About
Gaiam Jewellery is a unique collection of handmade and 3D printed pieces created by the South African jeweller, Gaia Mather-Pike. Her interest in jewellery design and precious stones sparked at a young age whilst growing up in Tamil Nadu, India, and continued with enriching educational and travel experiences. Gaia developed a fascination and appreciation for elements of the natural world, particularly those expressing innate symmetry of shape and form. Such served as the inspiration for her eclectic mix of jewellery, which ranges from precious stones delicately set within structures of handcrafted silver, to fractal-esque bursts of solid silver produced with CAD design and 3D printing. Her studio was initially situated in the stunning Red Stone Hills of the Klein Karoo, but will soon be located within Australia in the future, where she continues to expand her independent business.
(2012-2015) Gaia studied at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and completed a Bachelor's Degree in Jewellery Design and Metal Techniques, with an added accomplishment of being a finalist in the De Beers Shining Light Awards.
"My inspiration stems from nature, more specifically the drawings of Ernst Haeckel and the underlying symmetry that governs all lifeforms. Mirror symmetry was the concept behind my exhibition Mirror-me, my final year work at Stellenbosch University."
(2016) Gaia worked in Cape Town as a technical designer for Rabbit Disruptive Innovations where she utilised CAD programming and modern 3D printing techniques. She also participated as an artist in residence during the launch of an Idea to Product Lab (I2P Lab) as part of the Open Design Festival in Cape Town. Such opportunities fuelled and fine-tuned her design skills, which eventually manifested in her creating the Radiolarian jewellery collection. These 3D forms printed in Gypsum and set in Resin due to their fragility boldly express her love of symmetry.
"My inspiration stems from nature, more specifically the drawings of Ernst Haeckel and the underlying symmetry that governs all lifeforms. Mirror symmetry was the concept behind my exhibition Mirror-me, my final year work at Stellenbosch University."
(2016) Gaia worked in Cape Town as a technical designer for Rabbit Disruptive Innovations where she utilised CAD programming and modern 3D printing techniques. She also participated as an artist in residence during the launch of an Idea to Product Lab (I2P Lab) as part of the Open Design Festival in Cape Town. Such opportunities fuelled and fine-tuned her design skills, which eventually manifested in her creating the Radiolarian jewellery collection. These 3D forms printed in Gypsum and set in Resin due to their fragility boldly express her love of symmetry.
(2017) Gaia graduated from the Gemmological Institute of Great Britain in London with a Diploma in Gemmology. She continues to build her skills on the identification of gemstones and jewellery appraisal.
