Jewellery as Art

Southern Cross for Kickstarter slideshow

2019-03-14T19:51:00.001-07:00

Southern Cross for Kickstarter slideshow

Ruby and Ribbon

2018-09-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

This was a Custom Design for a valued Client. The small Ruby had sentimental value and the "Double Ribbon" effect suggests continuence, strength and completeness. The heavily "marked" finish really brought the Ruby to life and highlighted the doubled effect.

www.southwindsilver.com

Nickel Content

2018-08-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

A recent article took my eye with importance to all Jewellery and accessories wearers.

Scratching at the Surface by Bianca Mangion

The incidences of Nickel allergy are increasing, with consumers sporting ever more jewellery and piercings.

Nobody knows exactly how many people suffer from Allergic Contact Dermatitis (or Nickel Allergy): however it would be a rare Jeweller who hasn't had a Customer mention the problem.

The inappropriate use of nickel is a worldwide problem and responses such as " Oh I can't wear this, I am allergic" are fairly commonplace.

In Simple Terms:
any nickel allergy arises when skin is exposed to nickel ions, particles that are created when the nickel in your Earring or Belt Buckle, made using nickel metal or an alloy containing nickel, is corroded by contact with the acids and salts in our skin.

Like any allergy, thresholds differ from person to person, but overall the skin is permeable to nickel ions. When they penetrate the skin, the body recognises these ions as foreign bodies leading to the creation of memory cells which facilitate a reaction to nickel when subsequent exposures are high enough.

This means that one is not born with a nickel allergy, it develops through contact with nickel and once your body has created the "memory " cells, you will react to nickel for the rest of your life.

There are many medical journal articles devoted to understanding what happens when someone experiences initial sensitisation. Subsequent exposure to nickel ions can lead to: dermatitis, inflammation, eczema, and blisters!

In chronic sufferers reactions can be brought on by the nickel content of foods such as Chocolate, Oatmeal, Peas, Beans, Lentils, Tea and Coffee. Frequent contact with Coins and Cutlery can cause hand rashes and eczema.

Because direct and prolonged contact between the skin and the nickel containing object is the quickest way to trigger an allergic reaction, the greatest single cause of nickel sensitisation is thought to be body piercing.

A study by Swedish Dermatologist Alexander Fisher determined that 95 per cent of nickel-sensitised women had pierced ears. However Jewellery is not the only factor and factors such as hormone differences are believed to play a part.

Australian Body Piercing Artist Peter Sherringham believes that the incidence of Nickel Allergies have been reduced but he is concerned that the glut of poor quality products may see a marked increase in the coming years.

What can you do?:

Avoid plated jewellery:
This includes a "nickel flash" which some manufacturers use to add shine to their product.
9kt Plated products.
Nickel Plated Sterling Silver.
Nickel plated brass.

Avoid white Gold as it can contain as much as 7per cent Nickel to increase colour and hardness.

Watches: occaisionally the Stainless Steel used for the back of the watch may fall below the " corrosion resistance" level.

Belts: Try to ensure that your bulky Belt Buckle does not touch your skin. Better to purchase a Belt with a Brass Buckle than a Nickel Plated one.

Try to ensure that an bulk manufactured Jewellery that you purchase, where the surface will touch your skin is marketed as Nickel free.

Purchase your earrings from a Jeweller who makes his/her own hooks and findings. It is easy to see if the hooks are stamped and if they are shaped differently. Note that many Jewellery crafters simply buy in pre-made hooks with little or no idea of the comosition.

Art is where the heart is

2017-01-22T21:58:00.001-08:00

This SteamPunk Heart was especially made for a client using the Black Onyx from her Fathers signet Ring.

He had worn this signet every day of her life, so when he passed away she needed me to create something individual that she could wear that would remind her of her Father.
This was my solution.

The Chain pictured is from one of my earliest collections of Albert Fob Chains. It has been worn consistently over many years, but the addition of this heart has given it new life.

The Heart, details and settings are made in Sterling Silver with the Dial, Battery and Earth Strap in Brass. The whole, including the PaperClip style Albert has been Oxidised.

