Sofie Boons completed her PhD titled ‘Neo-gemstones: an Alchemical Jeweller’s exploration of lab-grown crystals and related technologies, proposing innovations whilst challenging context, terminology, and underlying assumptions’. From investigating urban mining practices, experimenting with unique glow in the dark gemstone materials, to growing DIY rubies in-situ in jewellery structures, her work provides a comprehensive insight into the multiplicitous approaches to neo-gemstones within a contemporary jewellery practice.

The Centre for Print Research at the University of the West of England is a distinctive centre of research excellence. The CFPR has developed partnerships with world leading institutions and an outstanding record in working with collaborators across a wide range of sectors, including fine art, design, material science and engineering.

The Department of Gemstone and Jewellery at the Trier University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) was founded in 1986 and has established itself as leader in gemstone and jewellery education. The three courses on offer have an explicitly artistic approach and philosophy. Located in the gemstone city of Idar-Oberstein, the department is well connected with industry and a highly regarded organiser of exhibitions, seminars and residencies.

With GABRIELE SPACE, International Munich Art Lab (IMAL) has been offering space for artistic work, experimentation and exchange since 2020. They support young artists by providing them with workshops, studios, discussion and exhibition spaces free of charge. Here they can work together, support each other and network.
They are creating open spaces and an artistic-cultural, social, district-related use of vacant industrial buildings in the form of interim uses.