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PRUDEN
SMITH
The Arts and Crafts village of Ditchling, nestled in the Sussex Downs 8 miles north of Brighton is full of surprises. At the centre of the village, in the building that once housed the Historic Ditchling Press, are the hidden workshops of Pruden and Smith. Pruden and Smith was founded in 1988 by fineart-trained designer Rebecca Smith, and Anton Pruden, grandson of the silversmith Dunstan Pruden, a member of The Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic founded by Eric Gill.
Pruden and Smith draw on their wealth of experience, combining the very best of traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technology to produce unique contemporary designs in gold, silver and platinum. From Fine Jewellery to Church Plate for clients as diverse as Glyndebourne Opera House, Worth Abbey and The British Museum. Their jewellery design utilizes both the traditional jewellery gemstones of diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire, and unusual gemstones, such as tanzanite, labradorite and lapis lazuli. Designer Rebecca Smith travels once a year to India to source, design and cut the unusual gemstones in their collection. Their gallery is full of stunning new designs for sale in silver, gold and platinum featuring diamonds and unique coloured gemstones to inspire you. Discover unique handmade jewellery, find the perfect gift, or commission something new.
Half of the Pruden and Smith Team from the right: Simon Alexander, workshop manager, Suzy Dunford, design team, Rebecca Smith, Director, Kat Zahran, Gallery Manager, Kate Wilson, Jewellery Maker, Anton Pruden, Director.
10 Chalices for Worth Abbey in silver and silver gilt.
REDESIGN YOUR OLD JEWELLERY Another of their passions is to design using recycled jewellery in a process they call“ A Precious Legacy”. If your jewellery box contains items that hold precious memories but are broken, don’ t fit, or are not your style, then Pruden and Smith’ s unique redesign service,“ A Precious Legacy”, is a chance to breathe new life into your collection. Taking inspiration and materials from your treasured mementos to create new designs, means your jewellery can be worn again whilst keeping its legacy alive. The process includes a free preliminary assessment and 1-to-1 design consultation. An exciting and cost-effective way to treat yourself to the best in contemporary design.
VISIT DITCHLING Take a free workshop tour of the Pruden and Smith workshops! This unique guided tour is a chance to see British Arts and Crafts heritage live in action. Meet expert designers and craftspeople for a glimpse inside the fascinating world of the goldsmith, where a 200 year old wire drawing bench is still used used alongside state-of-the-art laser equipment. Combine your visit to the Arts and Crafts Village of Ditchling and your tour of the Pruden and Smith Jewellery and Silversmithing workshops with a visit to the award winning
Setting a piece of rough cut Lapis Lazuli into an earring.
Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft which showcases the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic. The guild was set up in 1921 by Eric Gill and colleagues on Ditchling Common. Dunstan Pruden, goldsmith and silversmith arrived there in 1932. This legacy inspired Anton Pruden and Rebecca Smith to study their craft and to set up Pruden and Smith in the village in 1988.
The first step towards remodelling your jewellery is to book a free design consultation and workshop tour with their designer Rebecca Smith. Call 01273 846338 or email info @ prudenandsmith. com Open 10am- 5pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays.