BAJ Podcast

In this episode of the BAJ Podcast, we speak to Rob Bates, award-winning journalist and News Director at JCK, to explore the ever-evolving world of jewellery—from the rise of lab-grown diamonds and the fall of De Beers' Lightbox, to the challenges of global news reporting and the future of journalism in the age of AI. With over 30 years of experience covering the industry, Rob shares fascinating insights into the trends shaping jewellery today and tomorrow, while also revealing how his passion for storytelling extends into the world of diamond-themed mystery novels. Tune in for a compelling conversation at the intersection of fact, fiction, and the future of sparkle.

Since 2020 Sofie Boons has been collaborating with a physicist and crystal grower as part of her, recently completed, doctoral research. Her collaborator, Daniel Rytz, has been active in the field of crystals for optical, piezoelectric and other applications since 1977. In 2012, together with his partner Corinne Siegrist, he founded BREVALOR as a platform to develop crystals with novel properties for ornamental applications. One of the innovations he has been working on, are phosphorescent crystals. The materials BRG and BRB have similar properties to classical gemstones: their hardness allows them to be shaped and facetted, and they have the optical appearance of gems. This light-emitting gemstone material, capable of storing energy and generating its own light, is taking the quest to optimise light reflection in gemstones to a whole new dimension. In this episode, Sofie and Daniel discuss his career, the subject of crystal growth and his thoughts on the future of these and other novel materials for the jewellery industry.

Tom Chatham is currently chairman of the board at Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds, Inc. Previously, he was CEO of Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds, Inc. The firm's accomplishments include the first successful production of emerald (1935), ruby (1959) sapphires of many colors (1970's) alexandrite (1972) and Lab Grown diamond (1996). Tom Chatham has been active in the gem production area for over 55 years and has been a frequent speaker world wide on the subject of gemstone and diamond production. Tom Chatham is also an author, releasing the book "The Chatham Legacy" in 2023. Chatham Inc sells to every level of the gem business, world wide, on the wholesale level. Today, principle aim is at independent jewelry outlets numbering in the thousands of outlets

Our bodily presence in the world is likely of ever greater interest to artists, designers and makers in our increasingly digitally navigated context. What it feels like to engage with the physical world and how this influences our understanding of it has been the subject of investigation in theories such as phenomenology dating back to the early 20th century. Of continued relevance today, as designers we ask ourselves what it feels like to wear jewellery, how does it respond or relate to the movements of our body, and can jewellery be in artistic dialogue with these motions, highlighting the human body and its interactions with the world? This approach can encourage us to create jewellery that resonates on a sensory and emotional level, making the experience of wearing the piece as significant as the piece itself. A jewellery artist who has been fascinated by these contemplations, and who has collaborated with choreographers, dancers, musicians, filmmakers and scientists to investigate, create and capture movement narratives, is John Moore. His work challenges traditional boundaries, positioning the wearer as an active participant in the jewellery's expression. Join us to find out more about his work and what it means to design for movement.

A lot of jewellery designers are no stranger to shifting between the digital and physical both for the creation of work and the communication of work. There are companies and researchers/practitioners that question and advance these practices, considering craft thinking in the context of digital experience and asking what it means to be human in an increasingly layered physical and digital world. Lynne Craig is an innnovation director, academic and founder of computational adornment. Her work, research and practice connects design, technology, education and business development; exploring the frontiers of emergent technologies and cultural change. To talk to me today about her work and what it means to be a digitally conscious maker/thinker today

Tiia Vahula and Philip Wilck, founders of Utopia Blu aim to embrace the boundless potential of human imagination, whilst striving for a future that is not only visually appealing but also sustainable and meaningful. Breaking disciplinary boundaries, the couple look to technology to enable creative innovations that strike the right balance between culture and nature. For this podcast episode we review how the self-proclaimed formalists have been nourishing an ability to envision sensitive possibilities, finding inspiration in nature whilst advocating for progress, by exploring emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality, to create transformative experiences that blend seamlessly with the physical world.

