Last night at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Hall and in front of a glittering audience of over 300 attendees, Susi Smither, Founder, Goldsmith and Creative Director of The Rock Hound won Bronze at The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards.

Smither entered the Ready to Wear category with a yet-to-be released collection – ‘Feeling Druzy’. With the brief to “highlight the fragility of our environment and the beauty of nature as we turn our thoughts and practices towards achieving a Net Zero future.”

The collection recreates natural Druzy Quartz in solid metal, meaning the eye is focused on the delicate crystal form; she then adds her trademark flash of colour to the edge with nano-ceramic, giving the pieces a very modern twist.

“Fragile yet strong druzy quartz crystals grow deep underground where optimal conditions occur. These minute trigonal crystal terminations are perfectly formed and expertly extracted, so we are able to experience these Wonders of the Natural World in their purest form. Crystals grew way before human life began on earth, representing the fragility of our planet, and serving as a resonating reminder to protect the delicate balance which brings harmony to our Natural World” explains Smither.

With a foundation of responsible sourcing, this collection is created in solid 18ct Fairtrade Gold, assuring social impact, a value synonymous with her jewellery brand The Rock Hound.

“We live in a country where we are privileged to have disposable income to spend on jewellery and as a goldsmith I feel I have a duty of care for the miners in my supply chain. Our lives and livelihoods are inextricably linked.

My collection Feeling Druzy which represents the fragility and beauty of the Natural World, is made in solid 18ct Fairtrade Gold. Through working with this artisanally-mined Peruvian gold, I’m able to create jewellery which contributes to nine of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Helping look after people and planet.”

On Susi winning this important award during Fairtrade Fortnight, Mahsa Yeganeh, Gold Supply Chain and Programme Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, explains:

“We are proud to partner with the talented Susi Smither of The Rock Hound, who has been championing Fairtrade gold for a decade now. Her vivid, award-winning designs are matched by her commitment to responsibly mined ethical gold. The GC&DC Bronze award confirms that The Rock Hound is truly one of the best in the business.”

All the winning pieces from The Craftsmanship & Design Awards are now on public display in an exhibition running from 1 – 4 March 2022 at The Goldsmiths’ Hall, Foster Lane, London EC2V 6BN. Open Daily from 10.00 – 17.00 (late until 20.00 on Wed 2nd March)

Smither previously won Bronze in Technological Innovation with her brand The Rock Hound at the GC&DC back in 2017.