Once W-day has passed in a flurry of feasting and merriment, what remains? Apart from your love, your memories and that newly-wed glow, you'll have your wedding ring: a signifier of your wedding day and coupledom.
Today, as far as both style stakes and personalisation goes, the wedding ring is just as seminal as the dress. But there's one essential difference: you won't be wearing your dress for the rest of your married life together. So don't choose the first bland band you come across as you work through your endless to-do list. We implore you: give your wedding ring some careful consideration.
We've spoken to some of the southwest's most talented jewellers to unveil the inspiration behind their creations to help you pick the one - and most spectacularly 'you' - ring to rule them all.
JUSTIN DUANCE
Working from his woodland workshop in the far west of Cornwall, Justin Duance's innovative and "gently evolving" collections include everything from wood inlay to reticulated and stunning sandcast rings.
A graduate in Jewellery and Silversmithing at the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art in London, Justin began making his collections shortly after finishing his studies and, as demand grew, he decided to move back to Cornwall to set up his own workshop and business.
His work is deeply influenced by Cornwall's natural landscape and coastline. "I am especially fascinated by the way the countryside and ocean engage with each other, constantly conflicting, whilst paradoxically achieving a harmonic balance," he says. The contrast between the textures of land and sea inspire his distinctive aesthetic. "I combine wood with precious metals to give pieces an elemental feel, or texture the metal in a way that creates a feeling of organic movement."
Justin's surroundings also inform his production techniques as well as the ethically sourced and recycled materials he uses, which range from precious metals and gemstones to salvaged wood from old boats and Cornish orchards. "This culminates in a piece of jewellery, which changes subtly with wear in much the same way as the sea shapes the coastline of Cornwall," Justin explains.
Couples may provide their own materials with poignant meaning - it might be wood from the site of your engagement or wedding venue, sand from your favourite beach or a family heirloom - for Justin to create unique and highly personal pieces while showcasing his signature style. "Each piece of wood brings with it a life lived that adds great resonance and emotion to a design, particularly if supplied by the customer," he says.
An intricate process of handcrafting ensures that every piece is beautifully bespoke. Each sandcast ring, for example, involves pouring molten metal into tiny moulds made of sand for a wonderfully palpable textured wedding ring; furthermore, every item is individually hallmarked and bears Justin's maker's mark that guarantees the content, purity and quality of the metals.
Choose from Justin's collection of engagement and wedding rings, ranging from wood and gold inlay to gemstone and textured rock styles. Or why not co-design your own creation by combining silver, gold, titanium, palladium or platinum with eye-catching diamonds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, topaz and aquamarine for a ring replete with the wow factor?
Commissions start at just £140 for a basic silver ring, while rings from his online collection start from about £70. For enquiries get in touch on 01736 368395 or visit justind.co.uk
EMILY NIXON
It is fitting that Emily Nixon's atmospheric Hayle studio is located within touching distance of the water. "I create one-off pieces in response to the textures and forms of the seascape surrounding me. Inspired by a passion for fluid form and the simplicity of a hand-drawn line, I approach each piece of jewellery as a sculpture," explains the west Cornwall-based jeweller.
Having studied textiles at Goldsmith's College followed by a postgraduate year at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Art in Poland where she focussed on tapestry, sculpture and conceptual art, Emily's artistic career continued with curating at her own gallery in Edinburgh and, later, as director of Newlyn Art Gallery. She began producing her own work in 2000, which gradually morphed into smaller, wearable pieces of "deliberate, artful imperfection."
Taking the textures of the coastline as her muse, Emily's jewellery is a fusion of simplicity and statement style. "I love the fabric-like twists and folds of seaweed, the diversity in the contours of pebbles and the weathered character of flotsam I see washed up every day. The dichotomy of the precious and the organic - special stones encircled by sea-worn fragments of silver - characterises much of my inspiration."
Emily's training as an artist informs both her creative process and the unique quality of her finished pieces. "I approach each piece much like a drawing, striving to capture an essence of spontaneity," she explains. "I want to see the hand of the artist in each piece - for me, this makes them unique."
Her inimitable designs take a number of forms, from solitaire bands boasting unusual 'wrapped' settings, frilly seaweed stackable rings, and diamonds, sapphires and emeralds set into sculpted rings: "pools of colour in pieces that have a sea-worn quality." Emily's passion for different textures creates the most stunning aesthetic when her rings are stacked together, particularly when utilising gold in different colours.