Sustainable practice can be seen from a range of perspectives, including the idea of Urban Mining materials, rather than using virgin materials. What we choose as materials to work from has a big impact on our practice. A researcher who has taken the practice of urban mining one step further, and has been working in the Bio-Design field for quite some time is Marie Melcore. With her work she is keen to transcend disciplinary boundaries in order to address common sustainability issues and offer out of the box design and ideas proposals that can contribute to solving the big problems we face. In this episode she tells us more about her career, practice and the materials she's been locating, questioning and transforming as part of her projects.

When considering alternative approaches to materials and making, you may come across Bio-design, which can be understood as a means to incorporate the inherent life-conducive principles of biological living systems into the design and making process - and this in order to move towards a more sustainable and caring future. If we want to become more empathic towards our environment, so we can co-create, collaborate with non-humans whilst constructing and most importantly improving our context, wouldn't it be important we gain an understanding of these living systems first? What does the world feel like to a tree? And can jewellery provide an ecological service to our environment? Someone who has asked themselves these very questions, and many more questions in relation to the topic of bio-design, is researcher, designer and artist Yuning Chen. Join us in this episode, where she tells us more about her career, practice and the materials she's been investigating as part of her projects.

Hidden behind a colourful facade on a small estate in South London, you can find a treasure trove of carefully reviewed, sorted and organised ‘waste' materials. The Work and Play Scrapstore, and its team of passionate volunteers, enable artists, makers and anyone with any use for materials, to come and be inspired. From discarded famous costumes to offcuts of wood, textiles, plastics and much, much more, the Work and Play Scrapstore is a place where anyone with an interest in materials and making could spend hours exploring. Tune in to hear more about the concept of the store, the materials and objects it holds, and how anyone can engage with and support the cause.

Gold, as we know it best, is not really a material that gets distributed fairly, or even gets worked on in cooperation. But there is archaeological evidence for spectacular goldwork in stateless societies providing compelling proof that complex technologies could be sustained in the absence of coercive powers. With cooperation being a key to tackling some of our greatest global concerns, and fair distribution of materials such as gold and access to luxurious objects an ethical ambition, this should pique our interest. This month we speak to a researcher who has been tracing our fascinating relationship with gold and other luxurious materials in various places and across segments of time. Professor Marcos Martinón-Torres is the Pitt-Rivers Professor of Archaeological Science at the University of Cambridge and researches the archaeology of alchemy and metals, investigating different forms of craft organisation, knowledge transmission, innovation, and value systems. We speak to him about his research, and how looking back can maybe inspire moving forward.

When thinking about materials and objects as a maker, it is important to consider the impact these materials and objects have. In a first instance that can involve considering the life cycle of materials, and constructing objects well so they are cared for and passed on rather than discarded. But what does it mean to create objects that get ‘passed on'? These objects could also be referred to as ‘kinship objects'. A thought that crossed my mind upon finding a small book that packs a punch titled ‘The Material Kinship Reader' edited by Kris Dittel and Clementine Edwards. What role do materials and objects play in the organisation of social relationships? What does it mean to possess materials and objects? To discuss their work and ponder these interesting and necessary topics, we will delve into the world of artist Clementine Edwards.

In a world full of objects, and as makers of objects, the agency of objects and materials is fascinating. Why do certain objects become valuable to us, and others not? Today sustainable making is a key consideration, and waste poses a real sustainability challenge. Are there opportunities in waste? Can we re-consider waste sensitively, incorporating it into our practices as tools, materials and actors? A maker who has been fascinated with the temporality of materials is Katy Gillam-hull. A maker of objects and jewellery who reflects upon found and archival materials and objects and their capacity for encounter and for accumulating narrative through time. In this episode we talk about her views on waste, ponder materials and their stories, and delve into her practice, where waste is not wasted.

