2026 responsible design Challenge
Rowan Keylock
Rowan Keylock is a goldsmith at Red Clover Custom Jewelry in Aberdeen, Scotland.
I approached this project by putting myself in Mara’s place and thinking about what might feel meaningful to wear. The size of the stones pushed me toward designing a pendant, as I wanted enough space to create something larger, more of a showpiece that could really carry the idea.
Nature and conservation kept coming to mind as I worked through the concept. I arranged the stones like a compass, with four points radiating outward. The moss agates mark north and south as the more dramatic directions, while the center highlights some of the Blue Ridge Mountains near where she lives. I wanted the landscape to feel familiar and significant, something that could reflect a place she knows. The lavender sapphires became stars in the night sky above them, creating a simple, classic landscape.
To build the center, I’ll engrave and sculpt the background, using black oxidation for the sky to create contrast so sapphire stars stand out. At about 2 inches long and 1.75 inches wide, it’s definitely a statement piece, though I think of my work as something that can be worn anytime.
