About us

Lores is a sustainable and independent jewellery brand based in Bristol, UK. The designs featured across all social media platforms and website are created by the founder of Lores, Lorna. The jewellery is dreamt up in Lorna’s abode, then manufactured and finished within a bustling shared jewellers workshop in Bedminster, Bristol by Lorna herself. All of our jewellery is made in the UK, using sustainable practices and sourcing ethically mined gemstones from across the globe.

As a young person, Lorna found herself gripped by both the arts and sciences, and wanted to combine both of these passions in her work. She studied at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, allowing her to graduate with a first class BA (Hons) degree in Silversmithing and Jewellery Design. As an accredited gemmologist and diamond grader (FGA, DGA) and a fellow of the Gemmological Association, Lorna can dedicate herself to finding the best gemstones for her designs and bespoke work. Having a multi-award winning designer and goldsmith as the forefront of Lores allows us to produce high quality jewellery with unique designs.

“The natural world has fascinated me since my early years, when my Dad would take my sisters and me fossil collecting. These formative experiences made me curious about what else might be in the earth under our feet, and so the journey began into my study of gemmology and diamonds. An appreciation of our shared environment and the plants and animals inhabiting it has inspired much of my research, and subsequently my design work.”

Today’s jewellery industry is full of companies trying to undercut each other, making ever cheaper pieces, while trying to stay on top of trends. We see this in the fashion industry’s desire to shorten the lifespan of items, in turn increasing consumption. Lorna has spent her professional life finding ways of changing how trends are represented in the jewellery industry and trying to reframe this process, encouraging others to take slower and more considered approach. This is vital in returning us to the roots of how jewellery should be made, worn, and appreciated.

The designs you see are all carefully researched and meticulously planned and can be far reaching and diverse in their subject and inspiration; from the skin of a snake or the undulations of an ocean floor to ancient mythology and lore. We select ethically-mined, showstopper gemstones for our pieces and bespoke commissions. Alternatively, we encourage the recycling of your own gem-set jewellery to create timeless and artistic pieces that can become new heirlooms. Years of trial and error with casting houses and suppliers across the UK has allowed us to find the perfect way to create new jewellery from recycled precious metals (or your family gold). Environmentally friendly packaging consisting of biodegradable ink, wildflower seeded thank you notes, recycled tissue paper and boxes accompany your truly considered and sustainable piece of jewellery.

Let’s go back to when jewellery was well made and passed down through generations, and keep it forever pushing the boundaries of traditional jewellery in the process.

Ethical Statement

The environmental impact of Lores jewellery will always be at the forefront of the designing, making and packaging processes. If there isn’t an ethical way to create a piece of jewellery, that means a different route should be taken. In our ethical statement, we outline some ways in which Lores is taking steps towards a greener world.

Making

Every single piece of jewellery created by Lores is made in the UK and designed in Bristol by our founder and designer Lorna.

All metals purchased for bespoke pieces or collections is recycled in the UK, while cast jewellery is made from recycled industry metal or previously scrapped metal. Lores can provide Fairtrade gold to customers who prefer it. The aim is always to accomodate for any customer wanting to make the jewellery industry cleaner.

Lores saves all metal shavings and dust from the making process to melt down and reuse at a later date. All gemstones used are from sustainable businesses who uphold strict ethical practices within their mines and cutting processes. We have access to Canada-mark and ocean-sourced diamonds should you desire a Kimberly certified diamond that is traceable from mine, to cutter, to your jewellery.

Over years of perfecting our chain, we have minimised the use of toxins in our small workshop to a point of almost nil, while making the business paperless where possible. Lores recycles, repurposes and reuses any plastics and non-biodegradable products, in addition to carefully disposing of any hazardous products that must be used during the making process.

Packaging

The boxes, care cards, thank you cards, business cards, stickers, tissue paper, jewellery bags, postal boxes and bags used by Lores are all made from recycled materials.

We may reuse the boxes and bubble wrap from previous parcels, so don’t be surprised if you receive one of our pieces in an unbranded postal box! Lores is committed to every step of the jewellery making process being eco-friendly.

“The greatest threat to our environment is the belief that someone else will save it.”

— Robert Swan

Awards & Recognition

Lorna McNaught, founder of Lores, has been celebrated for her dedication to ethical craftsmanship and sustainable jewelry design. Her passion for creating bespoke, meaningful pieces has earned her numerous prestigious awards in both design and sustainability. Lorna’s commitment to artistry, quality, and environmental responsibility shines through in each piece she creates. Discover the accolades that recognise her visionary work and the excellence that defines the Lores brand.

  • Invited to exhibit the ‘Robotic’ collection at Goldsmiths Hall in London.

  • Placed second in the ‘Live Design’ wedding ring set competition hosted by Weston Beamor, winning £250 and a week of work experience.

  • Won the Goldsmith Centre award at the Birmingham School of Jewellery HND graduate show, completing the ‘getting started’ course in london.

  • Won the National Association of Jewellers award design competition, with the winning design manufactured and presented to industry leaders in eight different jewellery sectors.

  • Awarded the William Dudley Trust grant, covering all costs associated with hosting a stand at the New Designers Show in London.

  • At New Designers Show in London, was awarded ‘Most Sustainable Jewellery Designer’.

  • ‘The Power of Plants’ collection featured in Retail Jeweller magazine.

  • Exhibited ‘Neptune’ collection at the Milano Jewellery Week as part of Milan Fashion Week, featuring in their annual publication as an artisan designer.

  • Awarded an ‘Access Grant’ by The Goldsmith Centre in London.

  • Awarded funding through Future Bright to complete an enamelling course at the Bristol School of Art.

  • Awarded the Benevolent Society grant to complete a valuer & appraisal course, becoming a registered valuer and including membership of the National Association of Jewellers.

  • Won the Prince’s Trust award, offering the opportunity to complete a course at the Goldsmith Centre in London.

  • Exhibited ‘Wild - Great White’ collection at Forge in Hatton Garden, London.

  • ‘Wild - Great White’ collection was featured in ‘Cotswold Life’ magazine.

  • Awarded an ‘Access Grant’ by The Goldsmith Centre in London.

  • Awarded a business grant by ‘SWEF Enterprize Fund’.

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