In the Suffolk countryside of Great Britain during the 1970’s, a young boy crouches by the foreshore of a river. He digs through the mud to which a silt-encrusted bottle reveals itself. The boy tips the vessel, dumping the brackish water that sloshes within. As the liquid spills from its glass neck, a silver token is left behind—a treasure—like a pearl nestled within its oyster.

Mudlarking, searching riverbanks for lost treasures and artifacts, has been a fascination for Alex Monroe ever since he was a child. And although Monroe never accomplished his dream of becoming a punk—the wildlife, flora, and objects from bygone eras in his childhood became beacons of inspiration for his jewellery collection, Water’s Edge.

The Collection features charms that are miniature copies of shells, bottles and different species. What about these things remind you of the history of Britain’s natural and historic landscapes?
We live in such an amazing place. I was raised in the countryside and spent my childhood playing by the river. Barges would pick up their cargos and take them to London. Me and my friends would find all sorts of things on the beach, like bottles and old chains…but the river would flood and ebb and it was nature that ruled the rhythm of life there. Wading birds catching worms and fish, crabs and stranded jelly-fish. I loved exploring and finding things. Now I live in London and I watch the mudlarkers down on the river, still finding treasures while the river flows on and nature does her thing. You might find a piece of Tudor pottery or a bit of an old pipe. It’s really fun and there’s something timeless about it.

Your jewelry is also known for its intricate details. How much time does it take to craft each piece to give it that individuality?
I like to finish a piece in a day. I don’t have the patience to spend longer and I love to keep it immediate to keep up the energy. Of course some things take longer, and some pieces take less time. And quite often I’m not happy with my finished piece so it goes in the scrap box and I try again the next day!

Water’s Edge gives us pieces of the sea as if we were the ones sailing along the water. Do you have a history of traveling along the water as a hobby?
Oh my gosh yes. I was born by the river and I spent my childhood sailing. I still keep a boat on the river Deben in Suffolk and I sail most weekends in the summer. And of course I swim. The river and me are inextricably linked.

Your company is known for sustainability and I’m curious to hear what that looks like in the jewelry industry?
It used to be about doing no harm. You wouldn’t want to buy an important piece of jewelry to celebrate something special if it had created harm along the way. And then we became more pro-active in checking provenance because it was easy to ignore things that are hidden. But now it’s become more about being transparent and honest, and trying our best to be a positive force in the world. So we might use Fairmined gold, help more charities, and be completely open about the benefits and drawbacks of everything we do. Publishing out carbon figures and reducing them is important too.

Each piece reminds me of heirlooms to be passed down from generations. Is that one of your goals when you create each piece, and If so, why?
We often make a piece to celebrate an important event. Our jewelry becomes the thing that ties people to loved ones or important life events. These things matter over generations; your grandmother’s engagement ring or a 21st birthday present…Also the pieces I make are timeless, they’ll look great in a hundred years so why wouldn’t we want to pass them down through generations? Besides, we offer a great repair and restore service so things can always be refurbished to make them as good as new…and you get to keep those memories forever!

What pulls you towards creating fine jewelry? How do you think it adds to a person’s style?
I love all things jewelry. I treasure the plastic pieces my daughters wore as children that may seem disposable, and I love seeing gorgeous gemstones set into a gold ring for a big life event. Jewelry is often the last thing you add to an outfit to finish a look. And it’s the only thing you wear next to your skin that can connect you to those important things, life, love and lost ones. I mean…what could be more important?

Even though the pieces invite the wearers to carry a piece of Britain's natural heritage with them, your brand is still significant for international buyers. How does your brand achieve this?
We’ve been so lucky to be popular around the world for such a long time. It’s lovely. I’m always happy that people understand my work and what I’m trying to do. It is very British, because I’m British, but we’re all people together in this world so we share the same loves, fears, and insecurities. It’s such a pleasure to share my work with such an international audience.

What does craftsmanship mean to you, and how do you want your audience to view it?
Craftsmanship involves skill, and it involves care. I think if you take care over what you do it shows a great respect for your audience and I believe people understand that. Some of our pieces mean everything to the wearer. It would be disrespectful not to take every care while making it. And of course the intricate craftsman ship is my signature. I love how a piece looks from afar, but it needs to be wonderful close up too.

You ensure that each creation is unique. What is the importance of making sure that each piece emulates that, and what makes that beautiful?
When I design a piece of jewelry I feel like I don’t have much control over what comes out. I have to just be me, take a leap of faith and trust in how I express myself. Allowing this process means that each design is bound to be unique…I’m not interested in repeating myself. I’m always interested in what comes next. That’s what keeps it fun and interesting!

Interview by Delanie Okocha, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Introduction by Brya Sheridan, Assistant to Editor-in-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
*Images courtesy of Alex Monroe

Discovering the Sea with Alex Monroe Jewelry