Corsican Lily Pad Necklace by Sandrine B. Jewelry

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"My name is Sandrine Valentine. I am the owner and designer of Sandrine B dot Jewelry. I craft wearable art for the preservation of time.

 

French-born, I’ve lived in the United States since 1996. I’ve always made a place for art in my life and found my calling in 2008, when I attended a jewelry show in Arizona. A few years later, I launched Sandrine B. Jewelry. 

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I like to infuse a story into each piece I make and then name the piece after what it represents to me, whether that’s a person, something in nature, or a place. I think of this process as memorializing an imprint in time. I believe in wearable art as a means to preserve memory and amplify the beauty of nature. I see the meaning and magic in discarded, forgotten items and seek to illuminate all the things they represent - concepts like memory, utility, and hope. Beauty transcends time, gender, race, and all other limiting constructs. My jewelry is a reminder that we are more than what meets the eye. 

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I approach my craft with a complete presence of being, and I infuse spirituality into my jewelry. I want my customers to feel beautiful and unique - and to know that each piece was crafted with intention and love. 

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Primarily, I cast antiques, discarded found objects, and remnants from nature and then generate a mold from that casting using the ancient technique known as the “lost wax” process.

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I am committed to transparency, responsible sourcing and ethical practices.

I mindfully hand-finish my pieces in New York City, minimizing the carbon footprint and I work with my suppliers to trace the provenance of the materials and ensure that they are sourced responsibly. 

In 2021, I became a fairminined licensed brand, which means that I use fairmined gold in several of my pieces. Fairmined gold is certified to come from artisanal and small-scale mining operations that meet high social and environmental standards. 

I am constantly evolving my practices to reduce environmental impact and support our communities.

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The Corsican leaf lily pad shape heart pendant is a memorable pendant that brings back memories of my native island, Corsica. The pendant is made from a leaf found on the ground in the town of Corte in Corsica. I added wax to its back, made a mold and created the jump ring from the stem. The name is derived from its similarity to a lily pad.

Using the ancient technique of lost wax casting allowed the veins and texture of the leaf to be preserved.  It is common that in the process the model dissolves. Fortunately, it did not in this case and the leaf will be on display at the show. "