When recycling silver and gold seems evident and has been around for decades, how can the practice be applied to other materials, what organisations and which individuals are already facilitating or exploring this approach, and what could we as artists, makers and designers change as part of our practices in order to become, and more importantly think like ‘Urban Miners' re-valuing waste materials, critically reflecting on appropriation and being mindful of the longevity of our own work. In history, perhaps through necessity, re-use was common, and archaeologists have found many examples of ‘Urban Mining' in history. As reflecting on the past can be insightful, Sofie is joined by archaeologist Dr Carlotta Gardner who has been investigating a range of archaeological materials including ceramics, metals, glass, and waste materials associated with these respective industries. They talk about her fascination for the subject, her career to date and her thoughts on Urban Mining.

Our senses are the filters to our universe. Jewellery, unlike other artforms, is often worn on the body, engaging most of our senses. Some jewellery designers explore the edges of our sensory exploration of the world, questioning what it is we can and cannot see, or feel - or enabling a beauty to be sensed only in certain conditions. A jewellery designer who aims to explore how the multi-sensory experience of wearing and viewing jewellery can be changed with the enhancement of light as an interactive medium is Wanshu Li. In this podcast episode we discuss how her work attempts to challenge the traditional way that people wear and interact with jewellery by exploring the relationship between materiality and sensory experiences, using traditional and digital techniques.

When we think about jewellery, we think it generally is worn on the body. Can jewellery or adornment be created for non-human contexts? Jewellery artist and researcher Liesbet Bussche has been challenging scale, materials and perceptions. Her large city objects are clearly inspired by jewellery and aim to adorn the city. In this episode, we discuss the scale of jewellery and what it is like to work multidisciplinary. We discuss her fascination for the city and the archetypical form of jewellery, and how changing contexts can change perspectives.

When we look at the profession of jewellery, we often review pieces of jewellery from the past to gain an insight into the application of techniques, the reasons jewellery pieces were commissioned and worn, and gain insights into trends and changes in style. Museums such as the V&A provide us with an opportunity to look at some of the most interesting pieces of jewellery in European history. To discuss what it is like to trace the stories of these jewellery pieces, I speak to the BAJ Associate Lecturer in Critical and Historical Studies, and previously curator at the V&A for 20 years, Rachel Church. Join us in a conversation about weird and wonderful jewellery stories, what it is like to work as a curator and much more.

To mark the 50th Episode of the BAJ Podcast, Sofie is joined by fellow Podcaster, broadcaster, author and editor Carol Woolton. In this episode, Carol as Co-Host, will find out a little more about the Sofie's research, fascination with jewellery and the ideas behind the BAJ podcast. They will discuss what topics they feel are important for the industry to engage with and what their plans are for both of their podcasts.

When we speak about the digital world, we use words such as the cloud for data storage, and the metaverse for a virtual reality. But as Dr. Patricia Domingues aptly points out with her research and work, the very real physical realities to enable the use of digital tools, requiring increasingly more data, is very much 'real'. A research fellow at the Jewellery-Linking Bodies Department in the Gerrit Rietveld Academy Patricia investigates how artificial intelligence, metaverse worlds and digital structures frame the way humans think while drastically reshaping the way landscapes are handled. In this episode, we discuss her jewellery practice to date and the research she is currently working on. 

In this episode, BAJ's Sofie Boons speaks with one of the voices behind the new BAJ BA Course, Hollie Paxton. We discuss her jewellery career to date, covering the work she does for TV big hits such as Netflix, the BBC and Apple TV, her personal collections, bespoke commissions and her vision for the course.

In this episode, BAJ's Sofie Boons speaks with the co-founders of the 'Artificial Intelligems' collective, Anneleen Swillen and Greg Scheirlinckx to discuss their work and research, the benefits and dangers of AI and the tools currently available and how AI can be used in relation to jewellery. Listen in to find out more about machine learning in a creative context and ponder our increasingly digital future.

