The Greenville Journal, November 5, 2020




https://greenvillejournal.com/arts-culture/inspired-by-nature-kate-furmans-jewelry-is-one-of-a-kind/

Kate Furman’s jewelry is made from nature — literally.

Using a technique called lost wax casting, the Village of West Greenville artist takes twigs, leaves and shells found in nature and molds them into heirloom-quality jewelry.

“I do molds of the original objects and inject wax and cast them so they end up being solid metal replicas of the original,” Furman says.

All of her jewelry is handmade using 14-karat or 18-karat gold and often features nontraditional diamonds, sapphires, tourmaline, opal and other precious gemstones. The pieces are dainty but retain a rustic feel.

“I don’t try to hide the fact that they’re handmade,” Furman says.

She’s also found a niche in alternative engagement rings, working closely with customers to create one-of-a-kind pieces. The process can take up to four weeks.

Furman even made her wedding rings when she and her husband, Ben, tied the knot earlier this year. Her ring is a colored diamond bezel set between 14-karat and 18-karat cast twigs; his is a palladium band with subtle lines encircling it.

“I like making heirloom-quality jewelry … pieces that are made with high-end materials with different golds that I take a lot of time with, there’s a lot of thought behind,” Furman says.

Her jewelry can be found at katefurman.com and at her studio located at 547 Perry Ave.

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