A Glimpse into Ancient Greek Gold Granulation Part I: The Beginning

I started working with granulation a few years ago. I learned about this technique thanks to the director of the Donald Claflin Jewelry Studio at Dartmouth, Jeff Georgantes. Then, in the fall of my sophomore year, I applied for a competitive award at The Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth to learn about “Ancient Greek Gold Granulation”. The rest is history and now I am writing this.

Fast forward to three years later and now I am working on Dartmouth Post-Graduate Fellowship for my granulation work. Saying I became interested in the technique would be an understatement.

I became very passionate about the technique ever since I discovered how rare and beautiful it is. From beginning to the end—from the making of the 22-karat gold alloy up till the fusion of each individual granule onto the surface of your base. If you have seen me at the studio while working with granulation you understand that I am in my world then. The technique requires a keen eye for detail and complete motor control.

I strike to make work that is undeniably beautiful and innovative. Work that has not been seen before anywhere else. More than a jewelry designer or maker I feel like a painter. I can create so much detail using granulation. I never thought I would have the opportunity to carry the legacy of granulation.

To my knowledge, I am the only person (yes, in the world) who is using granulation in innovative ways by experimenting with metals such as white gold made with palladium or combining granulation with new technologies such as engraving machines or incorporating the technique into modern designs.

Having this skill inspires me to continue pushing my work and the limits to what I can create and imagine.

Gold Granulation and White Diamond Screw Bracelet

Photo c/o Case Hathaway-Zepeda