The Shape of Water: Six jewelry designers inspired by the sea

At The Jewellery Room, we talk to jewelry designers every day - and to us, there’s nothing we love more than hearing about what inspires them in their work and designs. 

And while fashion design  often take inspiration from trends, current social and political movements, or is shaped to comment on contemporary life, we have found that many jewelry designers find their inspiration in things that are more eternal - like water. 

When it comes to jewelry, there is, of course, a lot to take inspiration from. The way it softly creases in the wind or takes the shape or whatever holds it, or with time reshapes things - rounding and softening edges, redrawing shorelines.

Discover our favourite designers who find inspiration in the deep blue. 

AKVA Jewelry 

Water is the very reason that the AKVA Jewelry exists. It started in 2018 as a project at university working around the UN’s goal for life below water, and since then,  has evolved into one of Copenhagen’s most beloved jewelry brands. Today, founders Tascha, Cecilie and Olivia still find inspiration in life below the surface.

The pieces have organic curves, fine lines and a playful, exploring quality, and everything is cast in recycled precious metals before being finished by hand in their Copenhagen workshop - situated in The Jewellery Room showroom on Bredgade 35. 

Discover AKVA Jewelry here.

Les Mères 

With pearls at the centre of her brand, Les Mères’ sculptural jewelry is crafted from inspiration by the sea, and the power it holds. Every piece is crafted in recycled sterling silver with gold plating, with pearls sourced from a sustainable family farm. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and some are customisable. 

“Nature plays a big part in this, specifically the power of the sea. Our pearls symbolise rebirth, and therefore are seen as treasures that hold a lot of emotion.”, says founder Kim Harmsen. 

Discover Les Mères here. 

Deborah Blyth 

Deborah Blyth grew up by the sea, and the work for her eponymous jewelry brand is still rooted in the natural world - and water, specifically. Deborah has always found refuge in wild swimming, whether in rivers, seas, or London's ponds, and it is there that many of her ideas are born. Every piece is crafted from start to finish within a small area of North London using the ancient lost-wax casting technique, with stone setting carried out in nearby Hatton Garden. 

All silver and gold used is 100% recycled, and diamonds, pearls, and gemstones are ethically sourced from a trusted network of small suppliers. The brand also supports Blue Marine Foundation and their vital work protecting marine ecosystems, improving ocean governance, and supporting the coastal communities who depend on these waters.

Discover Deborah Blyth here. 

Isabella Roux 

Sadhbh Roux-Fouillet, founder of  Isabella Roux, tells us that she returns to where she grew up - by the sea on the west coast of Ireland - whenever she needs to find a way back to her inspiration. She works largely with pearls in organic shapes and forms that look as if they came straight out of the ocean. 

Sadhbh crafts her pieces herself in her London studio, and aside from pearls, Isabella Roux works with responsibly sourced materials, natural or lab-grown diamonds, both ethically sourced, alongside luminous hardstones and precious metals, handcrafted in collaboration with small European workshops that Sadhbh has built long-standing relationships with. 

Discover Isabella Roux here. 

Ole Lynggaard 

When Sofia Norman Lynggaard, as the third generation to design jewelry for the jewelry house her grandfather founded, designed her debut collection, the sea was the central inspiration. The first collection, Under the Sea, features gold bangles, rings and earrings in 18K gold, and combines strength with comfort, capturing the essence of the sea in an endless, textured loop. Its shape and surface are inspired by the ocean’s organic movements and the delicate patterns found in the sand.

 The playful Young Fish collection features fish motifs with coloured gemstones and a crawfish claw pendent in 18K gold. 

Discover Ole Lynggaard here. 

Carré Jewelry 

Copenhagen-based Carré Jewelry, founded by Shiri Rosensweig, have found inspiration beneath the ocean surface for many of her collections - specifically the Reef collection, inspired by coral reef formations and mythical sea nymphs.

Shiri has worked with over 900 different types of gemstones - sourced from India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, Thailand, and across the African continent - and that extraordinary depth of gemstone knowledge sits at the heart of everything Carré makes. Each piece is crafted in precious metals with 18K gold plating. 

Discover Carré Jewelry here.