DESIGN NAME: Anew
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Rings
INSPIRATION: This project arises in the context of a noticeable increase in the frequency of jewellery using jade as main material, especially among young designer in fashion circle. However, mainly "millennium style" like jade bangle is being worn and they are not associated with any brand or particular design; they are about jade itself, which is attracted to those wearing it because of its cultural meaning and ancient history. This constitutes an opportunity of future jade-jewellery development.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This collection is inspired by the underground youth culture and Bonsai aesthetics philosophy, designer deconstructed antique rings, which featuring mounted jade stones to explore the relationship anew between Jade-stone and band. Also, jade as the majority material been found and treated in Ruili, China. To achieved the precise result, the craftsmen were challenged the limitation of jade carving.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The unisex design doesn't target a specific age range or any customer group but reflects a confident, edgy, artistic, carefree lifestyle, aimed at men and women who live an examined life. The concise appearance and the appropriate weight make the rings perfect for everyday wear.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project was developed from October 2016 to June 2018 in London. Jade-found and carving were finished in Ruili, CN
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Jade carving, Wax carving and casting in metal.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Rings size: Small Diamond-shaped pattern: 28*20*15 (mm) UK: N / Big Diamond-shaped pattern: 28.5*20*15 (mm) UK: P
TAGS: Jewellery, Jewellery, Ring, Jade, Craftsmanship
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: To assist the project,the research focused on the context of jade accessories including the historical value of jade itself, customer, market, technique, and investigate the situation through academic papers, internet resources, field visits of Chinese jade processing plants and interviews with some of their professionals. The context research process perfected this project, also stimulated the hypothesis of "Jade as a material, will become more prevalent in jewellery design."
CHALLENGE: The organic shapes of the base ring model had been selected through a great quantity of wax-melting experiments, and all the diamond-shaped grooves on the rings’ surface were hollowed out by hand. The challenge was to carve the jade pieces to fit the diamond-shaped grooves perfectly. Due to the irreparability of jade, the parts need exact work to achieve the curves, thickness, and sharp tips.
ADDED DATE: 2019-02-19 03:00:19
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1#2 #3: Photographer Xunchang Cheng,2018.
Image #4 #5: Photographer Anyi Ren,2019.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Copyrights belong to Xiaonan Zhang, 2019.
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