Process
All pieces are handmade for you in my solar-powered studio in East Sussex, UK. Starting in the form of wax, each piece is carved and then sent to be cast into silver or gold.
How each piece comes to life
Every RSJ piece begins as an original wax carving, a made-to-order design or a bespoke idea created with you. Wax carving is at the heart of my artistry. It is a slow, hands-on process where each detail is shaped by instinct, patience and feeling, giving every piece its own character before it is transformed into precious metal. Some pieces are ready to ship, while others are made especially for you.
One-offs only
I make all my jewellery by hand, using the lost-wax casting method and traditional techniques.
Lost-wax casting is the process whereby a molten metal (silver or gold) is poured into a mould that has been created by means of a wax model.
Once the mould is made, the wax model is melted and drained away, leaving behind the cast piece. This will then be finished in my studio, which entails polishing, sizing, reshaping and stone setting.
The full process usually looks like this:
-The design is carved by hand in wax
-The wax is sent to be cast in recycled silver or gold
-The raw casting is cleaned, shaped and refined in my studio
-Stones are set where required
-The piece is polished, checked, finished and packaged
-Where required pieces are sent for hallmarking before dispatch
This means your jewellery is not mass-produced or machine-perfect. Variations in texture, shape and finish are part of the character of the work, and are what make each piece unique or what I call “unrepeatable”.
Art Jewellery
Unrepeatable Pieces
Each piece is carved individually, so the textures, marks and details will naturally vary.
This is why I describe my work as “unrepeatable”. A piece can be made in a similar spirit, but never as an exact duplicate.
I never use wax moulds or masters (which can be used to create multiples of one item) as I love the idea of producing something that has never existed before.
Materials
All pieces are cast in 100% recycled silver or gold. I care about reducing waste, avoiding overproduction and making jewellery that is designed to be kept and treasured over time.
The gemstones I use are sourced from trusted suppliers who prioritise fair working practices, transparency and responsible mining standards. Full traceability is not always possible for every coloured gemstone, but I source as carefully and openly as I can.
I am also increasingly using recycled gemstones, carefully removed from vintage or nearly new jewellery and supplied by certified sellers of recycled gems. These stones are 100% genuine, high quality and carefully chosen for the piece being made.
Hallmarking
Where legally required, precious metal pieces are sent to a UK Assay Office for hallmarking before they are dispatched. A hallmark is an independent mark confirming the metal type and fineness of the piece. Some smaller pieces may fall below the legal hallmarking weight and ready to ship pieces will not always be hallmarked, but I will always describe the metal honestly and clearly.
How long does it take?
Ready-to-wear pieces are usually dispatched between 1-5 days (if you require a resize please contact me to discuss this option first before purchasing), while made-to-order and bespoke pieces take longer because they are created individually. Timeframes can vary depending on casting, stone setting, hallmarking and the complexity of the design.
Estimated timings will be shown on product pages where possible, and bespoke timeframes will be discussed during the consultation stage.
If you would like a finished piece, explore the ready-to-wear collection.
If you love a design but would like it made in your size or preferred metal, browse made-to-order pieces.
If you would like your own bespoke RSJ piece, read all about the Bespoke Service I offer.
Sign-up
Get 10% off all Ready to Wear pieces and recieve emails about the new collections and sales from Rachel Strange Jewellery.