Igor Siebold

Jewellery maker

The products of a curious mind

Igor's jewellery is inspired by the properties of the materials he uses
He loves telling stories through objects
He specialises in using Milanese mesh and titanium

Igor Siebold decided to become a jeweller because he loved shapes and materials. Curiosity is an important part of his personality, which led him very early on to explore the properties of each material. Did you know that titanium chips burn, creating a light so intense it looks like fireworks? In uncovering such secrets, Igor learned to use materials with great respect for their different features, something that has become a key element of his work. For example, inspired by the lightness of titanium, he created a pair of earrings called Satellites, weighing just 4.2 grams each. While titanium is the metal that fascinates him the most, he also uses gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

Interview

What skills are required to be a jeweller?: The crafting of certain pieces requires excellent knowledge of chemical reactions and electricity, in addition to the usual jewellery-related skills. People easily imagine physicists or chemists to have that type of knowledge, but are surprised to see them in a jeweller.
What special machines do you use?: My stamping machine was made in 1916 by a Swiss company that still exists. I built my welding robot myself and programmed it with the help of a professional in 2018. I use both – as well as many others – on a daily basis.
Have you always had a workshop in Geneva?: Yes. I opened it in 1993, and my wife Ioana joined me in 2015. It combines a workshop in the rear and underground space, with an exhibition area in the front. That’s why we call it a gallery-workshop, because we sell what we produce here.
What advice would you give to a young jeweller starting out?: I sometimes feel sorry for the younger generations, because the studies for this craft are much less hands-on now. So while young people bring good background knowledge, they often lack insight into the craft itself. I advise them to work on the materials physically to understand them. Try, fail, start again, persevere.

Igor Siebold is a master artisan: he began his career in 1988 and he started teaching in 1988