Mary Otty

Mary lives in New Zealand now, with her family. She designs and manufactures her unique jewellery from an old railway carriage in her garden, next to a beautiful river. Mary mixes precious stones with silver and gold, also using coloured diamonds one of Sylvia's favourite designers.Lilian BuschLilian took her inspiration from a family friend - a Danish avant garde' jeweller, Ingeborg Milsted. Lilian uses silver and 18 carat gold. Some of her pieces are burnished with a warm, beaten look. "I like a rough, oxidised surface next to a highly polished edge, a sparkling diamond on rusty metal, Tahiti pearls and black pearls on woven gold and silver."Paul SpurgeonPaul is an award-winning designer who finds platinum the most stimulating metal to work with. Its rare, natural whiteness, purity and great tensile strength are the perfect complement to Paul's designs with diamonds, especially in a tension setting, a Spurgeon speciality which leaves the stones' brilliance uncluttered. His aesthetic is cool, clean and classical with minimal lines.Alan VallisAlan has his workshop at the Oxo tower, in London. He has created a collection of beautiful stacking' rings. Some are simple - in silver with a tiny delicate diamond - and others bolder in gold with a precious stone or pearl. They are smooth and flat, cut beautifully to fit together on the finger - a do it yourself' mix and match of the most clean cut fabulous rings. A way to create a completely unique ring for yourself or your loved one. "One man came in to buy his wife a ring, he chose one from the Alan Vallis collection and she loved it so much he came back and was able to buy her a second piece' totally different, that fitted in with the first. He is coming back for a third ring for her birthday later on. With Alan Vallis putting his rings together, you are limited only by your imagination," said Sylvia. I think his rings would also be perfect for an engagement and wedding ring set maybe later being added to for an anniversary.Shimara CarlowRecently graduated and living in Scotland, Shimara's primary influence has been natural forms and objects, mainly seed pods. She uses silver and gold with non-precious metals, including the use of paper seed pods and other found objects. She is currently showing one-off large-scale pieces of jewellery including belts, bangles and neckpieces, along with her range or limited edition work - rings, earrings and small bangles and neckpieces. I love her use of twisted silver - some of her rings reminded me of tiny, delicate birds' nests.KenzoYou may recognise the name Kenzo as it belongs to the French clothing and perfume company. I love this collection of silver jewellery on display at the gallery. Solid pieces of clean silver, artistically bent into rings, bracelets and neck wear, each end incorporating a dark red garnet or labradorite. Very sharp and contemporary, a real upbeat designer look.Alan ArdiffAlan has designed the loveliest set of cufflinks with a bold sense of humour. A little car sits inside the square of silver, freely moving from side to side as you move with it on your cuff. He has called this design Going nowhere'. "Maybe it would be good for a driver who uses the M25," said Sylvia. There's also a pair with a little silver dog that moves called One man and his dog'. I think a pair of these would make a wonderful Valentine's present for the right man.Natash Heaslip has created a unique collection of jewellery that appears as fine wisps' of silver.Annika Rutlin has created a kenetic' ring, using stones set on rings that move freely on the band. Tactile and individual, Sylvia has worn one for the past year and loves it.Kirti Patel works in silver and resin with bronze and copper inlay.Ben Day uses individual stones known as bi-tourmaline with silver and 18 carat yellow-gold.