As a goldsmith, Robin uses the lost wax process or cuttlefish casting (see techniques)  to make individual pieces of jewellery. These bespoke commissions can be in the form of new-designs or re-designs:- which uses unworn jewellery to be re-designed into a more desirable piece.

Robin learnt these skills as a young apprentice at Kulta Keskus in Ascot and later on in life, over the past seven years, he has used them in his jewelcraft whilst working on the Isle of Wight. In 2006 Robin and Imogen Starkey bought Shanklin Jewellers, the second oldest jewellers on the Isle of Wight; established in 1880. Since then, they have created an inspirational shop display from natural tree root systems to reflect their love of nature within their jewellery designs.

Robin's skill means he can create a new design or a re-design which can  involve weeks of work or more simply, a few hours of work. The pinnacle of his achievements so far is the 'vineleaf ring' (as shown), which won a commended award in 2009 through the Craft  and Design Council, a national competition held once a year at Goldsmiths' Hall, London . More information is available about  new-designs, under about us and commissions. More information is available about re-designs under re-designs and commissions.

Robin's ability to use the lost wax process provides him with the skill to create an array of unique designs, for example;

the 'frog ring' used a combination of the lost wax process to make the frog and the milling of gold into wire and sheet, to make the veins on the lilypad, the lilypad itself and the ring shank. Such a skill is essential to support Robin's creative jewellery designs.

The alternative use of blue diamonds instead of  white diamonds, defines the edge of the lily pad, giving it a colourful, adamantine lustre. The frog is a 'poisoned dart frog' a design inspired by the frogs in the rainforest which have the most vibrant markings. These markings are achieved by using black rhodium on 18ct yellow gold (as oppossed to white rhodium, used to whiten white gold), as a result the whole ring is stunning, a real eye-catching piece.

Robin's bespoke commissions can be undertaken using different cuts of diamonds for engagement rings and matching wedding rings. Also abstract designs and ideas can be transformed into beautiful pieces of jewellery.

Examples of completed new-designs can be found under commissions:- new-designs.

Imogen is a Diamond Member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. She has the knowledge to colour and clarity grade diamonds, providing the customer with accurate and honest information.

Imogen can also provide a competitive price which includes an insurance certificate and a laboratory certificate for a diamond, using GIA certification (Gemological Institute of America), where applicable. Imogen also uses the GIA colour and clarity grading system in her appraisal of diamonds (shown in the table here).  All diamonds used adhere to the Kimberley Process.

Imogen and Robin have an array of cubic zirconia examples of different cuts and carat weights of diamonds, which can help in designing a piece of jewellery, especially when it comes to engagement rings; where a round brilliant cut diamond is not the first choice. More engagement ring examples are available under e-boutique:- solitaires.