Catherine Rouchon

Catherine Rouchon is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, silversmith, and lapidary artist from Louisiana. As a full time artist she creates original jewelry pieces. Using her lapidary skills, she cuts, grinds and polishes cabochons. Her favorite stones to work with are the ones she mines herself. Her silver work designs are inspired by the landscape and the wildlife she encounters on her travels as well as her native surroundings.

Catherine creates magnolia hand forged blossoms. The layers of petals are cut from a sheet of sterling silver using a jeweler’s saw. They are sanded and hand shaped to create an organic look. After many more steps of assembling and polishing, the magnolias are oxidized and burnished with steel wool to create the satin finish.

Catherine’s reversible pendants are storytelling wearable art. The stones are often cut without a design in plan. The focus is first on getting the best cabochon from the rock or mineral. The stone helps inspire the story told by the silver work that holds it. The artwork of the silver and stone creates conversation, when the wearer decides to show the hidden details to its admirers.