When I was little one of my favourite things was turning over rocks to see what lay hidden underneath, the world that is unseen but full of life.It’s a place full of detail and a richness.I always notice how after a person has picked up a pendant they examine the front and the eye is led across the design taking in all the details and then they turn it over to see the hidden world underneath. I like the childlike curiosity as they see something interesting underneath.
A hidden world…
The reverse of a piece is like a hidden world, somewhere that’s not shown to the world.So I often continue the free form vines across the reverse and add little details.Then the occasional dragon lies underneath or an interesting carving.Also some gems can be viewed from both sides and if light is allowed through the stone, when the pendant is held up the window can reveal the most beautiful vibrant colours, like stained glass in a cathedral.
So when I design a piece I select a gem and consider the reverse, I ask if the gem can be viewed from both sides, if a texture could be used to add detail, if small details could be added and if carvings would add interest.Using a combination of these techniques I create a cohesive and detailed reverse – a hidden world.