A belated Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026

As we say goodbye to the Year of the Snake in 2025 — a year symbolising wisdom, transformation, and renewal — many of us have been reflecting on change. The snake shedding its skin is often seen as a powerful reminder to let go of old patterns, make thoughtful shifts, and embrace personal and creative growth.

Now we step into the Year of the Horse in 2026, bringing with it dynamic energy, independence, and passion. With the Fire Horse element in play, this year is said to amplify vitality, ambition, and momentum — a fast pace for progress and meaningful change. There has been a lot of conversation around this transition, and it feels particularly resonant, both personally and professionally.

For many independent jewellers, 2025 was a challenging year. The price of gold rose significantly, leading some makers to explore alternative materials. As a UK-based independent fine goldsmith, I’ve felt these changes keenly — but I’ve also been reminded why I love working in gold.

Gold jewellery has always been a sound investment. Unlike many luxury items that rely on designer authentication to hold their value, fine gold jewellery is inherently valuable because of the precious metal itself. This is one of the reasons I’ve been undertaking more bespoke remodelling projects recently, using clients’ own gold — often heirloom pieces passed down through generations, or jewellery that no longer suits their style.

Remodelling gold jewellery in this way has been incredibly rewarding. By reworking existing gold, I can forge or cast new pieces using the original material, sometimes mixing different carats and colours of gold to create entirely new tones and finishes. The result is a contemporary piece of fine jewellery that retains both its emotional history and its material worth — something to be worn, loved, and treasured again.

I’m currently finishing a few of these bespoke projects from last year, with new commissions beginning this month. Because of the hands-on nature of this work, I only take on a limited number of remodelling projects at any one time. If you’d like to explore transforming your own gold into a new piece of bespoke jewellery, please get in touch to discuss timings and possibilities.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’ll be fully embracing gold rather than shying away from it. I’ve always believed in creating fine jewellery that lasts — pieces with long-term value, both financially and emotionally. As a small independent jewellery brand, I work primarily on a made-to-order basis, prioritising craftsmanship over convenience. I keep very little stock and focus on thoughtful, considered making.

With the continued rise of large jewellery companies mass-producing designs overseas — and building substantial marketing costs into their retail prices — it feels like the right moment to focus even more deeply on traditional goldsmithing skills, quality materials, and meaningful design.

In the Year of the Horse, I’ll be creating beautifully made everyday gold layers alongside more one-off, expressive pieces (expect colour). I’ll also be sharing more regular newsletters, offering a glimpse behind the scenes and linking you through to full blog posts here on the website.

So here’s to 2026 — vitality, change, fine gold jewellery, and my own little horse, Teddy Bear (technically a pony, technically my daughter’s… but close enough). x