BEN DAY

Spitalfields, England is a haven of diverse attractions and places to explore; the possibilities seem endless. We can experience a "unique" theater atmosphere with "still-life drama" at the Dennis Severs' House.

We can then stop at The Spitz, which is an eclectic combo of restaurant, café, gallery, and a venue of live music. London is also home to featured jewelry designer Ben Day.

The world is full of luminous colors and no one, perhaps, is a better observer of them than Day. "Colors and mixtures of color I see around me--my wife, she has an amazing color sense--family, music, graphics," all inspire Day's breathtaking work with multi-colored gemstones.

Day's jewelry-making origins began while in junior high school after he accompanied his mother to a jewelry class. From that moment on, he was hooked.

Once he completed studies at London's Central School of Art, Day worked extensively with enameling and vivid gemstones; but his style was constantly evolving and a trip to Los Angeles would change his aesthetic.

Los Angeles' Jewelry District opened Day up to a myriad of gemstones, and he began traveling the globe collecting "conflict-free" stones. "I buy the gems first, when I have fallen for them, then I will work out how I want to use them. Sometimes this is immediate; sometimes it takes months to finalize the ideas," he says.

Day's studio, which he established in 2002, is located just below his homey store in Spitalfields, England. Day is not coy about his approach to jewelry design. "I love all gemstones. I see ideas in my mind and work to put them into reality. I believe real jewelry is timeless; a thing of passion."


Day's stunning fine jewelry is handmade and his work has been exhibited at the East London Design Show, New York International Craft Fair, and the Goldsmiths' Fair.

Publications such as Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Vogue have featured Day's stunning designs in various editorials.
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Photo 1 (top right): Opal on Keishi Pearl Necklace; Aquamarine Ring with Blue Diamond all set in 18-Karat Gold
Photo 2 (bottom left): Platinum Moonstone Drop Earrings with White Diamonds; Pale Pink Pearl and Diamond Earrings; and Opal Ring