In this episode, BAJ's Sofie Boons speaks with two members of the team behind the thought-provoking magazine 'Current Obsession'. With their magazine, and their first ever Jewellery Hub in the centre of Munich during Munich Jewellery Week, the team want to create a platform for jewellers to showcase broadly, discuss and most importantly re-connect following the Covid-19 Pandemic. Sofie speaks to them about their vision for the magazine and 'Current Obsession', the experience of taking centre stage in Munich Jewellery Week and what is next. If you did not have a chance to travel to Munich or catch up with the team at Current Obsession, listen in to a conversation recorded at the buzzing hub - it will be as if you are actually there!

In this episode, Sofie speaks with the curator selected for the Schmuck 2023 showcase in Munich. Having been an artist for over 50 years, and as an educator and curator of various exhibitions, Caroline Broadhead has a finger on the pulse of contemporary jewellery. We will discuss her selection for the exhibition, the key themes currently fascinating and challenging jewellers and her career in the medium and beyond. For more than fifty years, Caroline has run her own practice exploring objects that come into contact with and interact with the body. Much of her work is jewellery, but it has also developed into larger scale work, exploring outer extents of the body as seen through light, shadows and reflections and movement. The work operates with a number of contexts, spanning jewellery, performance and art. Significant elements of her work have included collaborations with choreographers which build intimate and highly charged atmospheres in dance performances, and a number of which use historic buildings as both inspiration and location. She has lectured, taught and exhibited widely and her work is represented in many public collections worldwide. A recent book and exhibition at CODA Museum, Netherlands showcased work spanning four decades. Other acknowledgements include: Jerwood Prize for Applied Arts: Textiles, 1997; Textiles International Open, 2004, and The Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Lifetime Achievement Award, 2017. Having retired as Course Leader, BA Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins in 2018, she is now Professor Emerita there.

Starting the New Year with a bang, we have invited Caroline Jackman, the Head of Craft Business skills at the Crafts Council to discuss her work for the Charity, their annual showcase Collect and the opportunities the council provides makers. We will cover tips and advice on how to get started and promote yourself in the craft world, and gain an insight into the importance of finding help and connecting with others to make progress. Caroline is Head of Craft Business Skills for the Crafts Council, leading on support and business development for all craft businesses. Moreover, she is a coach, mentor, advisor and project manager specializing in International practice with a current focus on Europe. Caroline is also an artist, a shepherdess, a Trustee for New Ashgate Gallery, Mentor for Arts Emergency and an Advisor for Radcliffe Trust.

With the second series of the BBC's popular jewellery competition 'All That Glitters' only recently crowning its second winner, Sofie catches up with our very own BAJ graduate Tianne Louise-Simmons. They discuss what it was like to take part in the show, and what Tianne has in store for the future, reflecting on the importance of her educational journey for her confidence, and what it was like to get started in the industry. Following in her father's footsteps, Tianne is a jewellery industry professional who graduated from the British Academy of Jewellery in 2020. Trained as a goldsmith she has gained experience in education and industry, and her work is known for its technical excellence, exampled by having won the award for surface finishing by 77 diamonds at BAJ's Final Show 2021. In 2022 she was selected to participate in the renowned BBC jewellery competition 'All that glitters' season 2, where she demonstrated her passion for geometric lines. Following the show, she is focussing on the creation of bespoke custom commissions in her studio where all jewellery is handmade to order. To gain further experience, Tianne also continues to work as a jobbing goldsmith completing fine jewellery repairs. As her style is developing, her jewellery is often made using traditional techniques but with a modern mechanical and engineering inspired background and theme.

