Tag Archives: handcrafted

Eudialyte and Sterling Silver Pendant

I created this pendant for my dear friend Morgan some years ago. It was my first foray into creating schnörkels (my teachers have a German heritage, and at school that’s what are these things sometimes known as curlicues!) The gemstone is a piece of eudialyte from North Russia.

Looking back at it, I can see many imperfections. I think we’re all hypercritical of our own work, but this one in particular is very homemade to me. However, Morgan claims to love it still, and imperfections are all part of the learning curve, after all!!

I wonder if everyone looks back on their earlier work with a certain amount of cringeworthiness. Authors, actors, artists, musicians – we’re all putting ourselves out there in some way! Still, I created this with my own two hands (and some metal and stone 🙂 ), and that must be something to be proud of.

Twin Hearts

Twin hearts.. made for the lovely mummy of twins!!

I wanted these hearts to be a little bit unusual.

Dendritic Quartz Ring

For his 16th birthday, I told my son, Liam, that I would custom make him his own ring.

He chose this gorgeous piece of dendritic quartz, which I set in sterling silver for him.

Beautiful and blokey all at the same time!

Haematite Pendant

I made this haematite pendant for Judy, my mother-in-law, as a birthday present.

It’s quite a statement piece!

Sodalite Earrings

I made these sodalite earrings for my sister. She wanted a pair of blue earrings that were dangly but plain. These were one of the first pieces I made that bore a strange resemblance to something else… it became a running joke at my school! So… what do these remind you of?

Garnet Drop Earrings

I made these garnet drop earrings for my mum, Jeannie.

They were one of the first times I had ever set faceted stones, so they were quite a learning experience.

I recently remodelled them, to make them dangle a bit more freely.

Topaz Flannel Flower Pendant

I created this topaz and sterling silver pendant for Margaret, my grandmother.

I had in mind the flannel flower when I designed it. They’re so pretty!

Handcrafting Sterling Silver Jewellery

Smithing jewellery for yourself or for other people is a wonderful thing to do. The process of creation encompasses all kinds of aspects, from daydreaming, art drawing, design; to the more physical metal preparation, sawing, filing, emerying, soldering, hammering, bending. Very zen!

The Silver Forge – Unique Handcrafted Custom Sterling Silver and Gemstone Jewellery

Welcome! The Silver Forge is a small independent business in which I make my unique sterling silver jewellery available to purchase. Handcrafted earrings, rings, pendants; custom bespoke gemstone jewellery commissions are all available.

All my pieces are made entirely by hand using traditional methods and hand tools in my own studio at home. Each piece starts life as a throw of silver, which is turned into either sheet or wire by rolling and/or drawing. From there, anything is possible!

I welcome any enquiries, feedback and constructive criticism – and of course purchases if anything takes your fancy. I am happy to take custom orders for any jewellery in silver or gold you would like made, and I’d be pleased to work with you to create with a design for your dream piece.

My great-great-great grandfather, my great-great uncle and my great-grandfather were blacksmiths, so I like to think that I’m carrying on the family smithing tradition in a small way!

the silver forge

jewellery handcrafted by ruthie gray