Heather Guidero
Jewellery maker
Providence, RI, USA
Statement pieces for everyday flair
- Heather creates heirloom-quality fine jewellery
- Her designs are made with responsibly sourced metals and stones
- She teaches metalsmithing to teens and adults in Providence, Rhode Island
After receiving her BFA in jewellery from the Rhode Island School of Design, Heather Guidero moved to New York to work as a goldsmith for a leading fine jewellery brand. “I went from pinching pennies to buy a tiny amount of gold wire for my senior project, to working with whole bars of gold, totally immersing myself in the material,” she recalls. As Heather learned the basics of stone setting and running a jewellery business, she began assembling her own bench, fashioned from a library table she found on a Brooklyn street, and designing her own pieces. In 2006, she established her studio in Providence, Rhode Island, where she uses ancient techniques alongside cutting-edge tools to transform ethically sourced gold, silver and stones.
Discover her work
INTERVIEW
Everything passes through my hands, and most of the techniques I use have not changed in hundreds of years. I use computer-aided design for a few things, but it is just another tool in the toolbox. I am excited by the prospect of fusing ancient practices with emerging technology, such as 3D printers and engravers.
The newer mosaic pieces are made from strands of gorgeous square and rectangular opals from Ethiopia, which I rivet onto oxidised sterling silver. I use a micro-welder to make tiny welds, keeping the opals safe so they do not overheat or crack during assembly. I have also expanded this series beyond opals, creating limited edition pieces with tourmalines and aquamarines.
I am always looking to revisit the past using new materials and processes. At one point, I was really interested in Georgian-era cut-steel jewellery or Art Deco-era costume jewellery. I find it important to spend time with fine art, so I try to go to New York City regularly to visit museums and galleries.
I want them to feel like the most empowered, confident and fabulous version of themselves. My jewellery is not meant to be worn only for special occasions. I love meeting clients who wear pieces of mine every day of the year.
