an Assistant Production Manager who has good experience working in high end manufacturing and can support our current Production Manager and the rest of the production

AJW 2019: Athens Jewelry Week 2019

AJW 2019: Athens Jewelry Week 2019 Benaki Museum, Athens, Greece 22 – 29 May 2019 For the fourth consecutive year, Athens Jewelry Week will open its doors at the end of May, with a renewed program, new collaborations and more energy than ever. As often happens around jewelry festivals, institutional moments will complement an off program that will allow the rediscovery of the city for residents and not only. A new way of looking at the art and history of this ancient civilization, through the filter of the jewel that allows to open up to new meanings, experiences and stimulate

A fond farewell to friend and colleague Tam Savill

T erry Hunt, Chair of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, remembers our friend and colleague Tam Savill. In 2010, in a lunch-hour at the School of Jewellery, I had a visit from Tam. This was the first time we’d met, and therefore my first experience of her “people-persuasion” skills. By the end of the lunch break I suddenly found myself, a lapsed founder-member of the Association, its new chair! And the rest, as the saying goes, is history. A rich and fulfilling time for the ACJ, with Tam achieving so many of her aspirational and bold projects – work that she

Vintage Jeweller's Rolling Mill Stand

A charming vintage jeweller's rolling mill stand that is perfect for collectors, restoration enthusiasts, or working artisans. Built with sturdy cast iron and classic craftsmanship, this stand measures 79cm in height and supports a rolling mill with a 15cm width. There is some slight surface rust, but nothing too major as it can be sanded down and re-painted. It's timeless design combines practical function with nostalgic appeal, making it a standout piece in any workshop or studio. Ideal for those who appreciate quality tools with a history. Just looking for a quick sell. Please contact me, if you require more

The Goldsmiths' Company appoints Annie Warburton as its new Clerk and CEO

Annie Warburton has been announced as the new Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company. Annie becomes the first female Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company in its 700 year history, she has more than 20 years’ experience in creative industries organisations that span the private, public and charity sectors. She will join the Goldsmith’s Company in January 2024. This week the Goldsmiths’ Company announced that Anne-Christina ( Annie ) Warburton, CEO of Cockpit Arts and former Creative Director of The Crafts Council, has been appointed Clerk and CEO of The Goldsmiths’ Company, starting in January 2024. With

SIERAAD Art Fair 2019

[youtube url=http://youtu.be/Snjqq3Hf7Os] SIERAAD Art Fair 2019 7 - 10 October 2019 Gashouder WesterGasterrein, Amsterdam The 18th edition of SIERAAD International Jewellery Art Fair will be held aa MARJAN UNGER TRIBUTE in cooperation with the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Marjan Unger (1946-2018) was a well known Dutch art historian, writer, curator, teacher, design expert and a collector of jewellery but most of all a very dedicated promoter of jewellery design. A warm, kind and humorous lady who was always curious and ready to cross boundaries. She was a reseacher, studied art history and completed her doctoral dissertation, but she also did an

News Briefing: 9 February 2025

A curated edit of this week's national and international jewellery news... Bulgari’s new exhibition pays homage to the snake in culture, art and jewellery Anna Solomon, February 2025, Wallpaper: The high jewellery maison celebrates the Chinese zodiac in ‘Serpenti Infinito’, a Shanghai exhibition that traces how the symbol of the serpent has manifested throughout history. www.wallpaper.com Pharrell Williams and Tiffany & Co put Tahitian pearls and diamonds in the spotlight Anne Soward, February 2025, Wallpaper: Two new jewellery collections combine Tiffany & Co’s inventive craftsmanship with the creative vision of Pharrell Williams www.wallpaper.com LVMH achieves a solid performance despite an

CAD / CAM Designer, G. Collins & Sons - Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The role CAD/CAM Designer G. Collins & Sons Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent At G. Collins & Sons, we have a full-time opportunity to join our first-class team as an integral member of our workshop. With a history that spans back to 1985, we are a small, family-run jewellers tucked away in Tunbridge Wells, Kent with an ever-expanding team in search of a CAD/CAM Designer. The position will be based in Royal Tunbridge Wells in our innovative, traditional highly skilled workshop. The successful candidate must have strong design skills in Rhino or Matrix and have a good knowledge of jewellery fabrication,