Memories

2015-11-26T11:53:00.001-08:00

A client brought in her Grandmothers Wedding Ring and asked to have it made in to a Pendant to wear every day to keep her memories close at hand.

This is the result.

www.24sevenjewellers.com

Your Jewellery tells your story

2015-10-17T20:47:00.001-07:00

Make sure your Jewellery tells the story of YOUR life, not someone else's.

EarWings, Ear Climbers...

2015-09-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

I have finally gotten around to re-photographing my EarWing Collection on the Ear.
In the past this was just too difficult as the model's ears would get red and swollen within a few changes of earrings.(Try it at home!)
This time I created a life sized photograph, backed with rubber to create the 3D aspect of an ear and away we go. No complaints about rough handling of the model, No gentle massaging of the models ego. Just me and my Art!

This design is one of my original EarWing series. The waves intended to reflect both ancient Celtic Culture and our own Cultures relationship with the sea.

www.24sevenjewellers.com

Cultural Significance

2015-09-11T21:31:00.001-07:00

Custom made for a Pacific Island family to present to a son coming of age.

This pendant, hand carved in Sterling Silver, depicts a traditional tool that is presented at "coming of age" the tool is normally made of wood and is used for a variety of traditional tasks.

I hung this from a simple hand made cable chain.

www.24sevenjewellers.com

Down by the Sea

2015-06-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

This Ring Shaped after a piece of Shell found on our Local Beach and constructed in Sterling Silver allows the wearer to exclaim her love of Nature to the whole World.

The Ring sits comfortably on the finger and does not protrude to far for everyday wear.

I have also made this with Gemstones set on one side in a 9kt Gold rub-over setting to compliment the organic nature of the Ring.

Peridot Oxidised Ring

2015-05-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

This Sterling Silver Ring with Peridot and 9kt Yellow gold trim is made using a technique called Reticulation. It requires great skill to cause the outer surface of the silver to "melt and bubble" without melting the entire Ring.
The entire Ring is then Oxidised to darken the surface and highlight the irregularities.
In this Ring the Peridot is also set in a 9kt Yellow Gold setting.

See:
www.philipthornton.co.nz
www.24sevenjewellers.com

2014-02-19T18:34:00.002-08:00

To view this delightful Shibori collar, sapphire and ruby by

CHRISTINE HAFERMALZ-WHEELER

click here
- - -
An elegant band of 18ct gold in Christine’s favoured Shibori technique, threaded with a string of sapphire and ruby. Diamonds garnish the whole. Sumptuous!

Christine works from her Gallery at Oneroa, Waiheke Island New Zealand

To contact her regarding work or to visit the Gallery:

Telephone: (+64) 9 372 7509
Mobile: (+64) 21 817 209
Email: chw@TheArtistGoldsmith.com
Skype: TheArtistGoldsmith
Facebook: TheArtistGoldsmith

I also loved this Ring made from.....the Client's mother's wedding band, two pearls from an oyster feast and a diamond that had TWICE been lost and found! How special is that!

Second Chance Broach

2014-02-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

From Peter Deckers at Fingers Gallery

Fingers Gallery was established in 1974 to provide an outlet for those Jewellery Makers who's jewellery really are works of Art.

Peter calls this piece "Second Chance".

Organic Flotsam Bracelet

2014-02-05T14:12:00.001-08:00

Sterling Silver Bracelet from Fingers Gallery, opposite the Auckland City Art Gallery in Kitchener St, Auckland

Created by Roy Mason, using the lost wax casting technique, Roy has created highly individual links to form this very organic looking Bracelet which he calls "Flotsam".

A comb for your hair...

2014-02-04T21:35:00.003-08:00

This selection is the work of Pie Sanchez, a pupil at Florence Jewellery School, Jewel on the Arno, run by Kiwi Jeweller Kenneth Scott.

To see Ken Scott's work go to:

www.kenscottdesign.com

Rose Studs from the Rose Collection

2014-02-03T22:11:00.000-08:00

From the website: www.philipthornton.co.nz

The latest addition to my Roses Collection. These tiny Studs are about 1cm diameter and like the rest of this collection they are built up of layers of Sterling Petals with a Red Gold Stamen.

