In 2008, I moved to Cairo, where the desert, ancient history and extraordinary gemstones opened up a new world of possibilities. From journeys into the vast Egyptian landscape to discoveries in the bustling bazaars, this was where my fascination with jewellery-making began – and where the seeds of Harmattan Jewellery were first sown.

They are tiny — just 1–2 mm long — yet these natural crystals have an extraordinary presence. Each has grown to a point at both ends, and their sparkle comes entirely from their own natural surfaces. As a geologist, I have encountered crystals like these in the field and growing inside geodes. Here, I simply select and arrange them. Sometimes the most interesting thing a maker can do is step back and let nature's beauty shine.

Jewellery has been part of human life for tens of thousands of years — but perhaps it was never simply about decoration. From ancient shells and beads to the small stone we bring home from a memorable day at the beach, the objects we choose can carry identity, memory and meaning. So, has jewellery ever really been just decoration?