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Maybe Pearl

Saravich Sungtrakankul

Awards

Profile picture of Saravich Sungtrakankul

I am a jewellery designer with a strong interest in materials and innovation. My work explores and questions the role of jewellery in contemporary culture, while also redefining the value and use of non-precious materials.

I am a jewellery designer with a strong interest in materials and innovation. My work explores an...

Lustrous and pearlescent, yet no real pearls are used; Saravich's jewellery rethinks value through carefully crafted reinterpretations. Using tin cans, nail polish and makeup, her collection preserves the iconic shimmer through championing materials that are often dismissed as insignificant. By embracing the faux pearl, Saravich challenges its negative connotations, shifting the focus from rarity to process, labour and intent. This material-led project offers an alternative to the traditional pearl, proposing that the precious can be redefined.

Interpretative text by Clementia Tivona, BA (HONS) Culture, Criticism and Curation

Final work

  • The image is displaying a model wearing faux pearl necklace made from tin-plated steel
  • This image is displaying a faux pearl earring in a shape of baroque made from tin-plated steel
  • This image is displaying a model wearing a pearl drop earring made from tin-plated steel
  • This image is displaying a model wearing a faux pearl bracelet made from layers of gel nail polish
  • This image is displaying a model wearing a faux baroque pendant made from gel nail polish
  • This image is displaying a model wearing a faux pearl stud earrings made from gel nail polish

Pearl Highlighter

Videographer / Editor: Ruilin Li

Model: Aadya Keshav

Research and process

This image is displaying a development process behind the gel nail polish imitating the natural pearls

Pearly Gel nail polish

  1. Nail polish in different pearlescent colours
  2. First few layers of gel nail polish
  3. After multiple layers, it started to form a three-dimensional shape
  4. Pearl chrome powder is applied

Pearly nail polish was collected and applied in multiple layers to create a three-dimensional form, with its pearlescence enhanced through the use of metallic chrome powder. Additionally, a tint of coloured nail polish was added to achieve a more realistic and refined finish.

This image is displaying a process behind making a Tinitian pearls made from tin-plated steel, imitating the natural Tahitian pearls

Tin-plated steel

  1. ball bearing set on a acrylic as a tool to push the material into a shape
  2. Tin-plated steel sheet is placed in a cylindrical hydraulic pressing tool
  3. Two half spheres are required to form a full round pearl
  4. Pierce cutting the excess material
  5. Matching two halves and joined with laser welding machine
  6. Blow torch patination to imitate the natural Tahitian pearls colour

I developed both the tools and processes needed to transform tin-plated steel using a hydraulic pressing technique to form spherical shapes that resemble pearls. Since the material cannot be soldered, I used a laser welding machine to join the seams cleanly and securely. Additionally, I developed a patination method that mimics the appearance of natural Tahitian pearls, enhancing the material's visual similarity to genuine gemstones.

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Maybe Pearl

Lustrous and pearlescent, yet no real pearls are used; Saravich's jewellery rethinks value through carefully crafted reinterpretations. Using tin cans, nail polish and makeup, her collection preserves the iconic shimmer through championing materials that are often dismissed as...

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