My Personal Project - Zayya George

My name is Zayya George and for my Year 10 Personal Project I decided to create a traditionally handmade set of jewellery. My project involved research on designs, gemstones, where to buy the raw materials as well as finding a goldsmith who would teach me and let me use their workshop to complete a set of jewelry containing a ring, pendant and earrings.

As I was using a Goldsmith forge rather than modern machines, I decided to use a traditional Myanmar style as the design.

I have been visiting Myanmar all my life and during the 2019 end of year holiday I decided to do my Year 10 Project there. I was able to finish the production and I had to learn the whole process from scratch through the Myanmar goldsmith.

I purchased natural apple green diopside stones which are known as the Emeralds of Mogok, four golden Pearls and 22 karat gold for the setting, the overall cost of raw material was $3200.

With guidance and support from the goldsmiths it took me around 30 hours to complete.

I was inspired by my mother who was born in Myanmar and enjoys designing her own jewellery. In Myanmar jewellery is a symbol of prestige, power, and wealth.

As long as I can remember, every holiday to Myanmar, my mother would spend time looking for gems, and spending time with goldsmiths discussing her designs. The pieces of jewellery below are some of the pieces she has designed over the years.

I am hoping to arrange a blind auction for the jewellery through the school during the Personal Project Showcase Evening and donate excess profits to the school and charities that Somerset College supports.