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Stories in silver.
Inspired by a fascination with ancient mythology and legends, Urban Sterling was created for the purpose of telling stories though the medium of precious metals. Pieces are divided up into chapters, each chapter is a unified entity, working with a common theme. An unhurried and discerning design ethos ensures that each piece is an clear expression of an artistic vision that will last for centuries to come. Whenever I begin work on a new piece, I consider both the form and the function. The form must represent the story or myth being conveyed, but without compromising the wearability or durability of the piece in question. This is where the unique challenge of story-telling in metal lies, a precise blend of art, engineering and narrative: to take a story, and turn it into a wearable expression of the owner.
Founded in October 2020 in the city of Newcastle, Urban Sterling is a modern company with modern values. Ethical practices are at the forefront of all business decisions, including establishing partnerships only with suppliers with certified 100% recycled and slavery free supply chains. Labor is never outsourced overseas, and all domestic shipping is carbon neutral.
I put a lot of effort into ensuring that as well as the pieces themselves, 100% of packing and postage materials are biodegradable. All of my packaging is made of cardboard or paper and is FSC approved, signifying responsible forestry.
Urban Sterling rings are produced using the lost wax casting method. This method has been in use for over 6,000 years, and has a rich and vibrant history. It is truly a personal method of creating jewellery. Every piece is produced individually in my casting house in Sydney, and finished in my Newcastle studio by hand. This process allows an authenticity you just can’t get from a mass produced piece manufactured in a factory somewhere in China. Lost wax casting can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilization in 4000BC. It’s first ever recorded use was the creation of a brass amulet, but it’s since been adapted for use with a wide variety of metals. I chose this technique to make my rings because of its tight tolerances and excellent, smooth finish, as well as to pay homage to the time honoured history of jewellery making.