In this episode, Sofie speaks with Professor Ioannis Michaloudis about his research career investigating the application of the NASA-created material Aerogel in design, his creative work and his collaboration with Boucheron. Prof. Ioannis Michaloudis is a visual artist, researcher and academic, internationally acknowledged as a leader in Art&Science, and the first researcher worldwide to apply the ethereal nanomaterial silica aerogel in visual arts and design. His career began in Paris, at Sorbonne University, where he presented his thesis on Visual Arts in 1998. After receiving a “Greek Artists” Fulbright Award in 2001, he undertook research on art and nanotechnology at MIT where he started his research on the application of the space age silica aerogel in visual arts. He is the Founding Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, American University of Cyprus (AUCY), Larnaca, Cyprus. An astonishing achievement of Prof. Michaloudis is that in 2022, two of his silica aerogel aer( )sculptures -as part of Carnegie Mellon's University MoonArk project- they will be rocketed to the moon and exist there for billions of years.

Following the discussion in the previous episode about the article by Loukia Richards, we meet with Loukia and her partner Christoph Ziegler to discuss their work for SMCK Magazine, SMCK on reel, how to get started with writing and of course, what Loukia aimed to achieve with her article titled 'Why does contemporary jewellery not take off?'. Loukia Richards is a visual artist, curator, and co-publisher of SMCK Magazine. Along with her partner Christoph, she is the curator of SMCK On Reel - the first international video festival inspired by jewellery. The first edition of SMCK ON REEL was screened in Weltraum Gallery and Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein during Munich Schmuck week in July 2022. It is followed by SMCK ON REEL - Chain of Solidarity featuring Ukrainian and international jewellery artists working on the theme War & Peace. SMCK ON REEL - Chain of Solidarity takes place during important jewellery events and festivals in October 2022. Christoph Ziegler studied visual arts at the University of the Arts in Berlin and the École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille. In 2015, after ten years of experience in the fields of sculpture, performance and installation, Ziegler started working with jewellery. Along with Loukia (duo name: ZLR Betriebsimperium), Ziegler has curated fifteen international group shows, many of which have received German state funding."

A special edition episode featuring the plenary speakers of the ACJ 'Beyond Silver' Conference Dr. Jivan Astfalck and Professor Theo Smeets. A discussion about the key themes of the conference, the field and the subject of jewellery.  Dr. Jivan Astfalck is Professor of Jewellery Art and Design at Birmingham City University. Born in Berlin, where she trained as a goldsmith, she has been living in London for more than 30 years. She obtained her MA in the History and Theory of Modern Art at Chelsea College of Art and Design, and her PhD in Fine Art at the University of the Arts London. Theo Smeets has been working since 1998 as Professor for jewellery at the University of Applied Sciences Trier at the Department of Gemstone and Jewellery in Idar-Oberstein. He has been Head of the Department since 2017. He studied gold- and silversmithing at Schoonhoven (1982-1986) and jewellery design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy (1986-1992) in Amsterdam.

A special edition episode recorded during the conference 'Beyond Silver' of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery. A discussion on the theme of the conference, the impact of conferences, the state of play in the field, the major challenges and opportunities and where we go from here, featuring collector Linda Lambert, educator and jeweller Bridie Landon and Chair of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery Terry Hunt. Terry Hunt is the Association for Contemporary Jewellery Chair. He is a designer-maker, and his practice has predominantly been concerned with exploration of surface pattern and colour using titanium and anodised aluminium. Most recently, this has grown to include larger sculptures in coloured plastics. Bridie Lander is an experienced jewellery designer/maker and lecturer. Her personal research interests include issues of the handmade and the digital, intersections of art and design. She considers art jewellery as a medium, an interface of the virtual (interiority, the imaginary) and the real.  Linda Lambert is director of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery. Until she retired, Linda Lambert was the Publisher for the Visual Arts at A&C Black Publishers (now part of Bloomsbury). During her time there, she established a number of Crafts lists, but notably the Jewellery list which included the Jewellery Handbooks series that continues today. Linda joined the ACJ when she first started looking into the field of jewellery.

