The atelier
A small workshop by the water
Four jewellers, one long bench and a window onto the Colne. Everything Ostrea sells is made here.
Why by hand
A piece made by hand carries small marks of the person who made it. We think that is the point of fine jewellery.
We started Ostrea in 2019 after years of repairing other people's jewellery. Most of what came across the bench had been made quickly and finished badly. We wanted to make fewer pieces, with time to finish each one properly, in recycled gold that does not need to be mined again.
Step 1
Sketch and wax
Every piece starts as a pencil sketch. We carve the design in jeweller's wax so you can hold the shape before any gold is cast.
Step 2
Cast and shape
The wax is cast in recycled 18ct gold. We saw, file and solder the rough casting into its final form.
Step 3
Set
Stones are set by hand under a loupe. A single claw setting can take an afternoon.
Step 4
Polish
We polish through finer and finer compounds until the gold has a deep, soft shine, then check every piece against your order.
Visit us by appointment
The atelier is open for fittings from Tuesday to Saturday. Come and see the bench, try pieces on and talk through a commission.