About
About Diane, The Maker Behind Dainty Rocks
Making jewellery has been part of my life since 2006; when I wanted to create my own wedding necklace, I became addicted to the sparkles and beads!
But the jewellery I make now, the birthstone pieces, the family initials, the pieces people cry over when they open them, that came from a much harder chapter.
My son Charlie was born with Down’s syndrome. A few days after he arrived, I was told my mum’s cancer had come back. Terminal. She died six months later, just as we were finding our feet as a new family.
A few weeks after we lost her, Charlie developed a twisted bowel. He nearly died. We spent three months in hospital not knowing what would happen next. Then, not long after we brought him home, Charlie’s other grandma had a stroke and was diagnosed with cancer. We lost her too, about a year later.
In the space of a couple of years, our world was full of love and loss in equal measure. And somewhere in that, I really understood what jewellery is actually for.
Not decoration, but connection. A way of keeping the people you love close, even when they’re not there.
That’s what every piece I make is about. The birthstones aren’t just pretty colours. The initials aren’t just letters. They’re the people who matter most to you, made into something you can hold onto.
Hi, I’m Diane. I make everything to order in my Northamptonshire workshop, and I’m so glad you’re here.
I live in the heart of England with my husband and gorgeous son Charlie. I love days out, caravanning, discovering new places in the UK, beaches, forests, steam trains and other quirky transport. Life is non stop, but my favourite part of the day is sitting down with a cup of tea at the end of it.
Why Dainty Rocks?
The name says it all really. Dainty: small, tiny, delicate. Rocks: mineral, stone. It’s exactly what I love to make.
What I make
Most pieces are very dainty and delicate beaded jewellery, with beads typically 2mm to 4mm. That came from my own love of wearing jewellery without feeling it. Everything is made for comfort.
How I personalise it
My technique is hand stamping. I use letter and number stamps and a hammer to imprint designs into sterling silver. It doesn’t take long to stamp, but it’s taken me years to get it right!
I did try silversmithing once. Rings, earrings, soldering techniques. Turns out waving a gas flame around fills me with mild terror, and I enjoy it nowhere near as much as working with beads. So here we are.
My current favourites are the family initial bracelets and the birthstone range, because they tell the story of a family, including the ones who may not all be here anymore.
That said, there’s nothing quite like packaging up a full stacking bracelet set, feeling the weight of the silver in my hands, knowing someone is about to have an armful of pieces they’ll reach for every day.
My customers make this work worthwhile. When someone leaves a review saying the recipient burst into tears opening their gift, that’s exactly why I do this.
The necklace that started it all:
