FIRE Adam Neeley Gemstones have always captured my curiosity. This striking, fantasy-cut golden citrine by lapidary Lew Wackler was the spark of inspiration for my Inferno pin. When I encountered this fiery gemstone 10 years ago, I had no particular project in mind, but I felt certain that I needed to bring it home. When ADJC announced the annual design theme FIRE, this dazzling gem came to mind immediately. To me, a flame conveys warmth and light. Whether at a campfire or a candle-lit dinner, a flame beckons loved ones to gather, to share stories, and to be nourished in each others’ company. The flame is also a powerful symbol of creation. In ages past, alchemists used flame as they sought to forge treasure from base metals. Metalsmithing is more about craftsmanship than mystery these days, yet I do feel a certain magic when I use fire at the bench to bring forth jewelry that is greater than the sum of its precious parts. With Inferno, I wanted to capture the evanescent beauty of fire. At the flame’s center, a distinctive, fantasy-cut golden citrine smolders. To complement the gem, I added luminous tendrils of smoke, formed with ribbons of my signature Spectra gold. The delicate curves showcase Spectra gold’s seamless gradient from a rich yellow gold into white gold, which is the result of a unique and time-intensive goldsmithing technique. 76