ARTIST'S SPOTLIGHT - clio saskia

It’s been three years since I first laid eyes on one of Clio’s extraordinary creations—and of course, I had to share it. I haven’t stopped sharing her work since. Her pieces are not only strikingly unique (the chameleon ring pictured above, for instance, features a mechanism that makes its tongue move!), but true treasures adorned with precious stones—many of which Clio mines herself. That alone is an incredible feat.

Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch, and more recently, the chance to finally meet her in person came up—and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

I had seen teasers for an upcoming exhibit in London and assumed it would take place in December, which aligned perfectly with a trip I had planned for studio visits and events. But when I spoke to Clio, I found out it was actually happening in November—I was crushed. Luckily, Clio, being the generous soul she is, invited me to visit her at her studio at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. And she went even further—arranging meetings with other remarkable artists too! I was beyond thrilled. It was my first time stepping into a jewelry artist’s studio.

We had the most wonderful conversation. I tried on her stunning pieces, and it felt like stepping into another world.  We spoke about her inspirations, how deeply she researches each idea before it becomes a tangible piece, and about her mine in Australia. It was a joyful, unforgettable morning!

Clio’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, and to me, she has carved out a unique space with her whimsical, precious creations that feel like something out of a dream. I can’t wait to see where her next adventure takes her—I just know it’s going to be something magical.

CLIO SASKIA

My career into jewelry, as with many in the industry, was indirect and unexpected. I have always been - at heart - a deeply creative and curious person, which led me to study sculpture at University of the Arts London. My final year focused on concepts and perceptions of beauty. Deeply rooted within this is the subject of adornment, representing both beauty and status in a wide variety of cultures, and a form of personal expression that I have continued to find utterly fascinating.

After graduating I developed my technical making skills before my curiosity took me to the Australian Gemfields in 2015. I spent a year digging around for sapphires on a small mining claim in the outback, using only hand tools and ancient river maps. It was one of the hardest but also most rewarding years of my life, and I returned to London with a deep appreciation for the natural world and its minerals, ethical business practices - and an amazing little collection of sapphires.

I launched my fine jewelry business, Clio Saskia, in 2019 after completing training at the British Academy of Jeweler and the Goldsmiths’ Centre. Since launching my wild and wonderful collection in the UK and USA, I have specialized in bespoke and custom work for clients all over the world. I adore working one-on-one with clients to create a dream piece of jewelry inspired by their personal history, interests and values. I view it very much as a collaboration and take great inspiration from getting to know them, and am thankful to be entrusted with bringing their vision to life.

The natural world and realism are aesthetically deeply ingrained in work, and I spend hours studying tiny wing details on hummingbirds and octopus eyeballs to understand the inner workings and reasons for looking the way they do. I couldn’t live without frequent visits to the Natural History Museum archives or Chester Zoo’s conservation department. Even my ‘traditional’ solitaire rings or hoop earrings are infused with playful elements from nature, stone settings become fangs, earring hoops become tails, and I always use textures to bring the gold to life. Among my references are: Renée Lalique, Alexander Calder, David Attenborough, David Wiseman and  Iris Apfel.

 My future plans are still taking shape, but I will be delving ever deeper into the natural ecosystems and habitats which inspire my work. Evolutionary relationships between flora and fauna, and symbiosis within these associations, are of particular interest to me at the moment. Darwin’s orchid and Darwin’s moth are a fantastic example - evolving perfectly alongside each other so only this single species can pollinate the other. I am also returning to bronze sculpting and stone carving to create larger sculptural works alongside my precious fine jewels. I am currently working on creating more colorful elements within my work using patination and carved stone.

@cliosaskia