Last year we had an appointment at the V&A in the jewellery department and we were shown a beautiful Arts & Crafts baroque pearl necklace. The reverse of each pearl was enclosed in gold, which was also just visible from the front. I felt this technique would work particularly well with hanging earrings, where the gold would be seen from the back. We used 22 carat gold for its malleability and rich colour, which complements the extraordinary blue diamond slice with 24 carat gold leaf laid under it. This further emphasizes its remarkable illusion of depth. The diamond beads around the edge sparkle like the sun on water.

22 carat gold; stick pearls; faceted diamond slices; diamond beads; silver; 18 carat gold; 24 carat gold leaf