Atlantic Rose Jewellery: Coastal Craft Rooted in Northern Irish Heritage

Along the wild edges of Northern Ireland’s north coast, where ancient cliffs meet salt spray and stories are carved into stone, one local maker is turning history, geology, and heritage into modern heirlooms.

Atlantic Rose Jewellery, created by Portstewart-based designer Emma Thorpe, blends archaeological inspiration with artisan craft, producing distinctive, hand-made collections that are deeply rooted in the landscapes of the Causeway Coast.

For Emma, the coast isn’t just a backdrop – it’s the beating heart of her work. Raised among the myths and majesty of this rugged shoreline, she draws daily inspiration from basalt formations, ancient carvings, shipyard heritage and the shifting textures of sea and sand. “I grew up here,” she says. “This place shapes everything I make.”

Emma’s journey into jewellery-making wasn’t linear. Before founding Atlantic Rose in 2015, she spent more than a decade working in archaeology – a passion that left its mark on both her creative process and aesthetic.

A lifelong craftsperson, she began experimenting with chainmail and Viking knitting techniques that had fascinated since university. “The moment I tried them, something clicked,” she recalls. “I was hooked.”

What began as a personal creative outlet quickly became something more. After completing the Journey to Market programme with the local council – an initiative designed to support designer-makers across the region – Emma realised she could turn her love of craft into a business rooted in both tradition and place.

A diploma in Fine Jewellery with Jewellers Academy, London soon followed, refining her skills and expanding her practice. Today, Atlantic Rose is home to four signature collections, each inspired by a different strand of the North’s cultural and natural heritage.

Causeway Coast collection reimagines ancient techniques like chainmail and Viking knitting through the lens of local geology, featuring lava beads, sea glass and semi-precious stones reminiscent of long-lost treasures. The Belfast collection pays tribute to the golden age of Northern Ireland’s shipbuilding, with twisted ropes, bold geometry and hammered textures evoking a time of industrial elegance.

The collection is also a personal nod to Emma’s own family roots in the city, some of whom are connected to Belfast’s proud maritime industry. The Petroglyphs collection draws directly from Ireland’s earliest artforms – spirals, stars, crescent moons and Ogham script – transforming ancient symbols into wearable pieces of sterling silver storytelling.

The Shorelines collection captures fleeting coastal moments: the pull of a tide, the ripple of a rock pool, the glint of seaweed on silver sand. Hand-forged and sand-cast, these pieces are tactile, textured, and deeply elemental.

Atlantic Rose also offers a bespoke bridal collection, marrying elements from each range to create one-of-a-kind engagement and wedding pieces steeped in meaning.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of the brand lies in its name. “Atlantic” captures the spirit of a life spent beside the sea —“Rose” honours Emma’s grandmother, Rosena Shaw – an artist in her own right, and the person behind the handwriting which now forms the Atlantic Rose logo. “She was a huge creative influence growing up,” Emma says. “She still influences my work today.” Now, nearly a decade on from its launch, Atlantic Rose continues to grow – slowly, intentionally, and always with a strong sense of place.

“This business isn’t just about jewellery,” Emma says. “It’s about story, memory, and connection – to the land, to the past, and to each other.” With each collection, Emma invites wearers to carry a small piece of the Causeway Coast with them – not just as a souvenir but as something living, lasting, and lovingly made.

Explore Atlantic Rose here.