“From the beginning, I wanted to work with the material rather than impose a design on it,” Sepideh of SIPPI wrote in an email interview. For the Fossil Tide bangle, that material was a hand-cut ammonite fossil, and its fragility helped determine the setting.
Sepideh developed the piece with Sri Lankan artisan Colombage, spending hours discussing how to leave the fossil’s natural patterns visible. “The fossil is particularly fragile, so bringing the design to life required patience, care and considerable skill,” she wrote.
A design that could turn in the hand was one possibility she considered, but Colombage’s experience helped them decide what the fossil could withstand. “I had initially considered using the other side of the fossil, or creating a design that could turn in the hand, but we had to think carefully about what was possible without compromising the material,” she wrote.
“The setting must be secure, yet the metal must not overwhelm the fossil or distract from its intricate patterns,” Sepideh wrote.
The finished piece pairs the fossil with freshwater pearls and sterling silver, including a small detail in the metal at its sides. “If you look closely, you will also notice the subtle heart shapes in the silver detailing at the sides,” she wrote.
For Sepideh, those hearts represent the care that went into making the bangle and the person who will wear it. The care needed to preserve the fossil continues after the piece leaves the maker.
“I would avoid wearing it while swimming, showering or exercising, and keep it away from perfume and chemicals,” she wrote. Her advice treats the ammonite as a delicate material even after it has been securely set.
“After wearing it, gently wipe the silver with a soft cloth and store it separately to protect it from knocks and scratches,” Sepideh wrote.
Find SIPPI on Instagram.