Amy Kahn Russell: a forerunner in a naturalistic trend

Trends emerge in jewellery all the time. One season it may be jewellery that features lots of pop culture references, another season it might be quite tribal. However, one designer, Amy Kahn Russell, is leading a new trend in jewellery.

Amy is a fine art graduate of Tulane and has travelled all over the world. Even though she now lives in the United States, she incorporates unusual artefacts and stones that she has collected into her dramatic jewellery.

The jewellery she produces is made from sterling silver and sometimes with 14ct and 18ct gold along with mixed metals. The jewellery also features minerals, pearls and fossils with semi-precious stones that provide a truly unique appearance.  These animal print earrings are gorgeous and will work really well with some of the trends for spring 2013. 

Each piece that Amy has designed comes to the owner with the history and a label that describes the components. Her work is in high demand and what is really fascinating is that she designs every single piece herself. Because of the nature of the materials Amy uses, it means that the pieces tend to be one-off. For example, this Butterfly Russian hand painting and enamel charm necklace features exquisite stones that will make you stand out. Even though these pieces are one-off, they will last for several seasons. It’s the type of jewellery that can be handed down from a mother to a daughter.

There must be so many cultures that influence this jewellery. “I travel the globe and my jewellery is a combination of the amazing cultures I experience. I’m always influenced by nature in my pieces, as well as the architecture and museums throughout each country. The diversity of the world is my pallet. I can use materials no matter how rare or individual. I often incorporate fossils with faceted gemstones, rare carvings with mixed metals and Russian miniature paintings with carvings from India. I surround myself with these ethnically diverse collections throughout my studio. The colours, the fabrics, the mosaics in both tile and glass, African sculptures and embroidered textiles are reflected in many of my pieces to create timeless, wearable art.” You can see a lot of cultural references in her rings. They are amazing and you won’t find any similar anywhere else. This gold and black ring features a Czech glass button that has some beautiful detailing, but it works really well with the small gold flowers around the outside. 

If you’re a person who loves the idea of heirlooms, then maybe one of Amy Kahn Russell’s pieces could be for you. It would be amazing to think that a ring or bracelet you have bought from her could be worn by your granddaughter in years to come. 

Jenny Rodgers

Visit Amy’s website here to see some of her work.