Electroplating & Crystals With Studio Roan

At Kernowcraft we love crystal gemstones, rough edges and freeform shapes! So today we're thrilled to be chatting to Emily from Studio Roan all about her handmade jewellery designs. We find out why Emily loves using organic gemstones, copper and electroplating techniques. Plus we discuss all things web design and photography - two important parts of running a handmade jewellery business.

Hi Emily, when did your love for jewellery making begin?

To be honest, I don’t exactly remember! I’ve always been experimental with creative practices and when I tried jewellery making, it felt natural.

I love how much sentiment and heritage can be held in pieces of jewellery, and how intuitive the craft feels to me.

Tell us about your handmade business, Studio Roan

ROAN is: honouring the organic.

All of my pieces are handcrafted with the earths minerals, the metal revering to the unrefined stones I use. I create healing talismans to ignite daily magic, with cosmic influence.

How would you describe your jewellery in 3 words?

Raw, intuitive, cosmic.

What's your favourite thing about using rough, organic crystals and gemstone nuggets?

It feels like I’m working with the stones in their most organic form. Like they’ve just come straight out of the ground and I have to forge the metal around the natural, rough shapes. It feels quite ancient, alchemical.

What's your favourite thing about using copper and what are its benefits?

In ancient alchemy, copper is the planetary symbol for Venus, and therefore embodies the qualities of this planet; love, balance, creativity and divine femininity. Learning this connected me even more to this metal. Wearing it directly on the skin also allows for regular absorption that is beneficial for brain stimulation, reducing inflammation and immunity support. Wearing and consuming copper for these benefits is an ancient practice. Copper can also kill microbes on contact and holds antibacterial properties.

Favourite gemstone combination?

Black tourmaline for grounding with clear quartz for amplified clarity.

You launched your website this year - what was this experience like and how long did it take you?

The experience of launching my online store was incredible. I was blown away with the support and feedback. I built it alongside my partner who put a whole lot of love in and I have such gratitude for him. It’s hard to say how long it took, as it begun pre-coronavirus lockdown and was completed when we both had to stay home from work but I’d probably say a couple of months.

What do you enjoy most about the electroplating process?

I love that it allows me to use and showcase the rough crystals, unlike traditional bezel settings. Although challenging, it makes for a flexible practice and I feel that I can make almost any design I can think of!

Why did you choose a website rather than an online marketplace?

I wanted more creative control on the aesthetics of the page than marketplaces allow. I wanted to create more of a personal, tailored experience that truly showcased my pieces.

Your photography is beautiful, what is the inspiration behind your imagery

Thank you! I am very fortunate in that my partner is a photographer. We worked together to create a unique way of showcasing these beautiful stones. I want each stone to be shown for its individual beauty - like a portrait.

Explore Copper & Unique Stones With Kernowcraft

Copper For Jewellery Making

We have a range of copper for jewellery making including copper metal sheet, wire, bezel cups, beads and even metal clay!

Explore Crystals & Rough Gemstones

We love using organic shapes when it comes to jewellery making! That's why we stock a wonderful range of natural rough crystals, nuggets as well as crystal points.

Shop Limited Edition Stones

We are always on the look out for free form stones to add to our range - but they often don't stay around for long! Have a browse of our current limited edition stones where you may find Australian boulder opals, New Lander turquoise, diamonds and more...

Also in this section:

What Our Customers Say...

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.

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.

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!

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!

Kim Thomson

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

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!

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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 he friendly helpful service you gave. 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.