22.6.13

it's like this



Sometimes a piece of jewellery reminds you of a familiar artwork, and sometimes an artwork reminds you of a piece of jewellery.  This new section of my blog "it's like this" will show some of those similarities and comparisons that I pick up now and again.

To start off with I'd like to commemorate the recently passed Australian painter Jeffrey Smart, and some of the comparisons I've seen in these jewels...


Jeffrey Smart 'Luxury Cruise' 1972-73
Ramon Puig Cuyas, 'N.1280 Primacolor II', brooch










Jeffrey Smart, 'Portrait of Clive James' 1991-92


Per Suntum, 'As plain as it is' brooch







Jeffrey Smart, 'Playground at Mondragone' 1998



Annelies Planteydt, 'Beautiful City - Red Pink Cabinets', necklace







Jeffrey Smart, 'Autobahn in the Black Forest', 1979-80



Linda Hughes, 'Trio of Posts', brooches






6.6.13

restoration





As a jeweller it is very pleasing to be able to take something cherished and old and with many stories, and restore it to it's former glory, which in turn makes the piece safer to wear without fear of losing any stones or it breaking or bending.

This dainty old ring from around the 40s, consisting of 18ct yellow gold and palladium with white sapphires, had worn so thin at the back of the shank that it was uncomfortable to wear and was at risk of breaking through.  Also, the top section had worn smooth, exposing the stones more than what was safe and making the original mill grain disappear.


ring in worn state



old shank cut off, ready for new shank on left


Once the new shank was in place, all the stones were checked for stability and the original mill grain pattern was applied, giving it form again and emphasising the vintage appeal of the piece.


restored ring with new shank and re-grained setting across top


And the old shank did not go to waste either, I kept it as it was (it had a beautiful series of hallmarks inside it) and turned it into a simple necklace, perfect for everyday wear.