Alice Made This is a British jewellery house known for its artisanal approach to fusionist design. For example, many of its minimalist pieces for both men and women are precision turned by aerospace engineers in Hertford and hand-finished in the company’s London-based studio. The brand has just released its Water collection, a delicate but eye-catching series of necklaces, chokers, bracelets and earrings. The name not only alludes to the shape of the beads, which look like giant rain drops, but to the making process itself: a zero-waste method using salvaged silver from the age-old process of lost wax casting. In essence, the residual silver is collected, melted down and dropped into water to create the beads that you see here. The ethical aspect is a secret that is yours to keep or share: you would never know there’s anything “reconditoned” about these jewels - they simply speak of luxury.
Interested in personalised gifts? Avoid the unimaginative monogram and go for something a bit more special this year. Rachel Jackson is a London-based jeweller who specialises in affordable pieces with a spiritual slant. Her zodiac coins (available on earrings, necklaces and bracelets from £45) are both talismanic and stylish, while lockets in either sterling silver or 22ct gold vermeil can be filled with a scoop of tiny birthstones. Indeed, the Birthstone Amulet holds a special place in the designer’s heart. She said: “It was inspired by a gift I received from a friend whilst travelling many years ago in Brazil. In Brazil the amulets are filled with salt and used as a protective talisman; we fill ours with birthstones, and you can choose up to four [stones] for different loved ones in your life, so you can keep them close to you, always.”
Loquet make beautiful gold lockets that can be filled with precious mini charms - everything from diamond alphabet letters and shooting stars to ruby watermelon slices to enamel painted avocados. A Christmas special has to be a brand new locket designed in partnership with two creative talents: the author/illustrator Charlie Mackesy best known for his thought-provoking and internationally acclaimed book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and the innovative jewellery designer Chantal Conrad whose latest Lumiere concept involves artfully embedding miniature lenses within pendants. The Charlie Mackesy x Lumiere for Loquet London locket is a little piece of wearable art to cherish: look through a tiny aperture at the top of the pendant and you will see one of five of Mackesy’s illustrations extracted from his book - we’re not sure how it’s done but it’s truly magical. Each pendant is engraved with Charlie’s signature kiss “X” and will be sold with a 9ct heart link chain. Only 50 of these pieces are being made with 50% of sales profits going to Harley Jae South Charity for children with life limiting and life changing conditions.
How about some twinkly stars this Christmas? Istanbul-based designer Melis Goral draws inspiration from her culture as well as from the Art Deco movement throwing precious gems including diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies into the mix. There’s a personal touch to every collection: for example, “Guardian” is her rendition of the apotropaic “evil eye”, a layered almond-shaped gold pendant with an iris of diamonds and a pupil formed of turquoise. Stars like those seen in her Luna collection pictured here, hold special significance for the designer: “I love using the five pointed star Sirius in my designs because it is the brightest star in heavens and symbolises luck.”
New to the jewellery scene is Once, the world’s first dedicated platform for fine jewellery. The e-commerce site has set the bar high with an impressive line-up of iconic design houses and coveted jewellery-makers, among them Boodles, Dauphin, Jade Jagger, Loquet London and Bibi van der Velden. The team has also cherrypicked some delightful rising stars including Paris-based Anaïs Rheiner, whose charming gem-set creations sound as appealing as they look - see her wonderfully knobbly Luminous Heart/Vision/Water rings, above. Shop by category, price or designer - or, if you prefer a more personalised approach, enlist the help of an online concierge. The site’s online magazine is well worth a read. Here you’ll find interviews with jewellery pioneers and innovators including British maximalists Theo Fennell and Elizabeth Gage, as well as informative articles dedicated to the art of understanding diamonds and gold.
Charms start at £30, necklaces from £350; Anaïs Rheiner pieces, £745-£9,900; youronce.com
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