So excited to share with you the launch of east London jewellery designer Bear Brooksbank’s new Bear Basics collection – available for pre-orders now, just in time for Christmas!

Bear has become a great friend over the last year – I first visited her studio two summers ago and interviewed and photographed her beautiful pieces, see here! A contemporary gemstone designer, creator of fabulous red carpet pieces, specialising in bespoke engagement and wedding rings with a captivating collection of antique pieces, Bear is quite incredible! With the most exquisite taste, her passion for creating forever pieces full of meaning shines through, from her attention to detail to her aftercare of the pieces.

As well as sourcing some beautiful vintage pieces for me, Bear also helped me re-purpose an old coin necklace into something really special for my 40th birthday. And you’ve probably seen me wearing her signature ‘Bear’ pendant before – I rarely take it off; it gives me daily strength!

The ‘Bear’ is the inspiration for the Bear Basics collection – an affordable design collection of strong, minimal, conceptual pieces that are just so easy and wonderful to wear…

I popped round earlier this week for coffee & pastries, and to take some photos of the pieces and try them out for myself, as well as asking Bear to talk me through the collection’s conception and creation.

Can you tell me how the Bear Basics collection came about?

Bear Basics originated from a desire to provide our existing super loyal and wonderful clients with an affordable option for everyday wear both for themselves and to give as gifts without compromising on quality, detail or design. For new clients we wanted to give a taster of the Bear Brooksbank feel and experience.

The Bear pendant being so key, can you tell me what it means to you?

The Bear is central to the brand as well as being immensely personal. It started as a sketch illustration I did long before I knew I wanted to be a jewellery designer which I drew in collaboration with silversmith extraordinaire Malcolm Appleby, who made the most exquisite silver belt buckle for my big brother Tom on his 21st Birthday. Tom and I are very close and I love that it was in creating something for him that the Bear was born. It has since taken on an almost talismanic role for the wearer.

How and where are the pieces being made?

All of the collection was designed by our team here in London and then cast and hand finished by our master Thai craftsmen. After an extensive 18 month search, we were delighted to find a manufacturer that aligned with our ethos and integrity, without compromising the Bear Brooksbank exceptional level of quality. Thailand has a long and rich history of jewellery making, stone sourcing and cutting. Our team of makers intuitively understood our vision for this ready-to-wear collection, and we are proud to work together.

What pieces are you wearing at the moment and in what combination?

I am currently wearing two of the Connection rings stacked together, the Bear stud mixed in with my vintage hoops and the Contrast cuff.

If you had to choose just one piece to buy, which would it be and why?

The Contrast cuff. It’s so tactile and weighty, whilst being incredible wearable. It feels like that indulgent piece that you don’t need but makes you feel wonderful. Just as jewellery should.

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The collection is online here – I’m currently wearing the ‘Bear’ pendant everyday, and the little Bear studs (just a little bit proud to have played a small part in their creation!). My other favourite pieces have to be the rings – the open Contrast ring stacked together with the Connection ring (as I’m wearing in the pics) is just such a cool look! And I love the little huggie hoops too. What’s fantastic about the collection is that it all works together so elegantly, bravo Bear! I’m already planning Christmas pressies… !

Shop the Bear Basics collection