I live in New Zealand but originate from the city of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. My father is from La Côte aux Fées where he grew up. He later worked at the local watch factory: PIAGET. I was surrounded by watchmakers and jewellers during my formative years.  Later I studied mechanical engineering and metallurgy in Switzerland before emigrating to New Zealand in the 70s.

I realised my ambition of becoming a jeweller in the 90’s when I studied design at UNITEC in Auckland, majoring in Jewellery. I work mainly in sterling silver (925 parts per 1000 is pure silver with the remainder generally copper). I melt and re-alloy all my scrap silver to minimise damage to the environment. I also choose less damaging chemicals whenever possible.

I enjoy pushing the metals beyond their normal boundaries. It sometimes results in disaster but often it opens doors to the unusual: surfaces, textures mostly visually pleasing. These happy accidents usually result in naturally occurring curves, patterns and surfacesa and this also lead to my interest in Mokume.

I have chosen to pursue this line of design because it offers tremendous rewards and I can put my metallurgical knowledge to an artistic use.  Reflected in my designs, I get my inspiration from nature: my workshop overlooks a wooded reserve full of native trees and I often stroll on the local beach.