Family runs like a golden thread through Carol Cole’s life and work. Of Jamaican heritage, she grew up surrounded by the warmth, style, and strength of her mother and seven formidable aunties - women whose influence lingers like music in the air. Some were bold and unapologetic, others gentle and grounding, but together they formed a constellation of identity and belonging that Carol now captures in precious metal and stone.

One of a select group of makers chosen for Shine 2025 - the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s annual showcase and launch pad for emerging talent - Carol presents The Seven Aunties Collection: where each piece honours one of her aunties and strong female artists who have shaped her life. Simple, clean silhouettes in rich yellow gold cradle white diamonds, their brilliance capturing memory, love, and legacy. Negative space plays a quiet but powerful role, framing each stone like a held moment - a gesture as elegant as it is meaningful. Beneath their refined lines lies a cultural resonance: the vibrancy, rhythm, and spirit of Jamaica and the deep familial connections that underpin it, distilled into timeless form.

These are designs to be worn for a lifetime - understated, elegant, and carrying the stories of generations. In this article, Carol speaks in her own words - inviting you to discover the stories behind her latest collection.

Discovering Jewellery-Making: ‘I could do this for the rest of my life’

'What first attracted me to a career in jewellery was my desire to do something creative. I’d always been fascinated by fashion - that was the thing for me. I would often buy magazines, looking at editorial photos, admiring the models, the colours, the shapes and cuts that jumped off the page. That creative longing never faded, even after I began my working life as a PA at media companies like MTV and Capital Radio. It was always humming away quietly in the back of my mind. Eventually, I decided to do something about it and joined an evening class in silversmithing, learning the basics - soldering, forging, etching - all the foundational skills. These new skills really sparked my interest, and I thought: ‘Yes, this is something I could do for the rest of my life.’

When my college closed, my tutor Vicki Forrester received all the equipment and opened her Flux Studios in Camberwell. This allowed me to continue my practice, taking daytime or evening classes when I could, and to hone my techniques. During that time, I also began creating my own collection, The Mark. Vicki supported me in developing both my technical skills and my designs.'

On being Chosen for Shine 2025

'Being chosen now feels timely. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the last two years, but life got in the way. I’m excited to be in a live audience setting, seeing how people respond to my work and what emotions it draws out. That feedback will help me understand how my collection resonates, how I promote and develop as a jeweller, and guide me for future collections and collaborations.'

The Seven Aunties: Honouring Family, Heritage and Culture

'My design style is simple and refined, but it also makes a statement. This particular collection is about holding space, and there’s a lot of negative space in the pieces, which I think makes it quite striking. Within that space sits a diamond, which could hold many different meanings - a birthstone, a celebration of an anniversary, or a way to remember a loved one. The pieces have many layers to them.

The collection is called The Seven Aunties, and as the name suggests, it honours my seven aunties. Back in late 2019, they began to pass away, and I felt a strong need to hold on to their memory. The best way for me to do that was through my craft embodied in the jewellery I make. That’s the inspiration behind this collection, but more broadly, my work is inspired by my culture.'

'I’m of Jamaican heritage, and there’s a whole vibrancy to that - the food, the colours, music, the smells, the sea and the sand. It’s hard to explain, but all of that resides inside of me, and I draw on the elements that resonate most. For me, it’s also about identity. Growing up with my mum and having these seven other women who were extensions of her - even if I didn’t see them all regularly - gave me different dimensions of family. You can see myself reflected in each of them in some way, shape, or form. That sense of family, DNA, and connection was very strong among them.'

Exploring New Techniques

'This was the first collection I designed using CAD, which introduced a whole new way of thinking for me. I’m usually very hands-on, carving directly in wax, so the process felt very different at first. I began with sketches, unsure if they could be translated accurately. Thankfully, my CAD designer is brilliant. He really captured the essence of my shapes and the story I wanted to convey. After a few tweaks here and there, the designing turned out to be easier than I expected, and I genuinely enjoyed it. There’s something magical about watching a sketch evolve into a digital model, then seeing it printed and finally cast in metal. It’s such an exciting and fulfilling transformation.'

From Symbols to Form: Building the Collection

'I began by looking at words and symbols for ‘transition’ from different cultures, and I then went through a process of drawing shapes until I hit on something that resonated. The first piece I created was the Martha ring – an elongated, circular form representing life’s perpetual journey, continuity and holding space and from there the collection grew.

I love all the pieces, but the Badu ring is my favourite. Erykah Badu is my favourite artist, and I’ve followed her artistry since 1994, when I first heard her music on holiday in Jamaica. I’ve admired how she’s evolved, always moving to her own rhythm. She’s spiritual, creative, and wears many hats outside of music. The Badu ring has an outer-space, galactic feel to it. One day, I’d love for Erykah to have this ring in her collection.'

'Who wears my rings? They’re for those who want to honour the chapters of their lives, the moments that shape who we are. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding anniversary, a personal achievement, or even a divorce, each piece becomes more than jewellery. It’s a marker of transformation, a way of holding space for yourself and your journey. My designs are about celebrating significance and creating timeless statements that embody individuality and the life’s turning points.'

Looking Forward

'I’m really looking forward to meeting the other jewellers and seeing their work at the pop-up event and exhibition. I’m excited to share this experience with them and being a part of the wonderful work at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.

I’m optimistic that Shine 2025 goes well for all the designer-makers involved in the exhibition. Next, I’d like to explore materials that work beautifully alongside metal. I’m particularly drawn to enamel at the moment. There’s a piece I’ve envisioned for some time, and while I haven’t yet figured out how to create it, I’m excited to learn the techniques that will bring it to life.'

'I’ve also designed a wedding collection and I’m considering the timing to launch it. Looking ahead, my goal is to have a small studio space at the Goldsmiths’ Centre by the end of next year. Having a dedicated space would allow me to welcome clients in person, build deeper connections, and create truly bespoke pieces that reflect their stories. It’s an exciting next step in growing Carol Cole Jewellery and sharing my designs with more people who value individuality and meaningful craftsmanship.'