Uncovering the Stories and Craft behind the Jewellery Scene.

28 Oct

I've always been the kid with a thousand questions. "Why are we doing this?" "Who is that?" "Why does this matter?" Most people would say, "Just wait and see," or "Stop asking so many questions!" But I have yet to listen. I kept asking, always starting with, "Can I ask a question?"

That curiosity fuels my passion for the jewellery world, driving me to explore every branch of the industry and share what I find with others. When you're truly passionate about something, you want everyone else to feel it too. Meeting jewellery designers who opened up about their processes fascinated me; seeing how ideas go from sketch to sparkling reality through sheer imagination is endlessly inspiring.

I'm the person who goes to events or shops and asks, "What's your creative process? Where did the idea for this piece come from?" To me, it's not about uncovering secrets but understanding what makes each creator's work unique. It is mesmerizing to see how individual creativity takes so many forms. Though I've always seen myself as more analytical than creative, jewellery has unlocked my different side. Society often tells us we should fit into one box- math lover or artist, creative or logical. But why choose? Jewellery has shown me that it's possible to embrace both.

Listening to the stories of others in the field lights a fire in me; these stories drive me to want to make an impact one day. Sharing these behind-the-scenes moments deepens the connection people feel to a piece, intensifying their curiosity. After all, the unknown has a way of making the story even juicier, doesn't it?

Over brunch in London with my jewellery designer friend, Phawa, we dove into a conversation about what sets us apart in a saturated market. Why would someone choose our work over anyone else’s ? We laughed and realized it often comes down to taste- our unique eye for particular pieces and styles that stand out- I know we can sound very full of ourselves.

As I shared my vision for Jewellery Hard Feelings platform , Phawa expressed her frustration over how little people understand the rigour of the creative world. There’s this idea that a piece of jewellery magically appears after a few hours of work, but in reality, it’s a journey of long processes, testing, and endless research. As she spoke, she showed me her book of sketches, tests, and research from her BA days. I was in awe- totally captivated, her biggest fan. Her work is both fascinating and hilarious, and hearing the stories behind each piece makes the designs even more compelling.

Phawa shared some valuable questions she keeps in mind throughout her creative journey, which I’ll pass along to you:

What is this design?

Why is this design?

Who is it for?

How will you bring it to life?

Seeing the dedication and creativity behind each piece makes me appreciate the final product so much more. These untold stories make the journey beautiful, even when it’s not easy.

Doesn't learning about the journey behind a piece make it even more appealing and more relatable? Don't you want to hear where the stone was sourced? How the gold was melted and shaped? Why certain textures were chosen? Who were the cutter, the setter, and all the hands in between? Which shops were consulted, and which magazines were ripped apart for idea collages? Who inspired the design, and who served as a mentor?

Jewellery Hard-Feelings exists to reveal these hidden layers, inviting you to connect more deeply with each piece and the people behind it, the ones we often don't hear about. By sharing the full journey, we're building an authentic, transparent community around jewellery- where every story behind the sparkle is celebrated.