Our Story

We are six women from Ornes, a small village in Norway’s fjord region.  
Together we have been crafting fine jewelry for 47 years. By hand. Without machines. The way our mothers and grandmothers taught us.

How It Began  

I am Helena, 74 years old. I began working with silver and gemstones when I was sixteen.  
"It took twenty years before my hands knew what they were doing. Another twenty to truly master it."  
We never had a website. Never social media. We made jewelry for family, friends, neighbors. That was enough.

Why We Do This  

Every piece we create takes us 6 to 8 hours—sometimes much longer. Every setting, every polish, by hand. We use only the finest silver, gold, and genuine gemstones. No shortcuts. No rush.  
We don’t do this for the money. We do this because it’s the only thing we know. The only thing we do well. The work of our lives.

A Difficult Decision  

Our daughters never learned the craft. They moved to the city. Good jobs. Good lives. We don’t blame them.  
But it does mean that when we stop, this stops.  
Forty-seven years of knowledge. Six pairs of hands. And then nothing more.  
That’s why we decided: one final collection. Then we set down our tools.

For You  

We want our jewelry to go to women who understand what they are holding.  
Women who know that something beautiful takes time.  
Women who want a piece that lasts a lifetime—perhaps even passed down to a daughter.  
If you are that kind of woman, then this jewelry was made for you.

With love and patience,  
Helena, Anneli, Liisa, Marja, Kirsti & Eeva  
Atelier Ornes, Ornes, Norway