Behind the scenes at Honu Handmade Jewellery

In my workshop: the birth of a Honu piece of jewellery

Each piece of Honu jewellery is created at my workbench. There is no industrial production, no molds, and no casting. Just tools, my hands, and a constant passion for metal and its gradual transformation.

Each creation bears the mark of craftsmanship and the DNA of my brand. 

The selection of materials: a deliberate choice

Solid 925 or 950 silver is my base. It is a noble material with which I communicate for hours. 925 silver combines strength and beauty and is the recognized standard. 950 silver is my favorite because it allows for greater malleability when working by hand. Each has its own reactions under the tools, and I need to know how they behave when I work with them.

The Tahitian pearls I use are genuine. They are chosen for their natural luster, their unique shades, but also for their high quality. I select them and spend time looking at each one to get a feel for how it will interact with the silver it will be paired with. A peacock green pearl will not have the same presence as a gray pearl. I need to feel the harmony that will develop between it and its silver setting.

The natural stones that I sometimes incorporate into my creations follow the same process. Sapphires, emeralds, rubies, amethysts, and topazes: each one is selected for its quality, color, uniqueness, and preciousness.

Metalworking, a moment of emerging passion

Once the materials have been chosen, the real work begins.
Here, each step is done by hand, from the first cut of the saw to the final polish, without any shortcuts.
I let myself be guided by what I see, what I feel, and the possibilities that emerge as the creative process unfolds.

First, the cutting.

I select a sheet or wire of raw silver and begin to saw. This simple gesture is already a decision, because every angle I create must be checked, reworked, modified, and adjusted until I am personally satisfied. 

Next, shaping: this is where the forms take shape.

Each stroke of the file is precise because the shape, angles, and curves must be clean and perfect. With other tools, such as the blowtorch, chisels, hammer, and rolling pins, I reheat, sculpt, twist, curve, bend, grain, smooth, and braze... 

The metal responds, but sometimes it resists. It expresses what it is willing to become or not... but in any case, I work with it to create its future form.

Two pieces of jewellery inspired by the same model will take completely different paths during this phase. The hands create variations that are precisely what make each piece irreplaceable.

Intermediate stage: stamping.

Once I am satisfied with the shape, details, and robustness of my jewellery, I give it my silent blessing and affix my signature, my master's mark.

This is a guarantee of authenticity and quality, but above all, it is my commitment to you that I engrave in the metal: I made this piece of jewellery, I checked every detail, and I am responsible for what I give you.

You will notice that your precious metal jewellery is marked with two hallmarks: the master's mark (a symbol corresponding to the craftsman's mark) and the fineness mark (a symbol that authenticates and guarantees the type of metal your jewellery is mainly made of, and its purity). The latter is legally required.

As my maker's mark is already stamped, I then submit the jewellery to the Lisbon Assay Office for authentication and stamping of the hallmark. Your jewellery is therefore appraised, tested, and stamped by their services. Once the jewellery returns to my workshop, I move on to the finishing stage.  

Finishing: Time for polishing and brightening

This is the stage where the raw metal reveals its smoothness and true brilliance. Solid

silver has its little quirks that tend to annoy me: fire
marks. These ugly gray or brownish marks appear as we progress through the finishing stages. Sometimes even... at the very last stage.
This means redoing a large part of the work and constantly checking, on a white surface, that these stains have disappeared.

Knowing that mirror polishing is the finish I use most often, perfection is essential.

The hunt for the slightest micro-scratch and the slightest unsightly mark is on!

The Ultimate Check

Each piece of jewellery is therefore inspected from every angle. I examine it under natural light, under artificial light, I turn it, I feel it, I check every detail.
Macro photography is also a method of control: no imperfection escapes it.

When all the test and control results are satisfactory, I consider your piece of jewellery finished. It is then carefully packaged in its case, ready to leave my workshop and join you.

It is this artisanal, demanding, and honest approach that makes each piece a true work of art. Each of its curves bears the mark of human intention, of a hand that has shaped it, that of a happy creator.

If you would like a personalized piece of jewellery, I would be happy to create it for you.

Leave me a message via the "YOUR CUSTOMIZED JEWELLERY" section and we will discuss your project together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Honu jewellery made?

Each piece of Honu jewellery is entirely handmade, without molds or industrial production. The process involves several steps: cutting the raw silver, shaping it (file, blowtorch, hammer), official hallmarking, then finishing with mirror polishing. Each piece is unique because it is handmade by the artisan.

What is the difference between 925 silver and 950 silver?

925 silver (sterling) contains 92.5% pure silver and offers an excellent balance between strength and beauty. 950 silver contains 95% pure silver, making it more malleable and ideal for handcrafting. Both are high-quality precious metals used at Honu according to the needs of each creation.

What do the hallmarks on Honu jewellery mean?

Each piece of Honu jewellery bears two hallmarks: the Master's mark (the artisan's signature, a guarantee of authenticity) and the Title mark (a legal guarantee of the type of metal and its purity). The latter is affixed by the Lisbon Assay Office after official appraisal of the jewellery.

Can I order personalized jewellery from Honu?

Yes, Honu offers custom-made jewellery. You can submit your project via the Your Custom Jewellery section of the website. I will discuss your vision, the desired materials, and the technical possibilities with you to create a unique piece that reflects your personality.