These hoop earrings by Kirra-Lea Caynes each have a diamond-shaped sterling silver charm suspended from each hoop, and the artist has grain set a ruby in the centre of the face of each charm. Each charm hangs freely off their hoop earring. There are small raised dots of silver around each ruby.
Materials: sterling silver, 2 x ruby
Dimensions of charms: 18mm x 9mm x 3mm
Diameter of hoops: 34mm
Based in Tasmania, Australia, Kirra-lea works as the sole manufacturer and designer from her home studio. She has collected sticks and twigs from her surroundings as she walks through her garden, or when visiting friends and camping at landmark destinations including Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. Only the most unique and beautifully textured twigs are used to build the base of her designs.
Kirra-lea is also an accomplished sand caster and specialises in cast-in-place rough sapphires. This unique skill has enabled her to travel around Australia teaching fellow jewellers and novices alike the ancient technique. All her rough sapphires are Australian mined by small family businesses and hobbyists. Kirra-lea also makes fossicking trips into the Tasmanian wilderness where she finds her own rough gemstones in the pristine North East rivers. The riverbanks are also a great source for interesting sticks and twigs to incorporate into her designs.
Kirra-lea has won multiple competitions, including The JAA Jewellery Awards, DGA Design Awards, and most recently Jeweller of the Year in the 2019 JAA Design competition.
Kirra-lea is a qualified jeweller with over 10 years’ experience. She specialises in hand-crafted sterling silver and gold jewellery that is inspired by nature.
