Design interview: 10 minutes with jeweller Clarice Price Thomas

Kate Lough meets the 25-year-old Londoner behind this Art Deco-style jewellery brand
Clarice in her Hackney Wick studio
Kate Lough1 July 2016

Clarice is 25 years old, lives in Leytonstone and works from a studio in Hackney Wick, where every piece of Art Deco-style jewellery is designed and handmade by Clarice. Stocked at the Basics Store on Redchurch Street, pop-up until July 27 and Pärla in Boxpark, the go-to jewellery store for independent designers. Customers can also visit Clarice in her studio to try things on and hand pick from her collections.

How did you get into jewellery design?

I grew up as the daughter of a watch and clock maker and spent my childhood surrounded by the traditional machines my Dad uses for his work. I think this sparked something in me and from then on I knew I always wanted to create jewellery. With no formal training, I moved to London and spent several years working in the jewellery industry and training at the bench to sharpen my skills. Once I felt ready I moved into my first workshop and launched my brand!

Do you have any advice for anyone starting out?

Hone your craft and refine your process. For me the most important element of my work is the quality, finish and materials; each piece is handcrafted and finished in my studio using recycled metals and the finest diamonds and gemstones. So with this in mind, Iʼd really advise those starting out to train on the job alongside a Goldsmith, youʼll learn so much about traditional jewellery making and your attention to detail will ensure your work stands out.

A Silver Bridge Bangle from her Transience Collection

How would you describe your design ethos? Whatʼs the story behind your collections? And what makes it unique?

Clean lines and symmetry coupled with exacting mathematical precision and a high polish finish. When I design my collections, I constantly strive for them to meet those things yet still retain a sense of delicateness and detail. Also, most importantly for me is that the jewellery can be comfortably and easily worn. Craftsmanship is very much at the heart of my aesthetic; people often say my jewellery looks very Art Deco and I think thatʼs because those craftspeople creating those pieces were so skilled so itʼs a huge compliment for me to hear that.

My first collection was directly influenced by my upbringing as the daughter of a horologist. I used lathes and milling machines to create cogs in the exact same way watchmakerʼs would do so, but in silver and gold. Very much driven by the process, I experimented with what other shapes could be created using those machines and then the Metropolis Collection was born. The collection features series of repeated geometric shapes, with stepped detail and different heights.

Pieces from the Transience Collection

My most recent collection just launched, Transience, explores these themes further, this time introducing a slightly more sculptural quality to them with gentle curves and for the first time seeing new technology in the form of CAD helping the making process.

What/who are you inspired by when designing?

Mostly I would say that my designs are often inspired by the making processes used to create the jewellery; this experimentation pushes my thinking into what else can be created, how can I add to it, or take something away.

Aside from that Iʼm always constantly inspired living in London and especially by how other young designers are making their mark; Marina who is redefining how to wear silk and Alice of Blake London who creates beautiful knitwear.

Inspiring: one of Marina London's silk designs, the pink Ines jumpsuit

What kind of woman do you envisage wearing your designs?

I love that my jewellery is worn by so many women with different lives and styles across the UK and beyond. I think what unites these women is that they appreciate quality and good design.

The jewellery is designed for those whoʼre looking for pieces to help create and compliment their own style.

Are you working on any new design/projects/collaborations at the moment?

Yes! Iʼm about to launch my debut Bridal Collection which Iʼm incredibly excited for! Itʼs a selection of ten engagement rings that each have a specially designed wedding ring created to sit snug next to them for the perfect wedding set. Over the past year Iʼve been lucky enough to create lots of bespoke engagement rings for lovely couples who had struggled to find something they felt suited their style and taste off the shelf. Therefore my approach for the wedding collection was to design the rings so that they can be completely customised with different metal and stones options.

A bespoke emerald, diamond and platinum engagement ring designed by Clarice 

Whatʼs your favourite piece from your archive?

From my ready to wear silver collections, my favourite piece is the Antumbra Ring which is from my Metropolis Collection. Itʼs sleek design, crisp edges and symmetrical lines sum up my aesthetic.

Iʼm also coveting a recent bespoke engagement ring that I just finished for a lovely London couple- it features gorgeous vivid green Emerald centre set in platinum with little pave set diamonds.

What was the last piece of jewellery you bought?

Iʼm lucky to have so many friends whoʼre also jewellers and we often swap pieces- Iʼm currently coveting a piece from my favourite gal in the jewellery world, Jessie Harris.

Do you have any tips for people looking to invest in a piece of jewellery?

Definitely work with an independent jeweller to create a bespoke piece! Jewellery is so personal and I think having something made especially for you is an incredible thing and doesnʼt necessarily need to cost as much as youʼd first think as the beauty with bespoke is that designers will be happy to work within your budget so you get something beautifully designed, well crafted and unique to you. This is such a rewarding and growing part of my business; Iʼve had the pleasure of making engagement rings, wedding rings, special birthday presents and commemorative pieces for my clients helping create future heirlooms that will be treasured and passed down through generations.

A platinum and diamond engagement ring Clarice made for a client

What is your most prized piece of jewellery?

I have a beautiful antique silver cuff designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany. Itʼs called the Bone Cuff and was made in the 70s and is sculpted to fit around the wrist and follow the contours of the bones. My late grandma was given it by one of her admirers and magically it fits my wrist as perfectly as it did hers.

Do you have a favourite design boutique in London? And a favourite hotel, restaurant or bar in London where you love the interior design?

My favourite design boutique would have to be Monologue on Redchurch Street and I love the Ace Hotel around the corner.

Design hotspot: Hoi Polloi at Ace hotel in Shoreditch 
Ed Reeve

Describe the day in the life of a jewellery designer...

It really is a surprise everyday but normally I like to get to the workshop early to sit quietly with a cup of tea, replying to emails and going through my ʻto-makeʼ list for the day. Then I crack on at the bench; working my way through online and shop orders, bespoke pieces and new collection samples.

Iʼll usually have to dash to Hatton Garden to stock up on materials and to source and hand-select diamonds/gemstones for bespoke commissions. Then back to the workshop in time for meeting customers who have come to collect their finished engagement and wedding rings. I share the behind the scenes of my day to day on Instagram, so head there for a nosey!

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