The Four Rings of Forever

Blurred lines have become a common norm in today's society yet history has long shown us that the stages of a relationship are distinguished by four rings of commitment. Is it a casual summer fling, a committed entanglement, short or long term or even warrant an extra pair of house keys? Modern society keeps the boundaries loose and overlapped but the wedding ring has forever been the symbolic sign of love, affection and promise between two individuals. Yet for every stage of a relationship there is a band of meaning to embody it. The evolution of these four rings has

The Contemporary Craft Festival 2017

The Contemporary Craft Festival came about when three Bovey Tracey craft businesses joined forces and formed a non-profit making company with the aim to bring a large craft Fair to Bovey Tracey. The aim of the Fair was to showcase the very best in British craft and the create a new, sustainable and strong market place for contemporary craft but also to bring greater prosperity to the town of Bovey Tracey. The town has a long history of making and at one point up to 15 commercial potteries were running in the area. Dates 9 - 11 June 2017 Venue

Jewellery: Wearable Glass

Jewellery: Wearable Glass - National Glass Centre in Sunderland National Glass Centre presents an exhibition of newly commissioned glass jewellery, made through exciting new collaborations between four glass artists and eight jewellers. Glass jewellery has a history going back to the Ancient Egyptians. In the 19th and early 20th the artist Rene Lalique used glass to make jewellery but more recently the use of glass in jewellery by artists has been limited. Through the exhibition Jewellery: Wearable Glass National Glass Centre aims to re-introduce glass as a material to be used by leading jewellers based in Britain. National Glass Centre

TEFAF Maastricht 2018

TEFAF Maastricht 2018 Established in 1988, TEFAF is widely regarded as the world’s pre-eminent organization of fine art, antiques, and design. TEFAF runs three Fairs internationally - TEFAF Maastricht, which covers 7,000 years of art history; TEFAF New York Spring, focused on modern and contemporary art & design; and TEFAF New York Fall, covering fine and decorative art from antiquity to 1920. TEFAF champions the finest quality art from across the ages by creating a community of the world’s top art dealers and experts to inspire lovers and buyers of art everywhere. TEFAF Maastricht will present more than 280 of

Made for the Table

Made for the Table Made for the Table presents contemporary silver from the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection, together with the curated work of leading UK artisans in furniture design, glass, ceramics and textiles. This modern table setting is introduced by examples of extraordinary antique silver acquired over several hundred years by the Company. This reflects its long history of patronage and contextualises the outstanding work of makers practicing in Britain today. The exhibition demonstrates both a continuation of silversmithing techniques and innovation in the treatment of the material. The process of handforging allows cutlery to be created in precisely the same

Muriel Wilson 1933 – 2018

Muriel was a Founding Member of ACJ, and was for seven years our Honorary Secretary. She initiated our print magazine Findings and served as its Editor for 15 years, from 1998 to 2013. She was a keystone member of ACJ and keeper of its history. She retired from the Board meetings in 2014 (always identified as attending ex officio Editor of Findings) and thereafter served on our Panel of Advisors wirites Tamizan Savill from the Association for Contemporary Jewellery in Muriel Wilson's obituary. Jane Adam wrote “Muriel proved herself to be pivotal to the formation of ACJ, giving us a good

Graduate Show University of Brighton 2017

MDes and BA Hons 3D Design and Craft Graduate Show University of Brighton The University of Brighton’s annual Graduate Show is when their talented graduating students in the arts, design, architecture and media stage their final-year shows. Our courses cover a range of disciplines and on show will be work from the following subject areas: architecture and interior architecture, fashion and textiles, film, fine art, photography, graphics and and illustration, design, craft, media, history of art and design. Meet the Makers on Sunday 4th June Graduating students from the 3D Design & Craft course will be presenting the processes used to

Spring Fair 2017, NEC Birmingham

Spring Fair is the UK’s No.1 trade show for gift and home, welcoming more than 60,000 visitors through the doors of Birmingham NEC, over the course of 5 days. Connecting people and products for 40 years, Spring Fair attracts a purchase power of £2.4 billion, making it a must-do for over 2,500 exhibitors with must-have items and a must-see for buyers across independents, multiples, e-Commerce and more. Officially opened by the Queen at the NEC in 1976, Spring Fair has a history of high standards. Dates : 5 - 9 February 2017 Open: Sun 5 February - 9:00 - 18:00

