See How Our Pieces Are Made

BOLD AS BRASS

We work with several brass artisans in and around Nairobi, to create wholly recycled brass elements for our jewellery. The process purifies the brass, creating delicate designs that are then hammered and polished by hand.

Production follows a simple, low-tech process:

    Our jewellery designs are first modelled out of wood, clay or wax

    Yala Jewellery Brass Jewellery Sand Casting Step 1

      This initial piece is then used to create a biodegradable mould from a traditional mixture of sand and molasses

      Yala Jewellery Brass Jewellery Sand Casting Step 2

      Once the mould is cast, it can be used again and again, withstanding the high heat of a furnace and the molten brass

      Yala Jewellery Brass Jewellery Sand Casting Step 3

      Reclaimed brass is melted in a furnace, and poured into the mould

      Yala Jewellery Brass Sand Casting Step 4

      Once cooled, the casted brass piece is removed

      Yala Jewellery Brass Jewellery Sand Casting Step 5

      The piece is filed and sanded down in stages to remove any sharp or rough edges. Then the piece is polished and holes are drilled for jump rings and chains

      Yala Jewellery Brass Jewellery Sand Casting Step 6

      Finally, shaping and texturing (such as hammering) is applied by hand

      Yala Jewellery Brass Jewellery Sand Casting Step 7