Wooden Jewellery Update

On May 16, I wrote about Justin Duances wooden jewellery. I sang the praises of his stylish creations featuring wood inlaid with silver and vice versa. Well, I was so impressed with the images on his website, I decided to put my money where my reviewer's mouth is and buy a piece!

As fortune would have it, it was my wife's birthday yesterday. Usually, I hit the High Street jewellers and buy something exorbitantly expensive with diamonds. Like most blokes I guess I assume that spending loads is best. My logic being that, even if she doesn't like it, at least she can swoon over the swanky price tag. Not that I would ever tell her what it cost. Which, in turn, means you have to buy something that looks every bit as expensive as it is, with only a sideways nod to good taste!



So this year I thought better. I suspected I was getting a little predictable. And, anyway, she might actually have better things to do with that sort of money. So I decided to stick my neck out and buy something I really liked, regardless of the less impressive price tag. I plumped for the 'Small oak pebble pendant inlaid with two lines of silver on a silver snake chain' - see picture. And, have to say was in no way disappointed. This pendant looks even better in the flesh and it arrived very promptly too. My admiration for Justin's work has only increased!

Cornish Crafted Jewellery

When thinking of jewellery, most of us will be imagining something in gold or silver, perhaps with the benefit of a little sparkle from diamonds or some other precious stone. Thankfully, Justin Duance is not like most of us. For he dreams up amazing jewellery - made of wood!




I know, we've all seen wooden jewellery before. But, Justin's work is on another level. There's none of the lazy rustic 'charm' of the folksy stuff that's two a penny at craft fairs. (And, with Justin being based down in Cornwall, I suspect it would be easy for him to fall into that particular trap). Nor is this jewellery cast from the 'me big chief' mass-produced but superficially ethnic mould. No, this is an altogether more grown-up and accomplished product.


The range includes pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings - yes rings with beautiful warm bands of wood contrasting with clinical
silver. All are a joy to be hold.




The gorgeous organic pebble-shapes used in the bracelets and pendants are so naturally perfect. They could just as easily have been made from the ebb and flow of the tide over millions of years, just like the real thing. And, that's the real beauty of this range. It seems almost accidental. Like is has not been designed so much as occurred from some natural process. And the result is, naturally, amazing.

Visit his website to find out more about Justin Duance's silver and wood jewellery.