A conversation with Anthony Wong, a director of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, on the association's 25th Anniversary events and the benefits and support for members. The Association for Contemporary Jewellery (ACJ) Contemporary jewellery is one of the most dynamic and innovative areas of 21st-century craft and design, that inspires and appeals to people of all different backgrounds. The association welcomes anyone with an interest in contemporary jewellery. Whether your interest is personal or professional, they have something to offer you.  Anthony Wong specialises in the design and manufacture of exciting, innovative, contemporary handmade jewellery, art and precious objects. Anthony believes that the purity and innovation of materials, the method and the strength of the form are captivating. He works to distil and strip designs to their minimum form to produce pieces with a timeless interest, imbibing snippets of stories through clues, in form and material. Current work highlights the belief of fate, migration and re-settlement. Alongside his making practice, Anthony is also an ACJ director, helping to shape the work of the association. His brooch, “BOILED.POACHED, SCRAMBLED OR FRIED – Someone throw me a lifeline” was selected for the ACJ's 25th-anniversary tour, Meanings and Messages and he is also speaking at Beyond Silver, the ACJ's 2022 conference, with a presentation titled; The Blue Funnel Line and a Ring in his Pocket, exposing his final and ongoing work, produced during a Ma at RCA.

A conversation with Jonathan Boyd, a multi-award winning Artist and Jeweller working with a variety of materials, specialising in conceptual and narrative-led jewellery and objects. Jonathan is the Reader in Jewellery as well as the Head of Programme in Jewellery and Metal (Acting) at the Royal College of Art in London. He is an active practitioner and researcher in the areas of Jewellery and Metal. Jonathan's research focuses on exploring the relationships between language and objects. His practice-led, critically reflective research employs an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing digital and analogue working methods placing jewellery at the centre of the dynamic relationship between person and thing.

A conversation with the four powerhouses (Lynn Speake, Lucy Spink, Juan Riusech, Spam Glam) behind Precious Collective, a collective with over 300 members from around the world, who organises exhibitions, charitable calls and much more.  ​Precious Collective was formed to celebrate Art Jewellery; showcasing this art form to new audiences. Through building a community, networking and creating a dialogue between members in various countries, Precious Collective supports the sharing of ideas and knowledge. With around 300 members across the world what binds Precious members together is their ambiguous relationship to notions of what is ‘precious'. Makers who wish to become part of the group either follow this line of thinking or work in ways that challenge traditional jewellery making through materials, techniques or concepts. The collective offers opportunities to makers at all stages of their jewellery career and as a result, creates opportunities that may not normally be financially viable or even possible on a personal level.  https://www.preciouscollective.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RF1a1i4C8flEu3PFHNSCA

A conversation with one of the female founders of the Antwerp based jewellery label Studio Collect about running a label as a team, working with retailers and more. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Hermien, Saskia, Magaly and Hannah decided to join forces and founded Studio Collect in 2013. A shared passion and vision on jewellery design led to their collaboration. Characterised by clean aesthetics and functional form, Studio Collect shapes contemporary jewellery for everyday wear, satisfying both practical and poetic needs. Their jewellery is carefully crafted by hand in their studio in Antwerp. Since launching their label, Studio Collect has continually refined, perfected and pushed the boundaries of its jewellery making.

A conversation with Julia Maria Künnap who is an Estonian jewellery artist and self-taught gemstone carver who transforms gems into sweeping brush strokes and molten forms. We will discuss her contemporary take on the material and how she got started with gemstone carving, as well as what it is like to be a contemporary jeweller today. Julia Maria Künnap graduated in 2004 from the Estonian Academy of Arts' Jewellery Art Department under Professor Kadri Mälk. A 2018 recipient of the renowned Herbert Hofmann Prize, Künnap is known for her mysteriously and meticulously carved lapidary work. Her work has been included in group and solo exhibitions around the world. Julia Maria Künnap currently lives and works in Tallinn, Estonia.

