Stuff You Should Know

July 13, 2026Emily Woodman

Which Material for Handmade Jewellery? Shell, Acetate, Acrylic and Kirinite Compared

Shell, cellulose acetate, cast acrylic and Kirinite all cut and polish into beautiful jewellery — but they behave very differently. Here's how to pick the right one for your project.

June 16, 2026Emily Woodman 1 comment

Pearl vs Abalone vs Paua vs Mother-of-Pearl - A Guide to Inlay Shell Materials

Discover the 2026 protocols for distinguishing Mother-of-Pearl, Abalone, and Paua shell. Learn to select the right blanks or flexible veneers and avoid plastic imitations at Rothko & Frost.

Geometric pendant of abalone and layered wood on a silver chain, resting on natural fabric

April 13, 2026Emily Woodman

The Zero-Waste Crafter: Turning Luthier Offcuts into Unique Pendants

Your scrap bin is a jewellery box in disguise. Those offcuts you've been hoarding — a length of heartwood, a shard of Paua shell — are exactly what the Slow...