Meet some of the Caribbean’s finest “private jewellers”, who take pride in producing one-of-a-kind hand-crafted pieces. Using 24-carat gold and sterling silver as base materials, these designers produce jewellery that is unrivalled in artistry, finely crafted works that speak from the heart of the region.
Alchemy by Barbara Jardine and Rachel Ross
Alchemy is a collaboration between two Trinidadian jewellers, Barbara Jardine and Rachel Ross, who began working together in June 1997. The Alchemy collection consists of two lines. Alchemy 1 is a line of unique handmade pieces, combining traditional 18ct gold and precious gems with natural treasures like exotic rare woods, amber, mother o’ pearl and other natural treasures. The other more commercial line features original designs in sterling silver, 18ct gold, precious and semi-precious cabochons and facetted stones. Turtle shell and ivory are also employed from recycled antique items.
Barbara Jardine
• Attended the Central School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. Specialised in goldsmithing
• Received her degree and Anstruther Award
• Worked on private commissions and “objets trouvés”
• Has exhibited in London, Washington, Santa Fe and Rye
• Featured in Vogue and on BBC Television
• The Warrior, a bracelet carved in ebony and inlaid with fine silver and beetles’ wings, is on permanent display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London
Rachel Ross
• Studied Geology at the University of Western Ontario, Canada
• Became involved in jewellery making in 1982
• By 1984 had established her own studio, concentrating on individual, original pieces using copper, aluminium, and a variety of “found objects” like driftwood and seeds
• Has exhibited in Trinidad and Canada
• Featured in Vogue and Cosmopolitan
Photography by Woodbury & Associates
Deane-Hughes Designs
A design house in Guyana specialising in hand-crafted gold and sterling silver jewellery, as well as “functional art” — home furnishings such as lamps, lampshades, place mats, wall hangings.
• Founded by Elizabeth Deane-Hughes in 1991
• Arthur Thijm joins design house in 1996
• Has exhibited and sold pieces at the craft fair in Rotterdam, as well as at The Africa Centre, Covent Garden, London
Photos courtesy
Elizabeth Deane-Hughes
John “Ding” King
• Became involved in jewellery-making in 1975
• Is currently the resident goldsmith at Little Switzerland in Barbados
• Specialises in sculpting three-dimensional gold or silver sea creatures and insects. Also works with geodes and agates, making functional items such as small boxes and ornaments
• Enjoys blending high carat white and yellow gold into pieces
Photography by Eric Young