Bex has her own engaging jewellery; Family weddings When jewellery designer Bex Bardon said “I will” to a proposal of marriage it was almost inevitable that she’d want to make her own engagement ring; in her case, five rings. Hilarie Stelfox takes a look at contemporary wedding jewellery
Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Jan 21, 2009
THERE can be no doubt that Bex Bardon is now engaged to be married.
The five stacking rings on the third finger of her left hand shout it out, in a stylish contemporary way, to the world..
“I wanted,” says 27-year-old Elland jewellery-maker Bex, “something really striking and unusual, something a bit funky but a take on traditional.” With her group of hand-made rings in white, red and yellow gold, and three types of red stone – ruby, red spinel and fire opal – she has created a work of art that is also an advertisement for her skill and creative talent.
Bex works full time as a jewellery designer and has a Level 3 City and Guilds qualification in jewellery and silversmithing.
Her work is sold at a number of galleries throughout the region, including Dean Clough in Halifax and the Kath Libbert Gallery at Salt’s Mill, Saltaire.
Next month she is launching her own range of men’s wedding jewellery, which will be part of the Alternative Wedding Show at Kath Libbert’s gallery in February.
It’s a collection of cufflinks, tie-pins, tie slides and rings aimed at bridegrooms.
“Men tend to get left out a lot with jewellery, but guys are starting to accessorise more these days. I’m also showing rings, tiaras, necklaces and earrings at the Wedding Show in Salt’s Mill,” said Bex.
Proposing to a jewellery maker meant that her intended, Jonathan Telfer, a 33-year-old journalist, knew he’d have to think of something novel.
“Instead of proposing to me with a ring he said he would finance me to make my own rings.
“He said I could make my fantasy rings, which is what I’ve done,” said Bex, who estimates the retail value of her rings at about pounds 600 each.
The couple, who met at a beer festival in Saltaire – Bex was working at the Kath Libbert Gallery – became officially engaged last month, when Bex completed her rings.
“It took me a whole year because I had to source the stones. I travelled to gem fairs and had to make the settings,” she said.
Bex, who has a six-year-old son, Kaius, set her heart on being a jewellery designer when she was still at school and has pursued her chosen career with a fierce determination.
She now has a workshop at home, where she will also be making a white gold wedding band for Jonathan – with a brown diamond to give it a modern twist – and her tiara for their wedding day.
“We want to get married in a castle and I’m planning to have a red dress, to match my hair,” said Bex, whose locks are a stunning study in scarlet.
Although she has yet to choose her dress, or venue, one thing is certain – it will be a different sort of wedding, one that befits the wearer of five rings!
To see more of Bex’s work check out www.bexbardon.co.uk
Bex will also be making a white gold wedding band for Jonathan – with a brown diamond to give it a modern twist – and her tiara for their wedding day.
‘Men tend to get left out a lot with jewellery ‘ but guys are starting to accessorise more
hilarie.stelfox@examiner.co.uk
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WEDDING BELLE: Who better to make her own stylish engagement ring than jewellery-maker Bex Bardon
yellow engagement rings