Interview: Ornella Iannuzzi on her rock-inspired jewellery

Award-winning London-based jeweller Ornella Iannuzzi describes how her childhood influenced her design philosophy, and her dedication to the details.

"I grew up in the French Alps, near the valley of Grenoble, surrounded by mountains and forests, so I've always had a deep fascination with nature. As a kid, I spent a lot of time observing nature, including the genesis of life and how things grow. For me, every natural material is precious. This philosophy influences my work to this day."

"My first prêt-à-porter line, Les Corallines, was launched in September 2013 at London Fashion Week. I wanted to introduce some jewellery for daily wear while still preserving the distinctiveness and femininity of my work. Also, I wanted to reach a larger and younger audience, so this first range was made in silver with pearls."

"My father was a watchmaker, so my love of precision and perfection probably comes from him."

"Each piece is very time consuming, though that time varies. I rarely spend less than 20 hours on a piece. My latest ring took 180 hours to complete."