In 1996, on a whim, I engraved a snail and a lettuce leaf onto a cherry stone. Maybe I was also curious to see what could be done with this material. I liked it and made more over time. At some point I began to see the stones as an allegory. They became a symbol of simultaneity of beginning and ending in the cycle of life. Just like a plant grows from a seed. It blooms and develops a fruit that carries the seed from which a plant will grow…
I liked this idea and thought it would be nice to transcribe it into wearable jewelry.
But how long would a piece of jewelry made of natural cherry pits survive? How long would it resist humidity and other factors? Would they even sprout in the end? Also because the shell is debilitated by the engraving.
A goldsmith desires to create pieces for eternity so I decided to transform the engraved natural cherry pits into golden ones. In the traditional process of nature casting, the woody cherry stones are burned out in a plaster mould. The resulting cavity is then filled with liquid gold. The original stone is forever lost in fire – but it appears anew in golden splendor.
One more idea I liked – Transformation
To this day numerous cherry stones passed through my hands. I made bracelets, necklaces, earrings or cufflinks out of them – and each piece is very personal and unique. My customers specify the subject matter of the engraved motifs. Images, symbols or signs which have a special meaning for them. Abstract or narratively, almost every idea can find its space. Only the cherry stone sets the limits by its nature and texture.
It always starts with the choice according to size, shape and quality. Each cherry stone is different and some varieties are not appropriate for engraving. After purifying them I start engraving the stones using a microscope. The design evolves “alla prima” on both sides. I need to be gentle. It´s in the nature of the material that parts could crack and so I would have to start all over again.
The casting is the next step…
…and if it has been successful, the golden stones get reworked and prepared for the upcoming process of enameling.
Enamel is one of the most fascinating techniques of my craft. Strictly factual it's just a lasting bond between glass and metal. But to me, as a passionate designer and craftsman, it's always a mystery. The special moment when the molten glass comes out of fire, when the colors gradually start to glow while cooling, that moment is intoxicating. Then all the effort this challenging technique requires is forgotten.
Using a fine brush, I apply the crushed and grinded glass powder onto the cherry stones. Then it will be melted onto gold in the fire of the furnace. After cooling it has to be sanded if necessary and the next layer of enamel will be applied. I repeat these steps until the result makes me happy.
After that procedure it´s necessary to rework all the cherry stones one more time.
At the end I put the single pieces together for a bracelet or a chain.
…but in the meantime, why not a pendant made of a heart-shaped almond stone?
A bracelet with Sagittarius sign.
Necklace made of white gold with diamonds and black enamel.
A bracelet variation of gold and diamonds.
A chain for the pocket watch.
Obverse - Revers
Both faces of same bracelet
