About and Ethos
Hello and a warm welcome to Expanded Skies Jewellery and Precious Objects, designed and handcrafted on the edge of Dartmoor, in Devon, UK, by Emma Whittaker.
Ethical and sustainable -
Are you looking for beautiful jewellery where the materials, processes and packaging are sustainable and made with attention and care?
Sustainability and honouring the Earth is at the heart of Expanded Skies.
Ethos
It can be difficult to find beautiful jewellery where details about the sustainability of the materials, processes and the packaging are provided.
My ethical and sustainable approach is informed by research. Only recycled metals, silver and gold are used. All gemstones are from ethical sources and are fully traceable with vertical supply chains (from miner to supplier). I purchase gemstones from the leading ethical gemstone suppliers, including Nineteen48 and Moyo Gems who support artisan miners who are paid fairly, have correct safety equipment and the land is cared for.
Crystals are ethically sourced and their places of origin and information about their source is provided for each piece. This includes some quartz collected from my garden where it lies on the surface!
About
After setting up the Green Maker Initiative with MAKE Southwest, to help designer makers reduce their environmental impact, and two decades of teaching and researching art and design in universities, I applied my knowledge of sustainability to create ethical, beautiful and empowering objects.
I had trained as an artist and was familiar with working with all kinds of materials, usually on a large scale, so to enter the miniature world of gems and precious metals I undertook further training in fine jewellery with the Jeweller’s Academy.
Sustainable making processes
In the making process, I use citric acid (lemon) and water, rather than using harsh acids, to remove the carbon that sticks to the surface after heating and soldering the precious metals. I use lead-free enamels with the wet packing method. Waste is minimised by collecting the lemel, (metal dust) and sandpaper for reprocessing. I use a water-based natural polishing compound and wash and reuse polishing cloths.
Opening your jewellery will be a pleasure! Each piece is beautifully packaged and gift wrapped, developed after much investigation into the environmentally sustainable ways to bring your jewellery to you.
Design Inspiration
The jewellery is inspired by the beauty and wild places of Dartmoor - the changing colours and textures as the light moves across the granite and grasslands through the seasons.
I am drawn to the beauty of ethically sourced stones, the stories of the lands where they originate and their many amazing properties, such as Sri Lankan sapphires, the rubies of Tanzania, and the quartz from Brazil and here on Dartmoor. Each piece of jewellery is made with the intention to uplift and bring joy to the wearer.
Bespoke commissions
Is there a piece you've always wanted to be made for yourself or for a special gift? Wedding, engagement or friendship rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings or other types of objects made from gemstones and/or precious metals.
Send me an email and we can arrange a chat to discuss your ideas.
emma@expandedskies.co.uk
Or complete the contact form:
Contact form
Keep in touch
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