Re-imaging The Use Of Rock Crystal
Inspiration has always found us in our favourite places... Museums!
rock crystal is a Prominent gemstone In many museum’s ecclesiastic Collections of ancient jewellery. Often carved into totems of gods and spirits for protection and fortune, they are inspiring masterpieces in themselves.
for us a true moment of inspiration came in the national Museum of Ireland when viewing the Cross of Cong. the centre of the cross holds a large rock crystal cabochon which once housed behind it, a piece of the true cross.
This was when the idea of using rock crystal as a looking glass in jewellery was born.
our experimentation began alongside An already long spanning interest in hand engraved ancient pattern.
Our “Tide” necklace features a radiant golden spiral, one of the most ancient symbols found on stone carvings across ireland and Europe.
It is hidden below a large Rock crystal Cabochon in beaten gold. The spiral distorts in and out of view becoming the wearer’s own talisman.
Jewellery has always been mankind’s answer to the profound need for self-adornment, consequently it is one of the oldest forms of decorative art.
As contemporary goldsmiths Martin and Laura collect inspiration for new pieces by studying the handmade jewellery worn by ancient cultures. Visiting museums and galleries and researching history books they discover the ways in which our ancestors wore jewellery for personal adornment, to demonstrate commitment and for protection.
