When I started my business 15 years ago, I never imagined that social media would have such a massive impact. I started using Instagram in April 2014 and it has since become a leading platform for me and has helped me to grow Fran Barker Design into what it is today. For me, it's not just a way of sharing my work, it's a means of connecting with magpies across the globe and building lifelong relationships with them. Denise and I had followed each other for a while and had built a continuous stream of likes and comments before her husband, to my delight, purchased the Chocolate Mimosa rin ..read more

View fullsize View fullsize I was asked to make an engagement ring for a gent called Seth in the USA.We looked for a beautiful labradorite that would have the perfect glow. Seth already knew he wanted the peacock style but wanted to incorporate a marquise stone, which was a fantastic choice as this works really well in this style. Once we found the perfect stone, the peacock design was delicately sculpted around that shape to weave the two beautifully into the peacock style. Whilst this is a very unique style of engagement ring, it will be a charming piece to wear every day and the stone wil ..read more

Trying to round up 2017 in a single blog post seems like an impossible task. This year has seen huge changes, big improvements and a massive increase in custom designs. When I took part time evening classes 14 years ago, I never imagined I’d be where I am now with the pleasure of making jewellery for customers all over the globe. With each new piece I make, more inspiration follows and I’m still as eager as I was back then if not more so. Jewellery has always been, and continues to be, my passion and the hidden story behind each piece makes my job all that more special. 2017 could be describe ..read more

This natural Ceylon sapphire ring was designed for another of my Instagram followers last month. Kate knew exactly what she wanted; a sapphire ring set mimosa style to remind her of the film Three Colours Blue, in which there is a mobile of blue beads that is hung in the window to reflect different lights. Wanting to depict an intensity of colours I opted for natural Ceylon sapphires and sourced some that reflected differently in each light; from a powerful blue to purple tanzanite colours. We opted for white gold to bring out the cool shades and compliment the stones, letting them speak for ..read more

Samantha contacted me wanting to transform her diamond engagement ring into a statement ring that she could wear comfortably every day blending both the Mimosa and Peacock collections. With the size of Samantha’s little fingers in mind, the challenge was to make sure proportions were spot on, maintaining its comfort. Designs were sent back and forth and a lot of conversations were had to ensure we had this design spot on.  With Samantha’s engagement ring on its way to me from Washington, I had to search for a large pear shaped cabochon amethyst and then a small sapphire, emerald and amet ..read more

This beautiful moonstone mimosa set was created for one of my Instagram followers. I've come to know her as 'Magpie Kate'. She fell in love with a moonstone and wanted to incorporate it into a new piece using sentimental diamonds and gold from existing jewellery.  Loving the two piece rings sets, my client chose mimosa style and wanted to bring together these elements for a one-of-a-kind, multi wearable stacking set.  Once designs were drawn up and agreed, we decided we needed another diamond for the set. First came the job of sourcing a diamond to match the 2 we already had, to bal ..read more

  “.” — Alisha Dudas ~ California This little chap has been on quite a journey! I made a new friend from a cross the pond in my client, Alisha, during the making of this ring and its been a long process! A process I have thoroughly enjoyed! 'Ol Snake Eyes' (so he became named) started out as a lone Oval Champagne Diamond Alisha won many years back. Inspired by my Sinners collection and passionate about jewellery she emailed me about incorporating her diamond into a custom design.... Sinners style! With the many miles between us we emailed back and forth ideas until the ini ..read more