Statement By The Artist
Metal smithing, and by extension precious metal smithing, is one of the oldest professions in history. For thousands of years, generations of smiths and apprentices have contributed their knowledge and skill to this noble craft, and although much has changed, much of it has remained exactly the same.
Precious metal objects and mineral gemstones have the potential to outlast the civilizations that create them. Due to the unique properties of gold, silver and platinum, objects made from these metals that are not subjected to continuous wear, will survive in much the same condition as they are now, whether they are ten or ten thousand years old. I am fascinated by what the objects produced in our time will tell future archeologists about us as a people, the things that we valued and the things we chose to attach to our identity as individuals, and as a community. In my work I choose to explore things that are relevant to us in our time. Our buildings, our social structures, our living spaces, social customs and collective fears.
"Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity, and so we ask ourselves; will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we're gone, and wonder who we were, how bravely we faught, how fiercely we loved?" - Sean Bean, as the character of Odysseus, from the 2004 film Troy (screenplay by David Benioff)
In my studio I use a variety of design and manufacture techniques, some of them modern, including CAD design combined with 3D printing and casting, as well as good old fashioned rolled metal bench work, the way it has been done for centuries. For millennia. The smith is not just a smith. The smith is also an artist, a poet and a craftsman. A slice of history. A modern being with an ancient calling.
“In the case of Smith, the name is so poetical that it must be an arduous and heroic matter for the man to live up to it. The name of Smith is the name of the one trade that even kings respected; it could claim half the glory of that arma virumque which all epics acclaimed. The spirit of the smithy is so close to the spirit of song that it has mixed in a million poems, and every blacksmith is a harmonious blacksmith. Even the village children feel that in some dim way the smith is poetic, as the grocer and the cobbler are not poetic, when they feast on the dancing sparks and deafening blows in the cavern of that creative violence. The brute repose of Nature, the passionate cunning of man, the strongest of earthly metals, the weirdest of earthly elements, the unconquerable iron subdued by its only conqueror, the wheel and the ploughshare, the sword and the steam-hammer, the arraying of armies and the whole legend of arms, all these things are written, briefly indeed, but quite legibly, on the visiting-card of Mr. Smith.” -- G.K. Chesterton, Heretics
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Book a free consultation (in person or via Zoom) and let me help you bring your idea to life. Free nationwide door-to-door shipping is included on all orders over R1500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work? Where do I start?
The best place to start is with the gemstone that will be the central feature of the ring because this dictates many of the other proportions of the piece. For a detailed breakdown of the process, click here.
Can I bring my own diamond or other gemstones?
Yes, you are more than welcome to do that. Many people inherit a stone from a family member or would like to reuse a stone they bought on another occasion. That is perfectly fine with me.
What metals do you work in?
I work in all precious metals commonly used for jewellery, so that would be sterling silver, argentium silver, yellow gold and white gold (9K, 14K, 18K), and platinum. For more information on precious metals and the difference between them, click here.
What is the difference between white gold and platinum?
Platinum is an element on the periodic table, a metal in its own right, while white gold is an alloy of pure yellow gold and other metals. Here is a bit of history:
In the late 19th century bench jewellery was revolutionised by the invention of the
pressurised oxygen tank, or liquid oxygen, which for the first time became
commercially available at affordable prices. This led to the development of the
oxyacetylene mixing torch, invented in France by Edmond Fouché and Charles
Picard, and for the first time made possible a flame that could reach the
temperatures required for solid platinum (Pt) jewellery manufacturing.
Platinum quickly emerged as the new darling in the world of fine jewellery, with its
brilliant white colour it complimented white diamonds, which thanks to De Beers
were having a moment at the same time too, and its fantastic tensile strength
made extremely delicate designs possible for the first time in history.
With the end of the Edwardian era and the start of WWI, platinum all but disappeared in
jewellery, due to its usefulness as a catalyst in explosive devices but
experienced a brief period of resurging glory (the Art Deco period) between the
great wars, mostly thanks to the discovery of the Merensky Reef, a platinum
deposit which stretches from northern Gauteng into Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
During WWII the US government declared platinum a metal of strategic importance, and almost
completely banned its use in anything outside of military applications. This
led to the development of a new gold alloy we know today as white gold.
White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and other metals such as silver, copper and
zinc, which are common in other gold alloys, but with the addition of palladium
or nickel to bleach out the yellow colour. Because its base is still yellow
metal, it isn’t quite white and is usually plated with another, whiter metal to
create the crisp white finish consumers expect. This used to be done with
rhodium (Rh), but after that metal’s price skyrocketed in recent years, it has
been replaced by other metals.
Nickel alloys have almost completely fallen out of use because most people are
allergic to them. It perseveres in mass production white gold jewellery though,
so be sure to ask before you make a purchase. My preferred alloy contains 10%
palladium. Although the palladium content makes it quite a bit more expensive
than the nickel alloys, it has good tensile strength, is unlikely to cause
allergic reactions, and has a white enough finish for it to still appear white
even without the plating.
Because it contains gold (Au), white gold alloy fineness (purity) is expressed the same
way as yellow gold, in karatage (9K, 14K, 18K) or parts in 1000 (375, 585, 750). In South Africa platinum jewellery is usually 95% pure Pt, with a 5%
copper or ruthenium alloy.
You can read more about the composition of white gold here.
Can I buy a diamond from you?
Yes, I source quality diamonds based on your requirements. During your consultation we can discuss the pros and cons of both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. I usually call a few options for you to view before making your decision. I do not keep diamonds on the premises for security reasons, so you will need to book this viewing in advance. For more information on how to choose a natural diamond, click here. For more information on laboratory-grown diamonds, click here.
What if I don't want a diamond?
I get you. There are plenty of other options. Moissanite is increasingly popular as a replacement for diamond, and lots of people are opting for coloured gemstones instead. I can source whatever you need. Click here to browse a selection of coloured gemstones I offer on behalf of a third party seller. Like with diamonds you will need to book viewings in advance because I need time to request the stone from the supplier.
What is moissanite?
Moissanite is a man-made gem which has very similar properties to diamond, although not quite as hard. Click here to read more about this affordable alternative.
What other services do you offer?
Other services include remodeling of old jewellery and insurance valuations. For a list of my services, click here.
Can I see some of the things you have made?
My social media accounts are really the best place to see this, but I have a small gallery on the website which you can find here.