I’m very grateful that Jane and Richard have been loyal customers for a long time. I wanted to share their story, as they’ve bought various pieces over the years, some commissioned in secret, others created in collaboration, and most recently a repurposing project using Jane’s precious family jewellery. Here’s their his and hers love story, told in their own words…
Jane’s story
I first met Jo at Cockpit’s Holborn Christmas show in 2010. I immediately fell in love with her geometric shapes and spaces created within her aesthetic.
I clearly remember trying a Cushion ring and feeling a bit sad that it really didn't suit me. I was, however, spurred on to make an appointment with the intention of commissioning a ring, with gems, that would not look like an engagement ring.
It was by complete coincidence that I noticed the re-purposing projects on Jo’s website. For some time I’d been wondering what I could do with some jewellery that my mother had given me. There was her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which my father had bought second hand in the 1960’s, which she didn't wear after she remarried. There was also a ruby and diamond brooch that was an already re-purposed ring, whose origins she can no longer remember. I didn't wear either item and that seemed like such a shame.
Jane’s unworn heirloom pieces.
Having explored all the re-purposing stories on Jo’s website, an idea began to form that some of the stones would be perfect for a set of stacking rings and possibly some earrings. I made contact with Jo, sent some photos of the pieces and arranged another appointment at her Deptford studio.
The design process was as enjoyable and collaborative as I remembered from my last visit. Jo thought the larger gems would stack well and some of the small diamonds set into a band would complement them as the third ring. I chose three different band styles including a half parquet to link back to my own engagement and wedding bands. This left two small rubies and three small diamonds for the earrings.
Releasing their stones from the heirloom pieces.
When it came to selecting a design for the earrings none of the options I looked at felt quite right. I had however, spotted a stunning necklace on Jo’s work bench that she’d been working on at the time (turns out it was Joan’s necklace, read her story here), it was unfinished but I loved the Chaos Hex patterns in it. In the end, I opted for earrings inspired by those Chaos Hex patterns and the ‘drop’ form of the Open Hex earrings I received for my 60th.
CAD drawings of the ring designs.
The next step was working out how to incorporate the gems. Jo played around with the gem placement and discovered that the sapphire’s qualities could be enhanced by setting it upside down. This was wonderfully appropriate given that my mother and I are Australian.
Jo sent me technical drawings to consider, along with the final drawings for the rings.
The raw casts.
There were many options for the stones within the earrings, I decided on an asymmetric setting to emphasise the fact that the stones came from different pieces.
Janes new earrings.
I LOVE the resulting new-from-old pieces. I had been worried about showing them to my mother, as I hadn’t discussed my repurposing plans with her at all. When I visited her in Canberra recently I took the rings and I’m pleased to say that my concerns were completely unwarranted, mum was thrilled I’d had her jewellery made into something I could wear. She was particularly impressed by the upside down sapphire and how blue it looked. I’m looking forward to showing her the earrings on my next visit.
The new ring stack.
These pieces hold special significant to me because the sapphire engagement ring was given to my mother from my father who had then died, a few years later. It is a wonderful thing for me to be able to wear that token of their love, but in a way that is personal to me.
Richard’s story
When Jane and I met, I was intrigued by the Chaos ring that she wore. So when her big birthday came along shortly afterwards, I wanted to ask Jo to make something similarly eye catching.
Janet’s 50th birthday necklace and 60th birthday earrings.
After some clandestine meetings with Jo and deliberations about what she might be able to produce, I settled on an open Hex pendant in warm white gold with a number of brown diamonds set into it. The overall result was delightful, with a touch of sparkle. Fortunately for me, Jane loved it!
When we decided that we would marry, there was never any doubt that we would ask Jo to make our rings. We both loved Jo’s Parquet rings and chose double bands, mine in one piece and Jane's in two; an engagement ring that interlocked with a wedding ring. We both adore them. Though we found that Jane's rings didn’t cope well with weightlifting and have needed a bit of adjustment - they now stay away from the gym!
Jane and Richards Parquet commitment rings.
When Jane's next big birthday was imminent, I asked Jo to make a pair of earrings to match the pendant. More clandestine meetings followed. As the size needed to be smaller, it was initially a bit of a challenge, but fortunately Jo worked out how to use the centre part of the pendant as the design. The most stressful part for me was working out what length of dangle there should be. It’s hard to work out these details when you’re organising a surprise gift! Happily, ten minutes of Maggie modelling various options led us to an answer. All went well and Jane was delighted, albeit not entirely surprised, to receive the earrings.
Hopefully there will be more big birthdays, so what next?!