I have created two one-of-a-kind pieces for Studio Vault in Settle to showcase at their 10th anniversary jewellery exhibition ‘Inspired by the Yorkshire Landscape’.
My Cave Ring and Cave Strata Earrings were inspired by textural-line and erosion within Ingleborough cave. The finished designs will feature at the gallery alongside those of eleven other jewellers from 18 October 2025. Each jeweller has created new one-of-a-kind pieces responding to specific photographs of the local landscape provided by the gallery.
Ingleborough Cave
Studio Vault provided a selection of photographs to choose from and I was immediately drawn to this one of Ingleborough Cave. The cave can be found 500m beneath Ingleborough and the geology is defined by its location in a limestone region, where acidic rainwater dissolves the rock to form caves and formations. The cave itself is a former part of a subterranean system that was revealed when trapped water was released, allowing access to its sculpted passages and formations.
There was something about the deep tones and vertical layers of eroded strata which pulled me in. I could instantly envisage how these dark fissured lines might be embellished and highlighted with my signature gold granulation.
Process
I had actually been in the process of exploring a more linear series of pieces, so the cave imagery really spoke to me and informed this line of experimentation. I found that I had a really strong visual in my mind from the outset and for the desired effect the creative process needed to be quite free flowing and organic.
I went straight from sketches to working in metal which is a beautifully intuitive way to work. Oxidising the silver was transformative - revealing the deeper, darker aesthetic I was seeking in this design.
Cave Ring
A series of constructed elements form vertical strata lines encrusted with ultra-fine 18ct gold granulation. These were structured on a deep band of hand-forged oxidised-silver. There is a sense of darkness and light and depth and tone to the formation. The natural irregularity and contrast of the mixed metals was key to the look and feel.
Cave Strata Earrings
There was an exquisite depth of tone to the tourmalines I selected for these earrings. The intensity perhaps suggesting the ancient waters that formed the caves. Using oxidised silver and 18ct yellow gold I set the jewels nestled amidst mixed-metal granulation. The clusters were suspended from granule adorned linear tube elements, echoing the dramatic fissures within Ingleborough Cave.
The Exhibition
Studio Vault is passionate about selling hand crafted products, made by skilled artisans all over the world and sold in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. This special jewellery exhibition ‘Inspired by the Yorkshire Landscape’ marks their 10 year anniversary.
Settle Town Hall, Settle
North Yorkshire
BD24 9EJ
Open
Tue - Sat: 10:30am - 5:00pm
01729 268150