Last month I was asked to make a special pair of earrings for a customer using her own opals, bought on a trip to Port Douglas, Australia.
The customer wanted the earrings to reflect the Australian landscape as a reminder of her time spent in the country. This was something I could relate to as I spent 6 months studying in Perth, Western Australia as part of my Jewellery Degree. One thing that really stands out about the landscape of the country is the colour, the red earth is coloured by iron oxide produced over millions of years. As a reference to this colour we chose to set the Opals in Rose Gold, a strong contrast to the cool colours of the Opals.
The setting was carved by hand in wax before being cast and set. I chose a granulated, almost pointillist texture, both as a reference to the sandy textures found in the brushy landscape and as a reference to the Aboriginal art that often depicts the Australian landscape.
If you would like to get in touch with me about a commission or Bespoke piece, please email me at info@emmawylie.co.uk
