Gem Focus

Posted by Jo Beckett on

It’s no secret that I adore gems, I love their hues, complexities and endless possibilities with facets.  Whether you opt for a simple cut or something extraordinary, the wonderful thing about gems is using them to express yourself. Having fun, being bold or creative with colour; whatever feels right for YOU.

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems

As a jeweller I feel it’s my responsibility to do gems justice, to show them off in the best light possible and bring out their unique characteristics. So whenever they feature in my jewellery I give careful consideration to exactly how I’m using them.

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems
Which leads me on to what I wanted to talk about here; there are so many ways to work with gems, I’m going to talk you through the various options.
Sourcing gems
If you are considering commissioning your own piece of JHW jewellery, or customising something of mine you like with a gem of your choice, it’s a good idea to explore all your options. I love to source gems for my clients. So much so, that whenever I’m looking for stones for a particular piece, be that a commission or for my own stock, I can't help spotting additional gems which I simply *must* have. I’ve gathered those must-have treasures that I have in stock in this Gem collection. It’s a good starting point if you’re not sure which gem is for you.

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems

If you have an idea in mind for a particular stone that doesn’t appear in this collection and you would like to discuss how to go about sourcing it, do get in touch and let’s see if we can find the perfect stone for you.

Setting your own gem

Perhaps you already have a gem that you would like to set in the piece of jewellery.  If this is the case, familiarise yourself with my collections, consider what resonates with you, then let's have a conversation about what would work for your particular stone.

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems

Bespoke hex pendant set with my clients black diamond

Some stones are not suitable for everyday wear, and will need special consideration, others are more hardy. If yours is a particularly bright hue, or it’s a little dark, you may want a setting that lets as much light into the stone as possible. Clearly, all stones need to be set securely, I’m happy to advise you on requirements for your stone.

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems

Custom made double square band made with my clients emerald

Repurposing gems

Some lucky people find themselves in the enviable position of having a piece of jewellery at home that is meaningful but no longer worn. In such cases, one lovely option is to reuse the materials to create a new piece of jewellery that will be loved and - importantly - worn. 

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems

Before and after: Varsha's ruby ring

I adore repurposing unloved jewels and breathing new life into jewellery, it's a deeply satisfying process all round.

Jo Hayes Ward | Jewellery Designer London| Design led fine jewellery | Sourcing Gems

Before and after: Lizanne's Hex ring stack

Whether it's the gem, the gold or both, do get in touch and we can discuss what is possible for you. You can see more examples of repurposing stories here.

I hope this has given you food for thought. If you’d like to discuss a gem please do get in touch.

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