Alternative Materials in Jewelry.

Hello Sunday Readers,

Personal jewelry preferences used to be simple: platinum or gold and diamonds; rubies, emeralds, sapphires and some precious gemstones. No more. Today, high jewelry can include unconventional materials, they are many times combined with precious stones, like diamonds, rubies, and more.

A combination of unconventional materials transcends all boundaries of creativity giving birth of works of art.

The point is to mix precious metals with non-precious, to add components like wood, plastic, glass, resins, etc., and created unique and beautiful jewelry.

The contemporary jewelry is sourced from thousands of years of history and research and designers continue to use precious  metals  and  stones  as  the  essence  of  the product,  but renewing, reinventing and experimenting with  new materials,  techniques and concepts.  The result of this innovation is the surprising list of different materials, enabling the magnitude of shapes and designs.

An incredible example of this news techniques is the work of Vera Wei.

Vera’s pieces in the windows on Roncevalles at Jewel Envy are a display of imagination, fine work and unique design.

Vera Wei was born in China and then studied in the United States before completing her major in jewellery with a minor in photography in the Material Art and Design program at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada.

Vera Wei's Wood-ball Earrings.

Vera specializes in a minimalist approach while integrating mechanical and kinetic characteristics into her jewellery pieces. She loves combining alternative and traditional materials to produce jewellery pieces that redefine modernity and fashion.

                                     

Vera Wei's Origami Ring

She believes each piece of jewellery has a significant story embedded and it is up to the public and wearer to interpret the artists’ intention through observation, wear and touch.

Enjoy her incredible work and the work of the goldsmiths at Jewel Envy.

Have a nice Sunday

Helena