Beginnings-Vermilion Jewellery

I come from a family of artists & entrepreneurs. I caught the jewellery bug from my mother & visits to my uncle's jewellery store.

Declining a jewellery apprenticeship back in my youth, it seemed only natural to rebel and complete a science degree in Chemistry followed by a Dip Oenology (winemaking).

Many happy years were spent in the chem lab where my technical and attention to detail skills were honed.  

However, the fatal attraction of the arts eventually overruled the lab and in 2017 Vermilion Jewellery was born. The name chosen was Vermilion, the intense scarlet cinnabar pigment used in fine art, highly precious and more expensive than gold at the time. It also contains lion, my zodiac sign & its my favourite colour orange.

A fascination with venetian glass, gemstones and high jewellery led to a creative idea of marrying these materials together in a sculptural way. This is opposite to traditional and precise techniques normally used with high value jewellery. Requiring no less time, each piece develops a personality and an individual fingerprint of construction. 

Born in New Zealand and living in Brisbane, Australia gives me dual ties which has influenced my use of colour and artistry.

The result is a jewellery collection which reflects vibrant colours, gemstone flash and the durability and fineness of pure metals…

Each piece like no other and the metals are formed around the glass and gemstones as opposed to fitting them into settings. The contradiction of imperfect design and precious metals enables wearability & durabilty as well as reflecting and appreciating the imperfections in each of us.

Using precious metals is a given. Silver is too soft normally so I use modern alloys which are superior to Sterling silver which tarnishes easily. 

Gemstones are hand cut and along with pearls are handpicked by me at the Hong Kong Jewellery show which is the premier hub for the jewellery trade. It is a time in inspiration, aspiration and connecting with trusted suppliers. While lab diamonds have a place only naturally mined diamonds are appropriate here.

The glass components are artisan forged from the furnaces of Venice (Murano) as well as some small batch artisan glass from the USA. The glass rods are then remelted into organic shapes for setting after being speckled and swirled with intensely coloured grains of glass.

The result is an uncommon collection of fine jewellery which I hope you enjoy wearing as much as I had creating them.