Valentine’s gifts from the Island’s most talented jewellers

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching (and the twang of cupid’s bow getting louder) it’s the perfect time to find a meaningful gift from one of the Isle of Wight’s talented jewellers. Whether it’s for a husband, fiancée, girlfriend or significant other, our skilled silversmiths and goldsmiths have been busy these past few months, hammering away at their workbenches to ensure they’ll have something truly special for everyone.

Following the gentle tap of hammers through the streets of Ventnor, you’ll find yourself outside Honeybourne Jewellery on Church Street. Set up by Sophie Honeybourne just a month after graduating from London’s prestigious Royal College of Art in 2003, it has now grown to a team of three, making everything from avocado drop earrings to acorn cufflinks.

Sophie’s interest in jewellery and passion for all things shiny stems all the way back to her childhood. “I have vivid memories of waking up from pirate-esque dreams, my small fists still clenched tightly shut from holding all the shining coins, jewel-encrusted crowns and rainbow-coloured gemstones I’d discovered buried deep within wooden chests”. Now she makes her own treasures, often inspired by nature and the surrounding landscape.

Stepping inside the compact Honeybourne shop today, there are plenty of sparkling bracelets, bangles and necklaces just perfect for your loved one. Take the Clam Shell Charm, for instance, designed and handmade by Sophie herself, cast in sterling silver and hand finished by the in-house team. Or perhaps opt for the enamel and silver pendant inspired by the traditional wooden Swedish Dala horses – a symbol of good luck in Scandinavia!

Our top picks:

• Cornflower Dala Horse Pendant, Honeybourne Jewellery (£86–£90).
• Clam Shell Charm, Honeybourne Jewellery (£30–£52).

Honeybourne Jewellery, 3 Church Street, Ventnor

Nearer the centre of the Island, among the cluster of wooden workshops at Arreton Barns, sits Thomas P Cochran – a family-run jewellery maker first founded in Mauritius in 2015. For the head of the family, Thomas, it all began after he picked up a conch shell on an Indian Ocean beach, made a mould from it and then cast it in Sterling silver. Previously working in gold mines in Zimbabwe and studying silversmithing in South Africa, he already had the skills and soon their first shop opened in the seaside village of Tamarin, selling shell sculptures and jewellery.

Now based on the Isle of Wight, and with his son (also called Thomas) joining the team, they specialise in marine-inspired pieces, perfect for seaside-loving spouses. Valentine’s Day options could include: the 8.5g sold silver Whale Tail Bracelet (for him) with smart leather strap, or the finely crafted Sea Star Ring (for her) made with an open style to conveniently fit most ring sizes.

Our top picks:

• Sea Star Ring, Thomas P Cochran (£48).
• Whale Tail Bracelet with Leather Strap, Thomas P Cochran (£90).

Thomas P Cochran, Arreton Barns, Arreton

Situated on the rugged Military Road, overlooking the endless blue waters of The Channel, is Isle of Wight Pearl, where on-site designers have been creating handmade pearl jewellery since 1988. Working closely with pearl farmers (mainly in China and Japan) they can offer the finest quality at the best prices – and by offsetting the environmental impact of their jewellery and packaging, their pearls are certified carbon neutral too.

Looking for romantic gifts for that special someone, you could go for the Tassel Pearl Bracelet – a delicate piece combining gold-plated silver and a Crown quality freshwater pearl. If your plans for Valentine’s Day include going down on one knee and asking a special question, then perhaps the Baroque Pearl Ring is a better option, featuring the striking silhouette of a natural baroque pearl set on a stunning gold-plated ring.

Our top picks:

• Baroque Pearl Ring, Isle of Wight Pearl (£100).
• Tassel Pearl Bracelet, Isle of Wight Pearl (£40).

Isle of Wight Pearl, Military Road, Brighstone

It all started for Becca Charlo at the age of 14, being given the first of many silver bangles. Now (after years of designing, practice and study) Becca makes her jewellery, working at Visual Impact and the Jewellery Cabin under the name Be Charlo and focusing on organic shapes and mixed materials. For a simple and elegant gift, try the Wave Water Twisted Silver Bangle, a naturally flowing piece inspired by the sea – or there’s the Hammered Triangle Pendant, made from Sterling silver, it’s a symbol of feminine energy.

Our top picks:

• Wave Water Twisted Silver Bangle, Be Charlo (£45–£60).
• Hammered Triangle Pendant, Be Charlo (£55).

becharlo.co.uk

Newport’s Holyrood Street is the location for Adrienne Wroath’s stylish studio, where she’s been making handcrafted jewellery using traditional methods since graduating with a degree in fine art from the University of Creative Arts (and moving back to the Island) in 2014. Amongst her contemporary, rustic-look wares, the Little Moon Ring is especially captivating – with a hand-carved face and a pitted pattern hammered on top. If however, you met your one true love on Island shores, perhaps the Isle of Wight-shaped silver pendant could be a more heartfelt option.

Our top picks:

• 9ct Gold Little Moon Ring, Adrienne Wroath (£275).
• Sterling Silver Island Pendant, Adrienne Wroath (£55).

Adrienne Wroath, 26 Holyrood Street, Newport

Lauren Griffiths learnt her craft in Birmingham’s renowned Jewellery Quarter before launching her harbour-side studio in Bembridge – Little Joy Jewellery. Now an award-winning designer, she focuses on minimal, mindful and artisanal products using Fairtrade materials, recycled packaging and wooden ring boxes made from industry offcuts. For a gift to make hearts melt (well, one special one) opt for the handcrafted love letter with an 18-inch chain, made from 9-carat yellow gold. Alternatively, if your other half is super stylish perhaps the striking Golden Path single earring – a statement piece, worn alone or as a pair – could be just up their street.

Our top picks:

• 9ct Gold Love Letter and Chain, Little Joy Jewellery (£150–£180).
• ‘Golden Path’ Single Earring, Little Joy Jewellery (£25–£90).

Littlejoyjewellery.com

ℹ️ A version of this article by James Rayner first appeared in Wightlife magazine. All details and prices were correct at time of going to press (December 2022) are subject to change. Please check availability with individual retailers.