Dr. Sofie Boons, course leader for the BA (Hons) Jewellery Design & Production at BAJ, brought her pioneering research to the international stage with her presentation at Munich Jewellery Week 2025. Running from the 11th to the 15th of March, the prestigious event welcomed leading voices in contemporary jewellery, with Dr. Boons’ thought-provoking exhibition, Neo-gemstones@Gabriele Space, among its standout contributions.

Challenging Conventional Perceptions of Value

Rooted in the themes of her ongoing practice-based research, the exhibition explored the transformative power of materials and challenged conventional perceptions of value within the jewellery industry. Central to her work are the concepts of urban mining, transmutational reuse, and the societal constructs that define material worth. Through her inventive approach, Dr. Boons asks audiences to reconsider what constitutes a gemstone and what qualifies as ‘precious.’

“When waste rubies can be grown in situ in jewellery, garnets can be engineered to glow in the dark, and diamonds can be mined from industry to bling things, shouldn’t we look beyond labels and rethink what we consider invaluable? With this exhibition I invited visitors to inspect these objects as productive objections and expand their own material-realisations,” said Dr. Boons.

 Redefining Luxury Through Sustainable Design 

Her experimental creations serve as more than visual spectacles- they are critical commentaries on sustainability, authenticity, and the future of adornment. By incorporating repurposed materials and innovative fabrication techniques, Dr. Boons redefines luxury in a rapidly evolving design landscape.

Dr. Boons’ participation in Munich Jewellery Week not only reinforces her status as a thought leader in contemporary jewellery design but also highlights BAJ’s dedication to fostering forward-thinking, socially conscious design practices. 

Pushing Boundaries – Material and Conceptual

Through Neo-gemstones, Dr. Boons continues to push boundaries- both material and conceptual- inviting the next generation of jewellery designers to reimagine the possible.  

Explore the ideas shaping Dr. Boons’ practice

Listen to the BAJ Podcast here, where Dr. Boons is joined by a special guest each month, for insightful conversations on everything from the history of jewellery to cutting-edge techniques and the trends influencing the industry. 

 Interested in studying with our course leader, Dr. Boons?

Join Dr. Boons and a community of innovative practitioners at the forefront of jewellery education. Learn more about our BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and Production course.