Crafting Impermanence

Metal scarcity is a growing global challenge, particularly for the jewellery sector, which faces rising costs and limited supplies. This raises the critical question: what does the future of contemporary jewellery look like in a landscape of metal scarcity? To address these challenges, this project positioned biodesign and biomaterials as essential methods, offering new opportunities and alternative materials in contemporary jewellery. I tested and iterated on a range of biomaterials, resulting in a collection of impermanent jewellery objects. The project challenges viewers to rethink their ideas of value in jewellery, suggesting that new worth can be found in the ephemeral qualities of biomaterials. It invites viewers to consider how the impermanence of wearable adornment might transform our relationships with these objects. The project aims to inspire new conversations about the potential of biodesign and biomaterials in jewellery, encouraging contemporary makers to adopt more regenerative methods that foster ecological harmony and celebrate connections to the local landscape.