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Gifting
BRIGHT STAR
Master jeweller Nigel O’Reilly creates mesmerising jewels that are destined to be future heirlooms. He believes in pieces that can stand up through the generations. We caught up with him to talk through his stellar resume, the beauty of the West of Ireland and his thoughts on showcasing his one-of-a-kind offerings in The Marvel Room, in our Dublin store, this year.
Master jeweller Nigel O’Reilly. Discover his jewels in The Marvel Room in Brown Thomas Dublin.
On his inspiration…
I am driven by beauty, the beauty of stone, the beauty of the landscape in the West of Ireland and the rigorous beauty of the work. I find great satisfaction in the union between the piece and the person who wears it. It balances at a point of tension between innovative technology and nature’s own creation. When you are gifted something as rare as a gemstone it is your duty to realise its beauty…
When you are gifted something as rare as a gemstone it is your duty to realise its beauty…
Nigel O’Reilly
Nigel O'Reilly Saoirse earrings. Coloured gemstones and recognisable gold latticework is a signature of the brand, as are generous volumes and undulating shapes.
On His Approach To Design…
My approach was forged by an exposure to excellence. I started my professional life in engineering but creativity moved me in the direction of jewellery. Following my formal training I worked closely with, and learned from, the late master goldsmith and gemstone cutter Erwin Springbrunn. I have spent the past decade creating for some of the world’s most luxurious jewellery houses. In 2009 we founded the studio in the West of Ireland. I would say my work is defined by a bold use of colour, form and a passion for the advancement of design and creation of fine jewellery.
For me, the cut and colour of the stone is the starting point. I consider, understand, and then advance the potential of the gemstone. Each piece is unique, from the stone itself to the treatment of it in design and execution.
Nigel O’Reilly
Nigel O'Reilly with his collection in The Marvel Room in Brown Thomas Dublin.
On what he has learned from master jewellers…
To have respect for the trade, and to become a master before you start designing.
On why he became a goldsmith…
I was working as a precision engineer, I met this girl who was in art college and to try to impress her, I started making up rings at work (while I should have been working). She thought the rings were cool and she said,, "you should go into jewellery", and I thought "that does sound pretty cool" so I did a part time three day course in Kilkenny with the Crafts Council. It absolutely blew my mind and that was it, I knew I wanted to make jewellery for the rest of my life, and I knew that I wanted to hone the craft and become the best possible goldsmith I could before I decided to go into designing, because you can't design anything unless you know the craft. And yes, I did in fact impress the girl, we have now been happily married for 14 years.
Tievnabinnia Mountain, County Mayo, Ireland.
On living in the West of Ireland
You can't help but be inspired living in a place like Mayo. My advice to other high end businesses working from the West is that the location gives you the freedom to be creative and gives you the luxury of having time, which is the most important thing when you are trying to push the boundaries of what you are creating. For clients, it becomes a destination, it's not just somewhere you just walk into a shop, it's a destination for somebody to come for a weekend, and make a memory out of it.
On being in Sotheby’s haute-joaillerie collection…
To have my work in Sotheby's is one of the biggest honours you can achieve and to be able to do it from the West of Ireland makes it even more special. To be invited to places like Sotheby's, and then the showcase in Bergdorf Goodman, is literally the biggest step to prove that you are doing the right thing, as the biggest names in the US retail they want to support you, it gives you the confidence to keep going.
On creating jewellery for milestone moments…
It's really nice to be a part of a couple's story and to be with them at the start of their relationship. It is special to give them the experience of creating a piece that will be with them through their lives.
Nigel O'Reilly earrings
On his Marvel Room pieces…
My biggest influence is fashion, so having Brown Thomas displaying my work in a place that has such amazing pieces of fashion, since that's what inspired this collection, I felt it was fitting that we have them merged together.
On how he will spend Christmas…
Working with Brown Thomas has been a huge project, next is a solo show at Sotheby's in L.A. I fly back to Ireland on the 16th of December so at that point I think I will deserve a good break chilling out with the family and trying to gain a half stone.
MORE TO READ
Explore exciting experiences in store. Read all about what’s on in Brown Thomas this Christmas in Enjoy Magically Festive Experiences In Store.