Liz Tyler BA, FGA, DGA
Winner of Best Design in Diamonds at the UK Jewellery Awards, 1998, Liz is one of the country's most innovative jewellery designers. In 1996 she was a finalist in Best Design in Gold and in 1994 was voted UK Jewellery Designer of the Year.
Since 1991 she has won several Craftsmanship and Design Awards from the Goldsmith's Council for both jewellery and silverware. Liz is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the City of London and has produced special items for the Worlds Gold Council and de Beers which have been exhibited internationally.
2002 has been the International Year of the Platinum Heart Pendant and Liz came second in the Kayman Awards - the national British competition- for her platinum and solitaire diamond Arabesque Heart pendant. She has now produced earrings to go with it.
Liz was thrilled to have her 18ct yellow gold and diamond Celebration Dance brooch for the Millennium selected for special exhibition at the Queens’ Golden Jubilee ‘Celebration in Gold & Silver’ at the Goldsmiths’ Hall, London in 2002. At its opening HRH Princess Michael of Kent attended and was introduced to Liz and, being a great fan of dance, admired the sense of movement in Liz’s work.
Liz works mainly to private commission but her work is available through a number of independant county jewellers, London Galleries and several DAZZLE exhibitions.
Inspirations, Style & Techniques
Inspired by movement in contemporary dance and natural form, Liz uses both carving and hand raising skills to produce her distinctive sculptural jewellery. A recurring feature in whatever scale she is working in, is that the fittings and decoration frequently form an integral part of the item, so that there is no interruption in the flow of the design.
Liz is particularly known for her style of engagement and dress rings where she delights in carving the gold or platinum around the finger, rising up to become the setting for the carefully selected diamonds and coloured gemstones. She delights in twisting the gold and platinum around the finger which then rises to become the setting for the carefully selected diamonds and fabulous coloured gemstones, whose shape dictates the flow of the design.
Specialising in anti-clastic raising techniques, whereby two curves are hammered up in opposite directions - saddle-like - Liz has most recently been working on a larger scale, producing sculptural silverware. This technique was originally developed to produce teapot spouts and handles as seen in the image at the top of this page.
"My aim is to produce essentially feminine jewellery, bold, contemporary yet classic, pleasing to the eye and easy to wear. The form of the metal is the most important aspect and whether working in gold, platinum or silver, I like to use contrasting textures and highly polished surfaces which emphasise the form."