Spending time with Janine Binneman is like breathing pure oxygen, but the oxygen has a distinct azure blue energy which vibrates on the same frequency as a bubbling chemical reaction you’d find in some crazy Frankenstein-like laboratory. Janine and her all-woman team exude an honesty where creativity reigns supreme.

The Janine Binneman Jewellery Design (JBJD) studio looks out over the most beautiful landscape from Tokai towards the Constantiaberg Mountains. Magnificent and majestic – which would fuse into the word “Magic” – is what the JBJD team keep themselves busy with every day, creating bespoke jewellery pieces which tell stories.

“My clients should always feel that they are wearing a part of their life’s story captured in the jewellery pieces we create. As part of our South African tradition, I try and convince my loyal patrons of the incredible qualities of platinum – pure, durable, hypo-allergenic and, above all, beautiful beyond description. All South Africans should share in this magical metal as part of our heritage”

Janine’s passion for platinum comes across when she illustrates the clean whiteness of a platinum ring as opposed to the less pure colour of other white precious metals. “Platinum is so timeless – I have been wearing my platinum ring for more than twenty years and it is still perfect – no corrosion, loss of stones or change in colour – other white jewellery must be plated to get the pure white colour and the plating unfortunately fades and needs to be maintained every so often. Your platinum piece will be an heirloom which will be passed from generation to generation.”

Out of the azure blue, a striking ginger cat appears who obviously owns the JBJD studio. “Huff” or “Sir Huffington”, as is more proper, is only one of a few pets who are part of this multi-dimensional team. In comparison with Janine’s signature blue hair, Sir Huff glows orange like a piece of platinum being annealed – it makes me laugh and glad to be South African.