A conversation with Matthew Manos, founder and managing director of verynice, a design strategy practice that gives half of its services away for free to non-profit organizations. Matthew details the work he does with his company as well as one of his toolkits, Less (Bad) Design: A Toolkit For Ethical Ideation, that challenges designers to consider the ethical impact of their designs. With a portfolio of work that has reached millions of people across the globe, verynice's client experience spans 1,000+ brands including the American Heart Association, Apple, the City of Los Angeles, Disney Imagineering, Google, REI, and the United Nations. We will talk to him about his company, his ambitions for the future and the idea of a toolkit he published to eradicate bad design.

A conversation with stone cutter Justin Prim, on the art and craft of faceting stones, his digital YouTube platform, and his life in Thailand. Justin K Prim is an American lapidary, author, and gemologist living and working in Bangkok, Thailand. He has studied gemcutting traditions all over the world as well as attending gemology programs at GIA and AIGS. He recently launched his first book, The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting, about the art of gemstone cutting. Justin works as a Lapidary Instructor as well as writing articles, producing videos, and giving talks about gem cutting history.

A conversation with graduate Paul Morris, who is working in the gemstone city Idar-Oberstein as a jeweller and stone carver.

A conversation with Sarah Rothwell, the Curator of Modern & Contemporary Design at National Museums Scotland, about her work and the various elements that have impacted her career choices. She currently holds responsibility for the collections of British, European and other 'Western' glass, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery and industrial design circa 1945-present. 

A conversation with Harriet and Rosie about their jewellery brand Tatty Devine, the world's go-to for fun and original statement pieces, on their journey from the brand's start in 1999. Since then, through Tatty Devine, Rosie and Harriet have achieved much, including collaborations with industry greats and recognition for their contribution to the fashion and jewellery industries.

In this episode, we speak to Tamara Gomez, finalist of BBC show All That Glitters. Tamara details what led her to become a jeweller, her experience on the reality TV show and her career in jewellery.

A conversation with the executive director of the Responsible Jewellery council Iris van der Veken on the work the RJC undertakes, its support for the industry, and the challenges we face to create a responsible jewellery industry.

A conversation with Saskia Kolff– van Es, a Dutch art historian who writes about contemporary jewellery, on her interest in the meaning people attach to jewellery and the histories behind jewellery materials.

A conversation with artist, craftsman, researcher and educator Dr David Huycke on his innovative work with granulation and metal. An insight into the considered practice of an artist balancing craft, poetry and profession.

A conversation with jewellery historian Dr Jack Ogden on the historical significance of jewellery. Dr Jack Ogden has a particular interest in the development of materials and technology and has a PhD from Durham University. Dr Jack Ogden is an elected fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. He is also the current President of The Society of Jewellery Historians.

A conversation with Melbourne-based designer and RMIT researcher Dr Leah Heiss working at the nexus of design, health, and technology. Dr Heiss reflects on her practice, the nature of collaborations, and the importance of research in the field. Dr Heiss also discusses the design thinking workshops using the Tactile Tools methodology she has organised.

A conversation with Paola De Luca, founder of The Futurist Ltd, a creative intelligence agency specialising in strategic and editorial projects in the luxury and jewellery sectors reflecting on her career, the year 2020, trend forecasting and what is in store for 2021.

In this episode, we speak to London-based, internationally-stocked jeweller Alex Monroe about his inspirations and the jewellery industry. 

In this episode, we have a conversation with writer, jewellery designer and director of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery Melanie Eddy on her practice, the ACJ and her career in jewellery.

In this episode, BAJ has a conversation with Roberta Bernabei, editor of the Journal of Jewellery Research, on the importance of research in the field.

In this episode of the BAJ Podcast, BAJ talks to jewellery designer, researcher and educator Jim Binnion on his expertise of Mokume Gane, craftsmanship and sharing knowledge.

In this episode of the BAJ Podcast, BAJ talks to Dr. Katharina Vones about materiality, material libraries, recycling materials and smart jewellery.