Gaudy Stockholm celebrates 50 years of jewelled excellence with an exhibition at the Royal Mews

Gaudy Stockholm has been preserving the true art of handcrafted jewels ever since it was founded in 1975. To mark their golden jubilee this year, the family-owned company held a private exhibition at the Royal Mews in Stockholm on September 18. Titled It’s In the Hands, the exhibition puts the spotlight on the brand’s true gems – their goldsmiths and master setters. Six entirely new pieces of jewellery were displayed – each created by the company's master craftsmen.

The house’s masters and journeymen were given a unique challenge: to create one jewel each, within 40 working hours, with complete creative freedom. Before them lay a cornucopia of precious stones and noble metals from which to choose.

Two former artisans were also invited back to the atelier – a tribute to the relationships built across generations. The 6-piece collection is a testament to the atelier’s long-standing association with craftsmanship par excellence, precision and passion for detail.

The Team, Gaudy Jewellery

“In an age when much is called 'handmade', we wanted to show what it truly means,” shared Natasja Gaudy, Creative Director of the brand. “This exhibition offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of our craft,” added the second-generation jeweller.

“It’s unbelievable that 50 years have gone by so fast. It is fantastic that we have been able to sustain throughout with the same work vision with which my parents founded the brand. For our 50^th year, I came up with the idea to present what we do behind the scenes. People know what we do, but may not understand everything that we do, which is creating unique pieces that are entirely made by hand. We don’t cast anything. We don’t use CAD/CAM,” Gaudy elaborated.

The brand was founded by Austrian goldsmith Eduard and his wife Monica with a vision to create impeccable designs using the highest level of craftsmanship. At Gaudy, they only create one of every design, making each jewel unique. Every gem is carefully selected, each piece of metal shaped by hand, and every detail manually enhanced to perfection. Natasja Gaudy joined her parents in 1992.  In 1997, Eduard was appointed Court Jeweller by His Majesty The King of Sweden – a title the company has held ever since.

Two generations of goldsmiths, Master goldsmith Eduard and his daughter Natasja Gaudi

The exhibition is a way to honour their goldsmiths and co-workers who have been instrumental in bringing the brand this far. “I also wanted to present my co-workers because we wouldn’t be where we are without them. It has been lovely to work with our co-workers in a new way,” Natasja Gaudy elucidated.

The exhibition enabled visitors to meet the craftsmen behind these extraordinary works. The event also offered a rare opportunity to see the historic rooms of His Majesty The King's Royal Mews that are usually not accessible to the public.

Here are the jewels that were on display at the exhibition:

André Pankhurst’s sculptural 18k red gold ring with ametrine cut by Bernd Munsteiner and pink spinels

Pankhurst, a specialist in platinum and diamond settings chose red gold – a tribute to the aesthetics of the 1960s for this project. He picked a Munsteiner-cut ametrine which required exceptional setting skills. Inspired by the rhythmic flow of jazz and guitar music, André created a ring in which red gold embraces the unique gemstone, accentuated by delicate pink spinels.

André Pankhurst’s sculptural 18k red gold ring with ametrine cut by Bernd Munsteiner and pink spinels

Carina Fransson’s striking titanium and 23k gold necklace with a cabochon-cut mandarin garnet

Goldsmith Fransson previously worked with Gaudy and was invited back for this special collection. Fransson challenged herself with a titanium chain – an uncommon material requiring intensive filing and polishing to achieve a glass-like surface. It features 23k gold links with a cabochon-cut mandarin garnet at the finial.

Carina Fransson’s striking titanium and 23k gold necklace with a cabochon-cut mandarin garnet

Carolin Walter’s mesmerising green tourmaline, tsavorite, and Tahitian pearl bangle in 18k yellow gold

One of Gaudy’s most experienced goldsmiths, Walter was immediately drawn to green tourmalines and dark Tahitian pearls. The choice between bangles and earrings was determined by the stones’ shapes and colours, which ultimately guided the design.

Carolin Walter’s mesmerising green tourmaline, tsavorite, and Tahitian pearl bangle in 18k yellow gold

Karin Geissler’s whimsical 925 silver, 23k gold and 950 palladium tiara with aquamarine, chalcedony, and blue sapphires

Geissler serves as the head of Gaudy’s workshop. For the Jubilee, Geissler created a tiara for the new generation. Inspired by Princess Estelle, the Duchess of Östergötland, Geissler created a modern interpretation of the midsummer wreath, adorned with cornflowers – the provincial flower of Östergötland. Each petal was meticulously hand-sawn and repoussé-worked, complemented by aquamarine and chalcedony buds.  

Karin Geissler’s whimsical 925 silver, 23k gold and 950 palladium tiara with aquamarine, chalcedony, and blue sapphires

Magnus Gabriel’s mystical 18k red gold earrings with boulder opals and cabochon-cut sapphires

Gabriel joined Gaudy as an intern but has stayed with them for five years. For the project, Gabriel chose opals combined with sapphires—stones that, for him, reflect both the sea and the cosmos. Inspired by their movement, he created earrings where gravity meets precision, and colours speak for themselves.

Magnus Gabriel’s mystical 18k red gold earrings with boulder opals and cabochon-cut sapphires

Maximilian Wunder’s butterfly pendant outfitted in 18k champagne gold with chalcedony wings, diamonds, and aquamarine

Wunder, a specialist in technically advanced solutions, was invited back to the company for this special project. He revived an idea he had long carried: a butterfly with light chalcedony wings. With his technical precision, Max created a pendant where chalcedony wings are embraced by champagne gold and diamonds.

Maximilian Wunder’s butterfly pendant, 18k champagne gold with chalcedony wings, diamonds, and aquamarine

Zoltan Bod, Master Setter and Engraver

Since 1996, Zoltan has worked as an independent artisan with Gaudy’s atelier as his base. He specialises in engraving and stone-setting – two disciplines that demand absolute precision and patience. For the Jubilee project, Zoltan was entrusted with the role of master setter, responsible for setting every jewel crafted by his colleagues. Each piece had its own challenges, but Bod masterfully accomplished them all. At Gaudy Jewellery, master stone setter and engraver Zoltan, with 30 years of experience, views his craft as the heart of storytelling through jewellery. “Stone setting is the most important part,” he says, emphasising the precision and care required to make each gem shine, elevating a piece from beautiful to extraordinary. Beyond his meticulous work, Zoltan now embraces a vital role in training the next generation of artisans, sharing the techniques and passion he’s honed over decades. “It’s about passing on a legacy,” he explains, fostering a team that sees every piece as a story crafted with skill and pride, ensuring Gaudy Jewellery’s tradition of excellence endures.

Zoltan Bod, Master Setter and Engraver in his own words

The pieces are examples of extraordinary hand-craftsmanship. The exhibition offered a peek into the magic that unfolds at Gaudy’s atelier on a daily basis.