Tui and Tuatara

2013-12-31T20:48:00.001-08:00

New Zealand's native Birds and animals are a Constant source of inspiration.

These tiny Tuatara encircle a wrist with elegance and grace.

The native Tui brings joys to everyone as he/she wings around the garden singing and chortling with happiness.

Both of these items are sculptured in Sterling Silver and are available from Philip Thornton at Silverdale Village Market

or online at:

www.24sevenjewellers.co.nz

SteamPunk tech

2013-11-01T01:42:00.001-07:00

SteamPunk is not just about using old watch cogs and wheels.

To me it's about technology, new and old. It's about the idea of technology, about where we have been and where we are going to.

With this in mind I give you......

16GB USB drive encased in Sterling Silver and copper hand made SteamPunk casing by Philip Thornton Jeweller. See his work here: www.philipthornton.co.nz and here: www.24sevenjewellers.com

DaniGirl Jewellery at Silverdale Market.

2013-07-26T17:54:00.001-07:00

Punk Art

2013-05-23T00:02:00.001-07:00

Steam Punk Earrings. Part of a selection available from Philip Thornton's Market Stalls:
Silverdale Market every Saturday 8am to 1pm
Puhoi Market Last Sunday every Month 9am to 1pm
Coatesville Market First Sunday every Month 10am to 2pm
or from www.24sevenjewellers.co.nz

Hand Forged Kite Earrings

2013-04-10T22:47:00.003-07:00

Each Kite is finished with a burred or brushed pattern on the face and signed on back. These are quite a long Drop, so they are a real indicator of your collector Status.
Hand Forged in Sterling Silver by Philip Thornton and available from:
www.philipthornton.co.nz
www.etsy.com

Silverdale Market, Silverdale St Silverdale(Auckland N.Z.)
Art of this World, Devonport, Auckland

Antique Copper Heart Pendant

2013-04-04T20:47:00.001-07:00

Hand Forged Heart Ornament made from aged copper sandwiched between two layers of hand beaten Sterling Silver.
The layers are attached to each other with tiny rivets as are the tabs that attach the pendant to the hand forged Paper Clip style chain.
The reverse of the pendant is solid Sterling Silver, so that the copper ornamentation will not discolour your skin or clothing.

Available online from www.philipthornton.co.nz

or Philip's stalls at Silverdale Market, Saturday 8am to 1pm or Coatesville Market, 1st Sunday of the month 10am to 2pm.

Bold and Beautiful

2013-01-30T14:47:00.003-08:00

These have been the most outstandingly popular design from Philip's recent "Bold and Beautiful" Range. Available in Shiny as shown, Heavily Beaten finish and Matt Beaten finish, Philip has recently added a Pendant to match any of the finishes on a Nitrol Necklace.
Nitrol is a magic modern product which is used for washers and seals in car engines. It is acid proof, heat proof and oil proof, so it stands up to all of those things the body throws at it and unlike silk or cotton cords, does not break down, nor fill up with body oils and become stiff and smelly. Philip cuts it to whatever necklace lengths you desire and fits Sterling Silver fittings. www.philipthornton.co.nz

Gothic Glory

2013-01-03T02:00:00.001-08:00

Skull icons are making their appearance everywhere this season. They adorn handbags and shoes, scarves and shirts and costume jewellery of every kind. Philip has designed some gorgeous skull earrings and rings to compliment this theme including a range after Munch's "scream".
www.philipthornton.co.nz

Connected Rings

2012-11-01T22:44:00.002-07:00

by Spiral Stone.
'Connected'. A collection of nine rings, recycled sterling silver and stones.
From the Facebook Page of "FeatuRing"

Reliquary

2012-10-22T18:58:00.002-07:00

Reliquary

This is a pair of Reliquaries made by Philip Thornton from Sterling Silver and finished with Rose Gold infinity symbols.

Normally sold as singles, complete with screw fitting in bottom to reveal the hollow cylinder in which you can keep a memento of someone you love, or a message or other item you wish to treasure and preserve.

Worn on a ribbon or chain around the neck this is a memento you can keep with you wherever you go. www.philipthornton.co.nz