Couples may arrange an appointment at Emily's studio and pore over her sublime collections of his and her wedding bands, which are available in a range of metals, widths and weights, as well as textures entitled rocks, ripples, cockle and urchin. Then there are her dazzling engagement rings, inspired by the folds and frills of seaweed, and artfully set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, topaz and tourmalines for a distinctive, organic aesthetic. Alternatively, opt for a bespoke commission for a mini masterpiece you'll be lucky enough to don day after day as a stylish signifier of the Cornish seascape - and your love.
Emily's sculptural wedding bands cost from �260, while her stone encrusted bands start from �615. Call 01736 887599 or visit emilynixon.com for more information.
MIRRI DAMER
You'll find Mirri Damer's shop and studio nestled amidst a huddle of shops in the maritime town of Falmouth. Here, she works just footsteps from the coastline that inspires her exquisite works of art.
Training in sculpture at Chelsea College of Art, Mirri's sculptures have been exhibited at ICA London, Cornerhouse Manchester and various other galleries around the country. It was jewellery, however, that soon captured her imagination and, after studying at Sir John Cass Faculty of Art in London, she began working as a jeweller, being employed by an internationally acclaimed designer as a maker, then a designer. On relocating to Cornwall, she started her own business and has garnered a number of awards for her creations.
Drawing inspiration from the ever-changing moods of the Cornish landscape, Mirri translates the majesty of nature into precious jewellery. "The jewellery that I design and make is a result of recording what I see while walking on the Cornish coast. The beauty in nature provides endless inspiration for me," she comments. Her signature style is unique and understated, which, she says "gives my jewellery an earthy preciousness that eschews perfection and celebrates freedom!"
Her bespoke designs are particularly popular with previous clients including Dawn French and Falmouth University. Visit Mirri in her Falmouth shop to view her range of rings and discuss the possibilities of a unique and beautifully covetable piece speckled with diamonds or a kaleidoscope of coloured gemstones.
Mirri's silver rings start from £110, while her 9ct gold rings start from £480. Call 01326 619817 or visit mirridamer.com for more information.
Alternatively, shop the coveted wedding collection for anything from a sterling silver stackable ring to a bang on-trend octagon cut rectangular stone in gorgeous blush pink morganite or a rose gold band with a black zircon stone.
For couples keen for something dazzlingly different and oozing charisma, "BMM is about creating your own legend. An epic mix of statement pieces, romantic gestures, congratulatory and celebratory milestone treasures, alongside smaller, more intricate textures and layers - each new piece adds a chapter to your legend and another memory to pass on in your coveted jewellery box to the next generation."
Silver rings start from £40 and gold rings from £160. Call 01872 500070 or visit bloodymarymetal.com for more information.
ERIN COX
Erin Cox crafts her utterly gorgeous jewellery from her Castle Street studio in the heart of historic Exeter. Erin studied at the prestigious Sir John Cass Department of Art at London Guildhall University and has since continued to nurture her talent and maintain her passion for jewellery design and making, which is evident in every lust-have piece.
Considering elements of colour, depth and texture, Erin's designs are inspired by the Devon moorland and seascapes that surround her, along with a myriad of other inspirations drawn as much from the sublime as the every day, including the delicate gills and root-systems of mushrooms from a recent foraging trip.
As she highlights, "anyone open to the creative process - who will be collaborative, listen, genuinely be excited about the process and being involved in it", is someone - like Erin - who will produce the best, most uniquely individual pieces to covet a lifetime.
What's more, Erin ethically sources her precious metals and stones, and every item features fair-trade materials along with a hallmark of authenticity. Her list includes fair-mined gems, fair-trade gold and ethically sourced pearls from small-scale farms in the South Pacific.
A glimpse of Erin's collection reveals a treasure trove of molten textured rings and designs speckled with diamonds and gemstones, as well as truly exquisite engagement rings embellished with single diamonds and kaleidoscopic gems.
Whether you have specific requirements regarding stone, design and colour scheme or are looking to remodel a family heirloom or vintage piece, Erin's "honest process" creates a unique ring that beautifully represents you as a couple and your story.
Commissions start from £250 and all other prices are on the website. Silver jewellery starts at £35, gold approximately £150, with wedding rings starting from £169. erincox.co.uk
words Hannah May
Copyright Wed magazine 2017
.png)
.jpg)