Adia Ginkyo

4 x 4 x 0.15 cm

rhodium plated 925 sterling silver with food-grade resin colored with crushed gemstones, emeralds, minerals, mica, and art pigments

I begin by drafting the leaf design and translating it into a 3D model using CAD Fusion 360 software. From there; I bring the design to life by 3D printing it using jeweller's resin. Once the resin model is perfected, I transition to the intricate process of lost wax casting to create the final piece in sterling silver.

To enhance durability and resistance to tarnishing, each finished earring is electroplated with rhodium to ensure durability and tarnish-resistant shine.

This last step is my favourite where the pieces come to life – I add color to each earring with food-grade resin blended with pigments, crushed minerals, and gemstones between the spaces of the design, resulting in a unique and captivating stained glass effect, and each piece is slightly unique.

Rosie Harris is a skilled goldsmith based in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, blending traditional jewelry-making techniques like lost wax casting with her technical prowess in CAD, honed during her tenure as an engineering technologist. With over two decades of experience and a blend of formal training and self-taught expertise, she crafts sterling silver and gold vermeil jewelry inspired by the rich landscapes of nature and the Pacific Northwest.

The showcased earrings began as sketches, evolving through CAD software into intricate 3D designs. These designs are then meticulously crafted into jewelry-specific resin, using the lost wax casting method to form sterling silver pieces. Each silver piece undergoes meticulous hand-finishing, including grinding of casting sprues and polishing with emery papers and a polishing wheel, resulting in a stunning high-shine mirror finish. A final touch involves electroplating with rhodium to achieve a tarnish-resistant finish and enhance colour.

The "Adia" and "Nanahana" designs draw inspiration from the resilient and healing ginkgo leaf, symbolizing longevity. Meanwhile, the "Naia" design depicts a circle of ocean waves, symbolizing growth, renewal, and transformation.

To craft truly remarkable designs that spark conversation, the artist incorporates food-grade resin infused with crushed gemstones, minerals, and pigments into the intricate spaces of the design. This infusion creates a captivating stained glass effect, enhancing the depth and allure of each piece.