The pleasures of bespoke jewellery making

Bespoke artist-jeweller Kevin Friedman is a seventh-generation designer from the iconic Friedman family. His jewellery studio situated in Norwood, Frankli Wild, is home to some of the most beautiful and intricate pieces. Starting with fine jewellery as taught by his father and grandfather Frank and Jack Friendman, Kevin’s designs are inspired by ‘found objects’.

Having spent much time immersed in the South African culture, Kevin learnt that aesthetics is not always what we think it is. “If you need a traditional necklace whether it’s the lid of a plastic syringe or a disposable item, it’s used to create something beautiful and that’s what I do.

“Starting in the fine jewellery background, when a diamond comes around it’s a found object and lovely but who’s to say that an interesting piece of steel or a rusted piece of metal is not as beautiful as a diamond?”

His father was very supportive of letting him explore and discover.

“I created my own signature and style. Because my designs are so complicated I always start with a found object as a thought process. A found object can consist of really anything be it a rusted piece of metaI.”

Kevin’s pieces create a statement and are one of a kind. “My client is a very confident person and it’s interesting because even if they don’t start out confident when they wear the jewellery the confidence comes through.

“You know it’s a very hedonistic world – by making jewellery you are giving people pleasure.It’s so exciting to make something because you become a part of someone’s life journey.”

A strong believer in community development, Kevin holds the Ndebele culture very close to his heart. A project that he is heading now is one to encourage upliftment. “You can make an impact on the country that is so big with minimal work. I do bead work with a group of ladies in Mpumalanga in the rural areas and it is so rewarding.”

On the finer side of things Kevin is also designing a new bespoke range involving beautiful rubies discovered in Greenland. The concept is based on ice and snow. Some of his best known work is the Ndebele bead-and-diamond choker, modelled by Charlize Theron back in 2000 when he received the De Beers Diamond International Award. In April this year, the Queen of England was spotted wearing a brooch he commissioned for the Botswana Government.

Some of his custom pieces have made headlines. There’s also been a line of bead work Christmas decorations for the Designers’ Guild in London and he has also designed a line of pewter and wood desktop items for Tiffany & Co in New York.

Kevin said he intends on having more collaborations. “My strength is adding value and beauty and that’s what I want to see for the future.”

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