Introducing... Claire Hill Designs
We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to Claire Hill Designs.
A brand new maker and her collections have arrived at Ada, where we are all in love with her work.
Claire creates jewellery that gets you noticed without saying a word. Easy but impactful pieces to elevate your every day look.
So let's get to know a little more about Claire...
About Claire Hill
Based in Cardiff, Claire has been designing jewellery since 2014. She is passionate about exceptional quality, affordability, and building an independent business that's more transparent and sustainable day by day.
Claire's pieces have been featured in Elle, Tatler, The Guardian, Rock N Roll Bride Magazine, Hello, YOU Magazine. Celebrity model and TV Presenter Laura Whitmore from Love Island, and professional dancer and presenter from Strictly Come Dancing Janette Manrara, are also fans of the coin necklaces from Claire's Shorthand Collection.
Trend-led, every day style
Claire's collection is a range of timeless, demi-fine jewellery with a modern edge. All about effortless style that never goes out of fashion, enhancing your every day style with touches of trend-led luxury.
These are pieces you will fall in love and become firm favourites.
Claire has loved unusual jewellery for as long as she can remember. She believes in the powerful memories it can evoke, or ability to remind you of your favourite people.
Her pieces make the perfect gift for friends or family members, or for layering with your own treasured pieces to define your unique style.
Why choose demi-fine jewellery
If you want to create a modern, timeless jewellery collection that you can wear daily without breaking the bank, then demi-fine is the way for you.
The perfect option for bridging the gap between high street fashion jewellery and fine jewellery, such as solid gold.
Claire's work has a premium, solid 925 sterling silver base for every piece, and some pieces finished with a 14ct gold vermeil plating.
Using recycled silver
All of Claire's pieces are made with a solid silver base, never brass, copper or base metals. Using 100% recycled silver makes it a more sustainable option for us and the planet.
Claire uses 925 Sterling Silver so you can be sure of quality every time, with jewellery that is hypoallergenic and contains no nickel or brass.
Using recycled silver reduces CO2 emissions by two-thirds compared to mined silver. The refiner used for Claire's work is on the LBMA's (London Bullion Market Association) Good Delivery List and is also a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
Choosing gold vermeil
Gold vermeil (pronounced ver'may) is a way of having premium, long-lasting finish at an affordable price.
There's nothing worse than buying a piece of jewellery, falling in love, only to have it tarnish after a few months. That's why all of the gold jewellery Claire Hill makes, uses gold vermeil. It means that every single piece has a solid base of precious 925 sterling silver (all recycled). It is then plated with a 14k gold vermeil 2.5 microns thick. This plating is 5x thicker than normal gold plate.
Ethically-mined and lab grown gemstones
The factories Claire works with only use ethically-sourced gemstones. They have years of working with trusted suppliers who guarantee ethical sources of materials.
Mined gemstones are not without their issues and the jewellery industry is still playing catch up in the best way to make these as ethical and sustainable as possible. This is an ongoing process of improvement.
One of the solutions is lab-grown gemstones. Claire uses a selection of lab-grown opals and cubic zirconia in her designs. These have all the beauty and chemical make-up of mined stones, but avoid the heavy toll that mining puts on the land.
Ethics and sustainability
Claire works with two jewellery workshops based in Thailand. They have high standards of staff welfare and pay, no child or forced labour and proper working hours. One is a member of The Responsible Jewellery Council and the other has been audited by Intertek.
These workshops have a high female workforce with many women in management positions. Between both workshops they have schemes like onsite childcare, education scholarships, paid for Covid vaccinations for staff and have set up charity funds and services for families in need.
Claire also uses a family-run jewellery workshop in Shropshire for a selection of chains, and a gold plater in Hatton Garden, London.
In 2022, Claire is working with a third workshop in India which has the same ethos and ethics as her other makers, who are currently undertaking the process to be a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council.
Claire's ethos
Claire believes in mixing metals and styles, breaking the rules and never saving items for best! If you love it, wear and enjoy it every day, and take it on life's adventures with you.
She has always believed in creating jewellery that is designed to work with your wardrobe seamlessly, and make you feel great in an instant. Who has the time to work out if their accessories clash with their outfit each morning?!
From your wedding day to the office, beach to bar, Claire Hill jewellery always evokes your true style in any setting. It's super comfy and easy-to-wear allowing you to feel effortlessly confident 24/7.
Beyond that, Claire also believes in giving more for your money. Which is why she designs jewellery collections that can be worn in numerous ways.
We hope you love her work as much as we do!
Shop the full Claire Hill Designs collection.
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