The gold, silver and platinum as well as the gemstones for much of the world’s jewellery is dug from South African mines. So the blood, sweat and tears involved in mining those raw materials are local, but the processing, creation and sale of the final product, which returns the largest profits, often happens overseas. Fortunately there is a growing number of South African jewellery designers, so many of them in fact that I have decided to list only a few designers from across the country. If you are looking for the latest stars on the scene, the Design Indaba has a whole theme area devoted to them and lists the jewellery designers on their website. There seems no limit to design creativity when it comes to materials: textile-covered ear studs, felt, shells, engraved perspex, silver stencils, you name it. And of course most gold- and silversmiths will also work on a commission if you are looking for a truly unique design.

Finally, don’t dismiss traditional beaded jewellery. Unlike with many individual designers, bead jewellery is often the creative output of dozens of people from some fabulous employment project which makes a point of producing both traditional necklaces and new bead creations with a twist. To name just three examples:

Check out the gorgeous necklaces made by the Hillcrest Trust project. I am a big fan of large beaded rings that create a definite ‘look here’ moment.

iPhepha Beads is an empowerment project that uses handmade paper beads from recycled paper together with seeds, shells and glass to make beautiful eco-friendly necklaces and decorations.

Beloved Beadwork, which is moving to a common ownership system with its 12 women employees, marries traditional beadwork with modern art to create exquisite looking jewellery.

Mambu Design is a Johannesburg based company which makes stunning ostrich egg shell jewellery, also the product of a group effort. You’ll find African as well as Asian-inspired designs here, a perfect blend of traditional and modern aesthetics.

Kooky is part of the perspex bracelets craze. They also make earrings, pendants and brooches.

Trinket is another label which has invested in a laser cutter. They work in perspex, stainless steel, leather and make very intricate and cute but unusual brooches and pendants as well as ‘leather lace’ bracelets.

Oh Dear Megan has been working with vintage metal buttons, coins and small keys for some time.

Skermunkil might claim to have started the ‘cutsie’ jewellery fashion. They are still going strong with birds, flowers and hearts.

Flickglass makes fired glass earrings, rings and pendants in vibrant colours.

Sirkel specialises in unique, handmade pieces for clients.

And if you think guys can’t make amazing jewellery, check out Ryno Spence of Quench.

Geraldine Fenn runs Tinsel, a Johannesburg store for contemporary SA jewellery, featuring her own and other local jewellers’ designs.

In her own designs, Geraldine combines elements like stones, pictures, engraving and charms to create detailed one-of-a-kind originals which have a story to tell.

Here’s a short introduction to some of the other designers selling at Tinsel:

Philippa Green is best known for her stunning perspex cuffs which have metal, precious stone, beads and nylon thread applications on them or are engraved. Engraving is also a technique she uses for her rings.

Philippa and Ida Elsje started a range of diamond jewellery called Situ where diamonds are set in epoxy resin, combining a classic precious stone with contemporary, bold settings.

Ida-Elsje also has her own jewellery range often inspired by flower shapes.

Liz and Eric Loubser are both jewellers who make custom-designed pieces for clients, often with found objects. Liz’s jewellery has great colour combinations with a very African feel. Eric produces classic pieces with a quirky twist.

Anna Raimondo makes very organic pieces, while Amanda Marais specializes in stylised floral designs.

Nicky Savage makes minimal, easy-to-wear pieces and Dear Rae caters to the fun and cute market. If you like pretty designs with semi-precious stones, Shelley and Harry might be for you. Tracey Lotter’s jewellery is minimal, geometric and colourful.

Tinsel also sells pieces by Frieda Luhl who is part of the Fine Ounce Goldsmith Collective.

The Fine Ounce is a fabulous Cape Town-based women’s goldsmith collective. All four women jewellers make exquisitely beautiful original pieces.

Zingiware is a collaboration between the Kalk Bay potters workshop and Leana Duncan creating hand-painted porcelain and silver jewellery.

Pichulik’s multicoloured rope necklaces and bracelets make for gorgeously unusual jewellery with a distinctly African twist.

Monique Huppertz is the second generation gold and silversmith in her family. Monique custom designs jewellery from precious metals, gemstones and wood. She also teaches jewellery workshops from her studio in Cape Town.

Just like the NeighbourGoods Market in Cape Town and the market at Arts on Main in Jozi, the I heart Market in Durban gives local designers a platform to display their work.

All Dragonfly Dreams, Savage and Token jewellery sell their silver jewellery at I heart Market. Dragonfly Dreams latest range is lasercut pieces from recycled materials.

Token is hand-crafted ceramic jewellery, glazed pendants and earrings with patterns stamped in clay.