Gemiprecious Jewellery Designs

Handcrafted Jewellery Designed by Gemiprecious Jewellery with love, just for you. Unique one off designs. Commissions welcomed. Happiness is handmade!

I get an amazing buzz when someone looks at my work and an even bigger buzz when they do me the honour of buying. I always feel that because I have made the jewellery with love that a bit of love goes into the lives of the people who bought it (silly I know but…. . ) ❤

I first started jewellery making because I was bored after my second hip replacement operation. I wanted a Garnet and Pearl set, but couldn’t quite find what I wanted. I came across a site selling gemstones and sterling silver, and voila, the bug bit.

After many nice comments and encouragement from friends and family, my confidence in my ability grew and I started experimenting with glass and silver plate. I wasn’t happy with using silver plate as I felt it diminished the quality of my work, so now I only use sterling silver in my designs. There are some silver plate items on the site, but these are clearly stated in the description.

I love working with gemstones, they seem to have a life of their own and are very tactile. You can tell real gemstones because they are cold to the touch and even when worn they remain slightly cooler than body temperature. If you rub real pearls on your teeth they should feel grainy rather than smooth.

I set my own site up www. gemipreciousjewellery. co. uk as I wanted to sell my designs. It took a while and many iterations to come up with a name, then my husband had the brilliant idea for the name and it just sounded right!

Art Nouveau and Art Deco are my favourites; the elegance of the eras is fantastic and really appeals to me.

I have a range of earrings, bracelets and necklaces, some in sets and in many different gemstones. I try to make one off designs which is a challenge, but so far I have succeeded!

I source all my sterling silver from bullion dealers and my gemstones from a few trusted companies. The saying ‘if it's too good to be true, then it is’ is really true. I have tried a lot of companies and whittled down my suppliers to 3 or 4 whose gemstones are consistently good quality.

Some gemstones or glass beads literally make themselves; the designs just come easily, others take a long time for designs to come to mind which can be frustrating. I have some beads that have been waiting for their perfect partner so a design can jump off the page. I transfer designs from my imagination onto paper (especially when doing commissions) sometimes they stay as a drawing because they don't work in practice and sometimes they become a piece of jewellery, but the design develops as I am making. There are some examples in the Gallery page on the website.

I have recently learnt how to make chain maille and am in the process of teaching myself Kumihimo braiding, and I have made a few wire wrapped rings rings now (again self taught) so I am quite proud that my skills are expanding. It's all really challenging but also really satisfying.

I have designed and made custom pieces for friends which have been greatly appreciated. They just gave me the colour they wanted and I sourced the gemstones. I then gave them a couple of ideas for designs and they chose the one they preferred, then it was down to making it. I love the challenge of this, although it is rather nerve racking!

All my jewellery has been made with love.