Lindsay Pearson talks to us about her ‘New Vintage’ Jewellery collection

Lindsay Pearson Jewellery is an independent jewellery collection, founded in 2008. The collection includes stunning pendant necklaces, stylish earrings and simple friendship bracelets. Using traditional techniques, the collections are given a new edge making them fashionable yet instantly familiar – the “New Vintage”. All pieces are made by Lindsay who completed an MA Jewellery Project degree at Central Saint Martins College before creating the first collection. Influenced by Victorian antiques, the collection reflects Lindsay’s vision of decorative jewellery to be “beautiful, treasured and passed on.”

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and how you got into designing  jewellery?

I am not very academic, (I much prefer to use the right side of my brain) so when I retook my Maths GCSE at college, I had to fill the gaps of my timetable. Jewellery Design was one of the options and I made the decision to take it in about 30 seconds, it was the first thing I ever did in school that I really enjoyed (and I got an A!). I then went on to Art College to study metalwork and jewellery.

How did you go about creating your first item of jewellery? 

The first thing anyone learning about jewellery makes is a plain silver ring – it is a very exciting moment and usually ends up on the hands of friends. The first actual piece of jewellery I designed and made was a silver cross inlaid with red, yellow and orange enamel stripes, it was so ugly and far too adventurous for a first piece! Thankfully I have learned that less is more. 

When you are designing a piece does it grow organically as you make it or do you prefer to design it on paper first? 

I always design on paper first, with a fine line black pen and I know I like an idea when loads of repeat drawings of the same piece appear all over the sketchbook. It is difficult not to start making all of your designs, you have to be patient and let them come to life over time as collections develop. Once I have the basic design, I start making samples. This can be a very quick or very long process as I have to be really happy with the final design as hopefully I will be making lots of them. 

What do you think it is that sets you apart from other jewellery designers? 

I make pieces that are made to last and are waiting to be bestowed with sentiment, yet can be worn everyday as a fashion statement. A lot of my jewellery is bought because people want to wear pieces that mean something to them and they feel like they have owned forever, my work has this feeling with a new twist that is perfect for now. I use 9ct gold rather than 18ct to keep the prices more accessible so I can open this type of fine jewellery up to more people. 

I see that you like Edwardian and Victorian jewels, do those eras inspire you?

I love these eras, you can’t look in an antique jeweller’s window and not fall for all of the beautiful Old Cut diamond rings and sentimental jewels. It was all beautifully made and had real character, which is why people still love it.

Women each have very different styles and so there are a lot of varying personal tastes to cater for – do you find yourself tweaking designs much within your collections to cater for a mass audience?

Not really, you can’t please everyone. I think it is more important to love the work you make and stay true to your style; I have made my jewellery very easy to understand and wear which certainly makes it easier to appeal to a wider audience. I do always think of the cost though and make adjustments to keep pieces in certain price ranges.

Each piece makes a great statement – what kind of women wear Lindsay Pearson Jewellery?

Women with great taste! They don’t want jewellery to wear them but love subtle hints of luxury that glint in the sun and finish their look.

We have fallen in love with the Diamond Cosmos Necklace – do you have a favourite piece from the collection?

I wear quite a lot each day and love them all! currently I have on an rose gold button bracelet, a mini floral thread bracelet, a rose gold love and arrow tag bracelet, a 3d floral and Diamond ring (new collection), fine hammered gold band and a medium double sided initial necklace. Luckily all of my jewellery is quite small so I don’t look like B.A Baracus. Obviously though, my Diamond Target engagement ring is my real favourite thing.

You currently sell your jewellery online and around London – do you have plans to expand into other parts of the UK and Europe?

Yes, I am looking to sell with more stockists in the UK this coming year. I am still quite small and so need to take it slowly but my eyes are on Europe though for the near future, especially France – they have great taste in jewellery. 

Finally, what’s next for you?

I am always creating new pieces rather than launching seasonal collections so I am working on lots of samples at the moment. I really enjoyed making my engagement ring last year and have made variations for a few people, so am looking at building a larger collection of really fine jewellery that will hopefully be coming out around Christmas. I’m very excited about that! 

Louise Elsom

Click here to find your own special piece of Lindsay Pearson Jewellery.