Jewellery designer captures Dartmoor’s raw beauty

A Topsham-based jewellery designer is capturing the untamed essence of Devon’s landscapes in her signature creations.

Erin Cox works from her Devon workshop to meticulously recreate the flowing textures and dynamic forms of the natural world.

Though born and raised in Exeter, Erin feels a deeply meaningful bond to Dartmoor as it holds cherished memories of her late father, who went to school there and shared her love for its rugged landscape.

Erin channels this connection into her artistry, drawing inspiration from the rivers, brooks, rolling hills, and rugged tors that make the moors so special.

On her website, you can explore her latest collections, including Frost, Molten, Bubble, Siren, and Pearls.

These collections were initially inspired by Erin's wanderings through nature.

Frost was inspired by snow-covered walks, featuring diamonds that mimic the glittering sparkle of ice on branches.

Each design in her Molten wedding ring collection is named after a Devon river, paying tribute to the natural inspiration behind their design.

Also inspired by water, the idea for her bubble collection came whilst diving in Borneo, after she watched air bubbles rise to the surface of the ocean.

Above: Necklace from the Bubble Collection. Image: Erin Cox

Siren envisions the mythical allure of mermaids and the shimmering appearance of fish scales in sunlit waters that Erin observed during snorkelling adventures along the Devonshire coast.

Erin's vibrant gemstone designs also celebrate the bold and colourful markings of the big and small creatures that call Dartmoor home.

Her distinctive, individual creations represent the perfectly imperfect beauty of nature, honouring the rich array of textures and organic stimulus that the natural world has to offer.

In July 2023, Erin's work received special recognition after she won Best Jeweller in the Muddy Stiletto Awards, the most coveted UK award for independent lifestyle businesses. 

Speaking about her work, Erin said: “I feel particularly proud of my Fairtrade Gold collection. It’s important to me that we as an industry work hard to drive up standards, and I am one of less than 50 jewellers in the UK registered to work with Fairtrade Gold.

“When asked what my favourite piece of jewellery is, I always say the last thing I made. It’s always exciting to put that final polish on an item and know it’s destined to make someone very happy.

“Our connection with jewellery is incredibly sentimental. It is used to commemorate all sorts of life’s moments. Being a part of these moments is a privilege and can be very moving.”

You can browse Erin’s collection on her website.