Story

Behind the Brand

I did not set out to be a jewellery designer, I studied medicine and specialised as a paediatrician, but during those years I intermittently designed pieces of jewellery for my wife. I spent 25 years running my own paediatric practice in Cape Town and after retiring in 2019 I was encouraged by a well-known South African jewellery designer and goldsmith to pursue designing jewellery full-time.

I have collected a diverse range of antiques over the years and this interest in design styles from the past has had some influence on my approach to designing my own jewellery. Handling and the close study of glass, ceramic and silver antiques have also engendered an appreciation of the highly skilled craftsmen and women who, with far less sophisticated equipment than what is available today, produced objects of exquisite beauty and delicacy. While the names and life stories of many of these craftspeople has been lost, they have left behind something tangible as a record of their skills and talent.

Designing jewellery affords me the opportunity to express my observations, thoughts and hopes in a tangible and nuanced way. The very positive responses I have had to my first collection has given me the courage to be bolder and more adventurous in my approach and designs. This journey into a second career has also brought me into contact with many incredibly talented and interesting people, locally and internationally. My days as a paediatrician often seem very distant.

Designing jewellery allows me to express observations, thoughts, and hopes in a tangible and nuanced way.

- Deon Smith

My designs tend to be big and bold, and not easily overlooked, because I want them to start a conversation.

- Deon Smith

My inspiration & philosophy

Living in Cape Town as I do, one cannot but be in awe of the incredible and diverse natural beauty that this part of South Africa is so rich in. But there is daily evidence of the vulnerability and the risk of extinction many of the trees and plants face due to urban expansion, agricultural practices and global warming. It is in response to these factors that I felt inspired to create my Botanical and Lignum Collections. They not only celebrate the beauty of the unique Fynbos but they also highlight its vulnerability and need for our protection for future generations.

As my response to ethical and mindful jewellery practises, I have only used woods from sustainable sources and silver recycled from damaged antique silver objects.

Almost all the gemstones and pearls that feature in my designs have been repurposed from pieces of jewellery that are no longer worn and enjoyed. This is a wonderful creative challenge because the size and cut of the stones often sets certain limits, but it also makes many of these designs unique one-off pieces.

The challenges and varied directions that my life has taken, my many and varied interests and my fascination with the obscure and overlooked all seem to play a role in this creative process.

My designs tend to be big and bold, and not easily overlooked, because I want them to start a conversation. While my jewellery is inspired by and embodies my own philosophy, the pieces come with their own story and it is my hope that these will be taken on, modified or added to by the wearer, giving my jewellery a life and a purpose beyond mere adornment.