My Bench: Hazel Oxborough

SIGNATURE PIECE:

(JULIET ROSE)
 

Juliet Rose is named after the ‘sweet Juliet’ - the rarest rose in the world. The uniqueness of the carved pink tourmaline made it the perfect centrepiece. I created the cluster shapes of the leaves using tsavorite garnets and the peach sapphires and spinels are the blossoming rosebuds. The underside represents the stem and leaves, recreating the 3D element of the natural rosebush.

FAVOURITE GEMSTONE: Padparadscha Sapphire.

FAVOURITE METAL: 18-carat white gold.

FAVOURITE TOOL: Barette Needle File and Design Templates.

BEST NEW TOOL DISCOVERY: Oval Doming Block.

BEST PART OF THE JOB: Designing and sketching.

WORST PART OF THE JOB: Polishing compound ending up on your face.

BEST TIP FROM A JEWELLER: Each step is only as good as the one before.

BEST TIP TO A JEWELLER: Trust yourself; it’s okay to make mistakes.

BIGGEST HEALTH CONCERN ON THE BENCH: Polishing compound and silicon wheel dust causing lung problems.

LOVE JEWELLERY BECAUSE: It is wearable art. The materials are beautiful and unique, and the design possibilities are endless.