About Tom Rucker

Globally recognised, influential platinum jewellery designer

Tom is a multi-award-winning international jeweller who is globally recognised as one of the most influential platinum jewellery designers of his time. His creations have been worn at many fine occasions including the Oscars’ and Emmy’s.

Design innovation

Tom is a designer of the most exquisite, acclaimed jewellery, the creator of blue platinum and of the innovative GEO.2 laser technique. In addition to blue platinum he has found ways to successfully add a variety of colours to platinum including pinks, greens and purples.

Honoured by the City of London

Gold award winner

Tom is a Freeman of the City of London (the greatest honour the City of London can bestow) and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths – one of the Great 12 Livery Companies.

Over the years Tom has received many awards for his unique designs and innovative ideas including scooping an exceptional five gold awards in 2017 in recognition of his creative, innovative ground-breaking work and designs.

Awards

2017

Goldsmiths’ Craftmanship & Design Awards UK
Gold Award Category Senior
Gold Award Boodles Fine Jewellery
Gold Award Technological Innovation
Gold Award The Goldsmiths Company
Gold Award Brown & Newirth Fine Jewellery
Ujin Lin Selects 2017

2015

Goldsmiths’ Craftmanship & Design Awards UK
Technological Innovation Award
Centurion Designer Award USA
Julia Peyton Jones Selects

2014

Zaha Hadid Selects 2014
Special Ministerial Award from the Western Cape Government for an outstanding contribution to the visual arts on national and international levels

2009

DIA 2009 – Design Innovation Award · UK
UK Jewellery Awards 2009
Finalist Designer of the Year
Finalist Best Platinum Bridal collection
Platinum Award ‘Trends 2009’
Platinum Guild International

2008

Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards · UK
Gold Award, Section Setters Senior
Gold Award, Section Technological Innovation
DIA 2008 – Design Innovation Award · UK

1991 – 2007

Design Innovation Award · UK
Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards · UK
Technological Innovation Award
International Pearl Design Contest · Tokyo, Japan
Prix Arctica · Finland
Best of Works Kemi Art Museum · Finland
Benvenuto Cellini Gold Medal · Germany for the highest possible design and manufacturing standards
Honour of the Japanese Government for an outstanding commitment in Akoya Pearl Design.

Training and Early Career

Gemologist and diamond expert

Tom was born in 1970 in Munich, Germany into a well-established goldsmiths’ family. Following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather – all Master Goldsmiths – he started an apprenticeship at the School of Jewellery at Munich’s Luisenschule. Graduating as a goldsmith in 1991 and after completing a series of advanced courses at several international institutes, Tom qualified as a gemologist and diamond expert.

In 1995 Tom was awarded a Masters degree from the renowned HBZ in Muenster, Germany. With a keen interest in state of the art jewellery manufacturing techniques Tom invested in one of the very first laser welding machines that had been designed especially for the jewellery trade. It wasn’t long before Tom earned international recognition in his field  – it was this that brought him to the UK in the late 1990s.

Laser Welding First

In 1997 Tom set up a course in Creative Laser Welding Techniques for Birmingham’s City University, BIAD – the first in the UK to introduce this technique to the jewellery trade. This highly respected course introduced students and established jewellery designers to these specialist techniques and skills. Today Tom uses his GEO2 laser technique to produce jewellery of the highest quality with the finest platinum, gold and gems.

UK Based

Since 2006 Tom has based his business in the UK. He works mainly with platinum alongside 18 carat yellow gold. He combines these precious metals with rare, coloured, precious stones and diamonds.

Please contact Tom to discuss his work or to commission pieces.