Matilda Press Jewellery
The Designer Maker
Matilda Press is a contemporary Jewellery Designer based in Scotland who Graduated from the University of Dundee in 2024 with First Class Honours.
Matilda’s graduate collection responds to humanity’s ability to create so much artifical light that it dims stars from view. The movement and glare of artificial light in darkness creates patterns that are playful, beautiful and sometimes comforting. However, this light also diminishes starlight, a source of wonder, imagination and history. Exploring this tension, Matilda’s work takes the form of geometric structures made from precious metal and gemstones. The stones are suspended within metal grids, partially obscured yet contained, capturing their essence in a new light.
Matilda was awarded several prizes for her Graduate collection (ACJ Student Prize, Double Doors Jewellery Graduate Award & The Award for Responsible Making) and exhibited at New Designers 2024 in London also being awarded the Goldsmiths Centre ‘One to Watch 2025’ award and receiving recognition from Dinny Hall.
light patterns at V&A Dundee
Sustainability
Considering sustainability in jewellery design and making is essential for reducing the environmental and social impacts of the industry. When creating my graduate collection and beginning to form my brand, I decided that sustainability and conscious making would play a key role. Throughout subject matter, the design process, and continued in the making, sustainability and anthropological issues are addressed. Now in my practice, I prioritise using ethically sourced materials, such as recycled metals and conflict-free gemstones, to help minimise mining’s harmful effects on ecosystems and communities.
Gemstones
Ethical Sourcing
Ethically mined gemstones play a vital role in promoting transparency and responsibility within the jewellery industry. Matilda Press Jewellery exclusively uses gemstones that are sourced from mines that adhere to fair labor practices, respect local communities, and minimize environmental harm. Prioritising ethically mined gemstones plays a small part to help combat the exploitation often associated with gemstone mining.
Gemstones are carefully selected from a handful of respectable companies, ensuring the stones are responsibly-sourced and fully traceable. Therefore, consumers can enjoy their handcrafted pieces with peace of mind, knowing their purchase aligns with values of integrity and responsibility.