How Sterling Silver Jewellery Is Handmade
Handmade sterling silver jewellery is created through a series of careful, hands-on processes. Unlike mass-produced jewellery, each piece passes through the maker’s hands many times before it is finished.
At Olivia Dryden Jewellery, many designs begin with real natural specimens such as flowers, leaves, shells, bones and marine life. These forms are transformed into sterling silver jewellery while preserving their original texture and detail.
The design stage
Some pieces begin with a sketch. Others begin with a specimen. A flower, shell, claw or small bone might already have the shape, movement or symbolism I want to preserve.
The design stage is about deciding what the piece should become. Will it be a pendant, earrings, brooch, bracelet or one-off statement piece? Should it include pearls or gemstones? Should the finish be bright, softly polished or oxidised to bring out texture?
Casting natural specimens
Casting is one of the most important processes in my work. It allows a fragile natural form to become a lasting sterling silver object. The original texture of the specimen is preserved, so the final piece still carries the character of the plant, shell or bone that inspired it.
This process is especially important across my Botanical, Oceanic and Curios collections, which are united by craftsmanship, storytelling and contemporary design.
Forming, soldering and refining
Once a piece is in metal, it still requires extensive hand work. Components may need to be shaped, soldered, cleaned, filed, sanded or assembled. Earrings need secure posts or hooks. Pendants need bails or chains. Brooches need functional fittings. Each small decision affects how the jewellery sits, moves and feels when worn.
This is where handmade jewellery becomes personal. The maker is not simply producing an object. They are responding to the form, adjusting details and making sure the piece feels resolved.
Polishing and finishing
The finish of a piece can completely change its mood. A high polish can highlight brightness and reflection. An oxidised finish can deepen texture and create contrast. A soft polish can make a piece feel organic and worn-in.
For jewellery inspired by natural specimens, finishing is about balance. I want the silver to feel refined, but not so polished that it loses the texture and character of the original form.
Why handmade jewellery matters
Handmade jewellery carries evidence of time, skill and attention. It is made in smaller quantities, often with more care and more connection to the maker’s ideas.
Olivia Dryden is an Adelaide-based contemporary jeweller with a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design. Her work has been exhibited throughout Australia and stocked by selected galleries and retailers, adding important artist authority to the brand.
Explore related pieces
The Large Geraldton Wax Hook Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Botanical Collection, a series of nature inspired jewellery created from real flowers, plants and organic forms.
The original Geraldton Wax flower was selected from my garden and cast to preserve its natural texture. The result is a piece that feels intimate and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by nature, memory and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver.
Process: Each piece is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Natural variation is part of the process, so small differences in texture, shape and character should be expected.
Dimensions: each flower approx. 2cm x 2cm
Explore more: View the Botanical Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Will each botanical piece look exactly the same?
A: No. Because the work begins with natural specimens and is handmade in small quantities, each piece may have slight variations in form and surface detail.
Q2: How do I clean the earrings?
A: Due to the intricate, hard-to-reach details in this piece, a silver dip may be used occasionally to clean the sterling silver more evenly than a polishing cloth. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully and rinse thoroughly.
Q3: Are the Large Geraldton Wax Hook Earrings suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet bag and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Small Seahorse Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Oceanic Collection, a series inspired by marine life, coastal forms and the textures of the South Australian shoreline.
The design began with a real seahorse found along the South Australian coastline. It was carefully moulded so its curled form, ridged body and delicate natural detail could be preserved before being transformed into sterling silver.
Small in scale but rich in texture, this pendant offers a subtle connection to the sea. Worn on a sterling silver chain, it becomes a refined ocean-inspired keepsake shaped by the coastline, memory and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each pendant is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original seahorse was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: 1.7 x 1.2 cm. 445 cm length chain
Explore more: View the Oceanic Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Small Seahorse Pendant made from a real seahorse?
A: The finished pendant is made from sterling silver, not organic material. The design began with a real seahorse found along the South Australian coastline, which was carefully moulded so its curled form, ridged body and fine natural detail could be preserved before being cast in sterling silver.
Q2: How do I clean the Small Seahorse Pendant ?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the earrings include a freshwater pearl or onyx drop, do not place the drop in silver dip. A silver dip may be used occasionally on the silver components only, following the product instructions carefully before rinsing and drying completely.
Q3: Is the Small Seahorse Pendant suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to ocean lovers, nature collectors and those who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Wishbone Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The original bird wishbone was carefully moulded and cast in sterling silver, preserving the fine structure of the specimen with respect and intention. The result is a piece that feels intimate and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by nature, memory and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each piece is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Natural variation is part of the process, so small differences in texture, shape and character should be expected.
Dimensions: Bone 4cm long, 45cm length chain
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Wishbone Pendant made from real bone?
A: The finished necklace is made from sterling silver, not bone. The design began with a real bird femur, which was carefully moulded so its delicate natural form and surface detail could be preserved. That mould was then used to cast the piece in sterling silver, creating a lasting metal version of the original specimen. This process allows the necklace to honour the structure of the bone while remaining durable and wearable as jewellery.
Q2: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is made with respect for the original specimen.
Q How do I clean the Necklace?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth.
The Crab Claw Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Oceanic Collection, a series inspired by marine life, coastal forms and the textures of the South Australian shoreline.
The design began with a real crab claw found along the South Australian coastline. It was carefully moulded so its curved shape, fine surface texture and natural structure could be preserved before being transformed into sterling silver.
Freshwater pearls add soft organic lustre to the sculptural silver claw, creating a gentle contrast between delicacy and strength. The result is refined, oceanic and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by the coastline, natural specimens and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each pendant is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original crab claw was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, finish and pearl character should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: 4 x 1.5 cm. 45 cm length chain.
Explore more: View the Oceanic Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q3: What does the crab claw symbolise?
A: A crab claw can suggest protection, resilience and the strength of coastal life. In this pendant, it also reflects a direct connection to the South Australian shoreline and the delicate natural forms found along the coast.
Q3: How do I clean the Crab Claw Pendant?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the spider form has fine, hard-to-reach details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Q3: Is the Crab Claw Pendant suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with symbolism, story and a slightly gothic sensibility.
FAQ
What is handmade sterling silver jewellery?
Handmade sterling silver jewellery is jewellery made through hands-on processes such as casting, forming, soldering, polishing and finishing rather than large-scale mass production.
Is sterling silver suitable for everyday jewellery?
Yes. Sterling silver is widely used for earrings, necklaces, rings, brooches and bracelets, though it should be cared for properly to reduce tarnish and wear.
Where is Olivia Dryden Jewellery made?
Olivia Dryden Jewellery is handcrafted in Adelaide, South Australia.
What makes Olivia Dryden Jewellery different?
Many pieces are created from real natural specimens, including botanical forms, shells, bones and marine life.
Written by Olivia Dryden
Olivia Dryden is an Adelaide-based contemporary jeweller creating handcrafted sterling silver jewellery inspired by botanical specimens, ocean treasures, natural history and memento mori traditions. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design and was awarded a Helpmann Academy Fellowship, which enabled specialist taxidermy studies in London. Her work has been exhibited throughout Australia and is stocked by selected galleries and retailers.
