Creating An Opal Ring & Pendant With Little Joy Jewellery

Let's get making!

Today we're thrilled to introduce you to one of our very talented customers and jewellery designer, Lauren Griffiths from Little Joy Jewellery! We invited Lauren to take part in a project using our beautiful opals - read below to find out what she created with these gemstones.

Opals are a popular gemstone and there are so many varieties to choose from! At Kernowcraft we offer opal cabochons, faceted stones, crystals and beads for jewellery making.

"It's important to me that each material I use within each piece of little Joy is responsibly sourced and to a high standard." - Lauren, Little Joy Jewellery

About the jeweller

Lauren Griffiths is an artisan jeweller maker and curator living and trading on the Isle of Wight. Trained as a fine art jewellery maker, Lauren achieved a BA Honours Silver & Gold-smithing degree in 2010 and founded Little Joy Jewellery in 2011.

Naturally seeking harmony and quality through her craftsmanship, Lauren applies traditional methods manipulating raw materials to produce modern, contemporary jewellery design. In her aspiration toward the creation of sensitive, subtle, and minimal pieces, Lauren crafts a delicate and unique aesthetic that is evident throughout her whole range of jewellery and bespoke designs.

As well as offering a comprehensive range of unique Little Joy Jewellery pieces, Lauren offers a bespoke commission service and carefully creates beautiful, modern jewellery design suitable for any occasion. Lauren is a Fairtrade-Certified Jeweller, and strongly believes in the responsible sourcing of raw materials for her craft.

Lauren creates designs using a marquise shaped solid white opal cabochon and a trillion shaped Ethiopian faceted opal

Planning your time efficiently

"The beginning of a studio day begins with lists! I make an organised timetable of my day.

"After having two babies my making time became quite limited and to save working all throughout the night to finish orders, I started timing myself on how long it took me to make certain components/pieces. This has not only helped my time efficiency, it has also helped me work out how much stock I can make each week for wholesale and also work out a recipe for a design process for any bespoke pieces.

"On receiving these beautiful opals I estimated they would take a full day in the studio so here you can see what I got up to!"

Sketching, measurements and tackling procrastinating

"The stones are accurately measured. I wanted to make two alternative pieces with these stones, so I decided upon a ring and a pendant to add to my layered pendant collection.

"Both pieces look beautiful against a golden glow so I am going to show you how I use fairtrade gold to make the pieces.

"First I spend a long time sketching and relating this idea to the body, thinking about the longevity of the designs and how they would be made and how they can be worn.

"After measurements are taken and a design reached, I commit to this idea to stop my self procrastinating which is a habit I fight with on a daily basis. I think it's more to do with confidence and the courage to commit to an idea.

"If it doesn't challenge me there no point making it - I love to learn and develop with each piece."

Creating the perfect setting

"Using gold sheet I produced the collets and refer to the stone at all stages to make sure it's a good fit.

"I don't want to over complicate the pendant as I want to show the tiny stone off to its full potential. I think it is wise that the collet setting will elevate the stone and give it a secure place to be set and be worn on a daily basis.

"This small piece will have a bit of weight to it so the movement when worn will help magnify the colours and vibrancy of this beautiful iridescent stone.

"For the ring design, I started with the same process. Drawing and measuring the stone to get an accurate idea of how to make it!

"I want the pieces to sit well next to each other so I decided to make it the same style collet. Both pieces will have a delicate plain rub over setting so this will elevate the stones and not look too heavy.

"The ring shank is very fine 1.2mm and once attached to the collet I added a nice gentle planished finish to it with my lovely hammer 'Beatrice' - yes I name my tools! Once they are all filed and polished and made to size, I then start prepping to set the stones."

Barrelling Machine Kit For Polishing Meta

Finishing the pieces

"Then for my favourite bit... a spin in the tumbler whilst I prep an area of the studio to photograph the pieces ready to list them in my shop!

Once the stones are set I burnish all the edges for quite some time to perfect and strengthen the pieces.

"Once they are complete I will try pieces on and make sure they are perfect. Each and every piece needs to be of a high-quality and standard before it leaves the studio - it's so important to me that each piece brings the wearer joy.

The end result - stunning!

Using Kernowcraft as a supplier

"It has been lovely to utilise these beautiful stones from Kernowcraft, it's important to me that each material I use within each piece of Little Joy is responsibly sourced and to a high standard. Kernowcraft supplied me many beautiful opals with my specific requirements to meet my aesthetics.

"All the tools used above can be found at Kernowcraft apart from 'Beatrice' the hammer."

Where can you find Little Joy Jewellery?

Website - Facebook - Instagram

Shop Jewellery Making Supplies With Kernowcraft

Shop Opal Gemstones

At Kernowcraft we are pretty addicted to opals! You will find a huge variety available on our website, with stock changing all the time. We often have Australian boulder opals, Ethiopian opals, Peruvian opal, Mexican opals and wood pipe opals. Including opals in both free form and calibrated sizes which can be used with our jewellery settings.

Shop All Jewellery Settings

If you're using a calibrated sized cabochon and faceted stone, then you can often use these with our range of jewellery settings with the help of stone setting tools.

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What Our Customers Say...

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.