Month: October 2015

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The guild of St Joseph and St Dominic

The Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic

Guild_buildings

Ditchling has long been famous for its artists and craftspeople. The award winning Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft now showcases their work and life. The Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic pictured above was set up in 1921 by Eric Gill and colleagues on Ditchling Common. It was an experiment in communal, artistic and religious life lasting for seventy years and had a huge influence on twentieth century design and craftsmanship. Dunstan Pruden, goldsmith and silversmith arrived there in 1932. This legacy inspired Anton Pruden, his grandson and Rebecca Smith to study their craft and set up Pruden and Smith in the village in 1988.

Take a tour of our workshop, gallery and the Ditchling Museum to see how this legacy has developed from the past to present through design excellence. Reproductions of Dunstan’s work are available for sale.
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The work above is an original Calvary group design from Dunstan Pruden made of Bronze (to order only)

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These solid silver hallmarked designs of Dunstan Pruden’s work are available to buy here at Pruden and Smith, from left: Christ on cross £105, St Christopher pendant/ key ring £130

Categories
Bespoke Bespoke jewellery Birth Stones Jewellery

Unusual Opal Jewellery

Opal jewellery is becoming more and more popular with our customers. It’s not a stone that we ordinarily use however, because of its increasing popularity it’s something jewellers should consider using more often. Pictured below are examples of reusing customers old opals and incorporating them into a new design. As you can see, they come in a huge variety of colours, the colours below are known as precious opals and are the most popular type. From milky white with flecks of greens and pinks, to blues and greens with flecks of red… Opals are a fascinating stone. These stones are primarily mined in Australia but can also be found in South America, Hungary, Czech republic and Indonesia. The colours in this stone often change depending on the lighting or direction of light coming in at different angles, this is simply because the stone is made up of small spheres that will diffract the light coming into them.

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From left: Rose gold, opal and diamond trilogy ring (made to order), Nugget pendant with opal and diamonds (made to order), 18ct gold and opal ring (made to order)

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Diamond engagement rings Diamond Pendants Diamonds

Rough Stone Jewellery

Rough stone jewellery is growing in popularity, we are certainly increasing selling products with rough cut diamonds in them. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man and takes it’s name from the ancient Greek word “adamas” meaning the “unconquerable”. So, if you think a rough cut diamond won’t be as strong – think again! Rough cut diamond rings are seeming to be a new and unusual choice. A rough cut diamond is cheaper to purchase than a specified cut diamond. Often the design of a rough cut diamond will enhance the beauty of the imperfect stone. For example, a rough stone looks beautiful with a rough hammered finish metal. Examples of our rough diamond products are pictured below.

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(from left) Rough diamond cluster pendant £332, Rough diamond stacking ring set £1310

It’s not just diamonds that look great in a rough cut finish, but Ruby and Lapis Lazuli also share the quality of looking perfectly imperfect…

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(from left) Rough cut Ruby in 18ct gold setting £150, Rough cut lapis lazuli in 18ct gold setting £240

Categories
Dress rings Gemstone jewellery Jewellery

Unique dress rings

labradorite dress ring

Unique dress rings such as this selection of rough checker cut silver dress rings are available to buy from us on our website or in our Ditchling based gallery. A dress ring does not necessarily hold any meaning like an engagement ring would – they are seen as more of a fashion accessory. The style of dress ring pictured below works particularly well as a stacking ring because of the uneven shapes that fit together. Blue Topaz and Amethyst work well together because of their colouring. Citrine and Green Amethyst also work wonderfully together with their earthy coloured stones. Labradorite always looks beautiful; whether its rough cut or a polished finish.. Labradorite is a nice choice in this rough cut style of dress ring because the colours in the stone are sometimes uneven and random too. Moonstone can look great against the Labradorite ring and can be worn stacking as well. These products are all available to buy on our website, just click the pictures to go straight to the product! We have a number of other beautiful unique dress rings to buy off the shelf. Or, why not commission a brand new dress rings? If you have any old stones or unused jewellery we can remodel them into a new piece of jewellery for you. This sapphire and diamond dress ring is a fabulous example of our jewellery redesign service.

 

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Company History

Ditchling, Hassocks, East Sussex

Pruden and Smith are established goldsmiths, silversmiths and makers of bespoke handmade jewellery in Ditchling, East Sussex . Anton Prudens grandfather Dunstan Pruden was the silversmith in the Eric Gill-founded Guild of St. Joseph & Dominic on Ditchling common, and though this was a completely new business venture, Pruden & Smith inherited a number of crucial aspects of this legacy. The Pruden and Smith workshop and gallery on Ditchling crossroads is a focal point for the village as it is located on the crossroads in the centre of the village. The building was formally Ditchling Press (of the Guild of St. Joseph & Dominic) and was purchased by Anton & Rebecca in 2007. More information about the Guild can be seen at the excellent Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft. The village hosts many creative links which make it an interesting place to visit.

Ditchling ridgeview museum of art and craftthe bull ditchling

As a community several businesses in the village are now involved with a campaign called ‘Visit Ditchling’. This is basically a way of attracting more people into the village and promoting the special events that are often happening. The associated businesses for Visit Ditchling are: Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft, Ridgeview wine, Stoneywish, Oldland mill, The mac’s farm, The Bull, The white horse, Ditchling tea rooms, and of course Pruden and Smith. Also we are looking to promote the general surroundings such as the famous Beacon which keen cyclists and ramblers love. Furthermore we’re promoting this area of the country and the great activities it has to offer! So, Visit Ditchling and visit us here at Pruden and Smith.