The New NAJ Pin… a Preview
05 Jun 2019
Last year we launched a competition to design a new pin for the NAJ Chair. The winner was Bethan Cubbin, and thanks to the generosity of industry stalwarts – who are all providing responsibly sourced materials – the pin is now in production.
THE BRIEF was to design a beautiful, gender-neutral, ‘Past and Future’ pin for the NAJ’s chair to wear at formal events and engagements where the (very heavy!) full regalia might not be required. Forming part of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards, the proposal stated that the design should include some form of symbolic representation or correlation to the origins of the NAJ – its logo for instance. The pin should also incorporate a facility to hang the jewel as a pendant.
In her design, BETHAN CUBBIN, a student at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University, has incorporated contrasting metals, gold and silver, to represent the NAG/BJA merger to create the NAJ, to make up the unicorn horn from the NAJ logo. Also taken from the logo, the pin also features the lion’s head as well as a round blue gemstone (for the ring on the shield) and a red baguette for the timer on the shield. The pin’s shape is based on the jeweller’s bow drill.
Bethan Cubbin's winning pin design
COOKSONGOLD, the UK’s largest one-stop shop for the jewellery maker, now stocks the largest range of Fairtrade Gold in Europe and will be providing the gold for the pin. Fairtrade Gold ensures small-scale and artisanal miners are paid a fair price and receive an extra amount of money to invest in building the future of their families and their communities, through education, clean water and healthcare. Cooksongold became a certified supplier of Fairtrade Gold and the first major supplier in the UK in 2011.
CHARLES GREEN, a founder member of the former British Jewellers Association, is making the pin, from CAD to completion. The Birmingham-based business has invested in the latest technology, including 3D scanners, printers and CAD software that enables it to provide high resolution images of design work, sample waxes and more. With its many years of experience it can help to create all manner of jewellery, from bespoke engagement rings to shaped-to-fit wedding rings, from seal cut signet rings to one-off pendants.
WESTON BEAMOR will be responsible for the 3D printing and casting for the piece. The company was one of the first UK casting houses to receive Fair Trade Gold accreditation and offers the service usi ng 18ct and 9ct yellow, white and red alloys. Truly an expert, Weston Beamor was also one of the first manufacturers to offer a 3D printing service.
Centre: Weston Beamor, Right: Charles Green
CURTEIS, a UK family-owned and operated jewellery manufacturer, offers a variety of jewellery findings and components. With a wide range of chain as its core product, Shropshire-based Curteis offers Fairtrade Gold chain in a variety of lengths, gauges and weights. Curteis has provided the Fairtrade Gold chain for the pin.
NINETEEN48 has donated a blue sapphire for the pin. The company offers responsibly mined and fully traceable coloured gemstones from a number of carefully selected sources globally. It supplies sapphire and ruby, as well as a wide range of other gemstones including aquamarine, garnet, spinel, amethyst, tourmaline, tanzanite, citrine, peridot and topaz. Nineteen48’s aim is to provide a competitive product to trade and private customers, and a fair return to its partners.
GF WILLIAMS’ team of qualified gemmologists provides exemplary gemstone industry knowledge and expertise to support its clients’ needs. The Hatton Garden business offers an extensive and varied range of high quality loose gemstones, sourced from across the globe, many of which can be viewed on its online catalogue and are available from stock in a variety of cuts and sizes. “We’re delighted to be able to support the NAJ with this prestigious project and look forward to seeing the finished article containing our beautiful stones when it is finally unveiled,” says Jason Williams.
HATTON & SPENCER provides beautiful packaging that creates unforgettable customer experiences. Its collections range from stylishly textured, contemporary boxes to traditional designs with classic detailing and materials. For the NAJ pin, a premium-quality wooden hinged box has been selected. It features a semi-matt varnished American walnut wood veneer, with a classic black lining and insert with a Nappa leather feel. The company’s manufacturing partner has been creating high quality, innovative packaging for over 100 years. As a signatory of the UN Global Compact since 2005 and a longstanding Sedex member, it’s committed to social and environmental responsibility and ethical global trade practices.
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