If music is maths made audible, origami is maths made visible. — Paul Jackson, artist & educator.

About us

Fine Principles is a Berlin-based label founded by Alexandra Schwarzwald. She speaks the visual language of geometric shapes and flexible grids. In doing so, she uses the folding technique and follows meticulous order principles.

In 2016, Alexandra entered the world of jewellery making for the first time. So she transferred her graphic language to object design and created multi-faceted wax models by hand in her London studio. Back at this time, she was already taking her first systematic approach by removing wax to play with different numbers of facets.

On 28/29/30 October 2022, the very first ‘Series XF’ was finally presented to the public at the BLICKFANG design fair in Hamburg.

About the concept

Our designer speaks the visual language of geometric shapes and flexible grids. In doing so, she uses the potential of folding techniques and follows a meticulous ordering principle. In short, by combining simple mathematical and design principles, she transforms folding grids from 2D to 3D to create unisex jewellery.

Design — Folding techniques

The term ‘folding’ is deeply rooted in our language and has a multi-layered meaning. Folding is a product of nature and fascinates scientists, mathematicians, educators, designers, and hobbyists of all ages alike.

The grids of folding techniques can form their own dynamics simply by manipulated like squeezing, stretching, multiplying or even combining. Playing with folding holds enormous potential for design possibilities, which we want to exploit in the future.

Mathematics — Geometric Series

We use simple mathematics — in our case the Geometric Series — as a useful tool. To limit and control the folds, we take the approach of doubling (1, 2, 4, 8, etc.) and halving (1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc.), both in the number of facets and dimensions.

Four of our six categories strictly follow the rules. However, since rings and bangles correspond to natural body measurements, they are each drawn and adapted separately.

About the manufacture

Our production currently takes three weeks for small quantities. There are various processes going on behind the scenes — both internally and externally. After the design phase, the actual production follows in five steps:

→ CAD works & 3D printing
→ Moulding
→ Casting
→ Goldsmith works
→ Plating & quality control

These are taken by wonderful professionals who help transform ideas into concrete pieces of jewellery and bring them to life.

Design process

Everything starts with the study and examination of folding. From here basic ideas are drawn, finalized, and printed in 3D. After reviewing the models and making any necessary adjustments, the CAD drawings are reviewed for feasibility.

CAD works & 3D printing

Based on the CAD design, a model template is created which is used to produce the final form. After plotting the file, the high-quality piece is handed over to the goldsmith, who trims and cleans the surfaces of the masterpiece by hand.

Moulding

After cleaning the masterpiece, a rubber or silicone mould is made. With this mould, all parts will be cast in the desired alloy in the future. To ensure a consistently high quality, the most modern wax spraying machines are used for production.

Casting

From a single piece to small quantities, the jewellery is cast with most modern vacuum casting machines in one of our selected alloys such as recycled silver, gold, and platinum — Everything with more than 5 decades of casting experience.

Goldsmith works

After cleaning the pieces, soldering ear pins, or connecting eyelets by hand, our jewellery is branded and stamped. The stamp, also called hallmarking, provides information about the fineness of the material used and classifies fine jewellery.

Plating & quality control

One last step is (electro)plating in the desired colour and thickness, if needed. For rings, we already offer 5 microns, and for all other pieces 3 microns. After a final quality control, the finished jewellery is ready to be packed and shipped to your home.

About sustainability

The materials we use are recycled and certified, along with additional elements such as ear pins or chains.

Our production purchases sterling silver, gold, and platinum from local suppliers. All are certified members of the Responsible Jewellery Council and follow the standards of the CoC (Chain of Custody) and CoP (Code of Practices). To make it short, the RJC is the world’s leading sustainability organization in the jewellery industry.

In addition, the atelier and its entire supply chain comply with REACH regulations, in which the focus is on protecting human health and the environment from the risks posed by the use of chemicals.

Discover the lookbook

About the facets

We love the aesthetics of sharp edges, and we hope you do too. That’s why we leave the surface as pure as possible after casting to preserve this feature. In addition, to keep the folds authentic, they are continued on the inside of the rings.

As a refresher, a piece of jewellery is also an object of daily use. Please note that gold-plated rings in particular can be scratched more quickly than earrings. This is quite normal, because by wearing them they automatically come into contact with other objects. Let us know if the plating needs to be refreshed.

Get in touch and say hello →