Spirit of Christmas, Studio Fusion Gallery - London

The use of drinking vessels to celebrate special occasions and to mark life’s milestones is part of our tradition and history. Contemporary designers and artists can enhance our drinking experiences with joyful, tactile and beautiful objects and Studio Fusion Gallery in their ongoing engagement with metalsmiths is delighted to present a selection from some of the top UK makers this Christmas. Work by Juliette Bigley, Angela Cork, Adrian Hope, Simone ten Hompel, Edward Mahoney, Rebecca De Quin, Mary Ann Simmons, Hazel Thorn, Adi Toch, Tamar de Vries Winter. Studio Fusion Gallery Unit 1:06 Oxo Tower Wharf Bargehouse Street London SE1

RELIC

RELIC This is Metalsmith Rebecca Gouldson’s first foray into curating with this exhibition entitled RELIC. The exhibition draws on Rebecca’s interpretation of the theme as “a collection of objects which capture my imagination, chosen for their appearance of being found, rather than recently made; aged rather than new. They appear to have a history, told through their form, their surface marks and sometimes in their arrangement or display.” Exhibiting makers include Rebecca Appleby, Karolina Baines, Elaine Bolt, Jane Cairns, Anne-Laure Cano, Amanda Denison, Rebecca Gouldson, Ruth Leslie, Claire Malet, Jo Pond, Paul Wearing, Rachel Wood and others to be announced

About Benchpeg

A little bit about our history... 18 years ago, the UK jewellery industry was lacking accessible information. Organisations in the trade were keeping themselves to themselves, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest developments. In 2006 we founded Benchpeg, and launched the first digital newsletter for the jewellery industry and allied trades aimed at promoting information from across the trade and bridging the gap of information out there and accessibility to it. In 2024 we published our 800th issue of the Benchpeg newsletter. Today we support the jeweller by assisting with recruitment needs, sharing the

Contemporary Jewellery: Exploring Its Impact on Well-Being

Contemporary Jewellery: Exploring Its Impact on Well-Being (exhibition) 29 October - 8 November 2024 Loughborough University Arts A jewellery exhibition of doctoral research on how contemporary jewellery impacts well-being. Throughout history, jewellery as an intimate object, has decorated our bodies and developed a variety of meanings and functions. This exhibition presents parts of Yajie’s doctoral research, exploring whether and how contemporary jewellery impacts people’s well-being. The exhibition also traces Yajie’s artistic practice in contemporary jewellery, from initial inspiration and material experimentation to the creation of final pieces. This PhD research employed various methods, including well-being scales, diaries, and semi-structured interviews

TALK: In Conversation With Mary Ann Wingfeild And Rachael Taylor

TALK: In Conversation With Mary Ann Wingfeild And Rachael Taylor Date: Tuesday 21 February, 2023 Start Time: 6.00 PM End Time: 8.00 PM Venue: FORGE Mary Ann Wingfield is author of Modern British Jewellery Designers 1960-1980. An introduction to the most influential British designers spanning two decades and reveals the inspirations behind the evolution of their identifiable designs and signature styles. Rachael Taylor author of two books about Tiffany & Cartier - The Story Behind the Style. A visual history of two of the world's most iconic brands and jewels of our times. Hear Mary Ann and Rachael discuss what inspired them to choose these

Imperial Splendours Exhibition - Beijing

Set in the Palace Museum, Beijing, formerly known as the Forbidden City, the ' Imperial Splendo u rs' exhibition spans the history of the Maison Chaumet from the 18th century to the beginning of the 21st; illustrating the uninterrupted transmission of exceptional savoir-faire. Under the scientific direction of Henri Loyrette , the exhibition will run until July, 2 nd   and is built around  Chaumet’s patrimonial wealth; a unique body of historic jewels, drawings and archives. Some 300 works, jewels, paintings, drawings and objets d’art illustrate Chaumet’s characteristic “art of jewellery ”. Prestigious collections and prominent museums have come