The allure of the cosmos has been captured in a remarkable fashion as fragments of a meteorite, discovered in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, have been fashioned into exquisite cufflinks. These pieces of space rock, believed to be 4.6 billion years old, were delicately encased in resin due to their fragile nature.
Commissioned by the landowners in Winchcombe, the genesis of this unique jewellery traces back to Lachlan Bond’s mother, who orchestrated the creation of the cufflinks as a surprise gift. Mr. Bond expressed his awe, describing the cufflinks as “absolutely gorgeous” and highlighting the profound significance of possessing a piece of history older than Earth itself.
Recounting the journey of this celestial transformation, Mr. Bond shared, “We donated our section to the Natural History Museum, but then mum had an idea which she hid from us. She asked for some small bits back, and the plan is to make some jewellery for the family. She knew I would love some cufflinks.”
The meticulous craftsmanship behind these celestial adornments was undertaken by Helen Plumb, proprietor of a local jewellery shop in Winchcombe, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum. Plumb remarked on the challenge of preserving the meteorite fragments, noting the collaboration’s departure from traditional scientific endeavors. “They were so helpful, and created a special coloured resin to preserve the rock, which they don’t usually do for scientific projects,” she explained.
Despite the daunting task, Plumb expressed pride in the final outcome, reflecting, “It was a challenge. At one point I felt like abandoning the project, all the gemstones I usually work with are hard, this resin is soft in comparison. I feel very proud that we’ve created something that the client is delighted with.”
The skilled hands of goldsmith Shelley Richardson brought the cufflinks to life, albeit with a touch of trepidation. “I usually work with gold and platinum. I’m aware that they are metals that come out of the earth, but I never thought I’d work on something that is older than the earth, it’s crazy really,” Richardson confessed.
As admiration for these celestial treasures grows, plans are underway to further transform the remaining fragments into a pendant and a ring, ensuring that pieces of the universe continue to find a place among earthly adornments.