Beginnings and Inspiration: An Interview with CuanOr.
The House of Etiquette is delighted to interview husband and wife team Clare and Dan of CuanOr.
Could you tell us what inspired you to create the brand and how the spirit of the sea influences your jewellery?
CuanOr was born from a shared love of the sea—its power, its mystery, and its ability to
make us feel both grounded and free. We wanted to capture that feeling in a way that could be
worn every day, something timeless that connects people back to the places and moments that
shape them.
Dan and I met 20 years ago while sailing, and the sea has been a constant in our lives ever
since. We married, and have spent countless summers taking our children and Caviller
Kings Charles dogs on amazing sailing trips around the coast of Ireland—adventures full of
changing weather, hidden coves, and the kind of moments you only find on the water. Our
shared love and awe for the sea and the coastline have given us some of our most
cherished family memories and continues to inspire us.
Our jewellery design inspiration is drawn from our love of the sea as well as from our Celtic
heritage. Both of which are timeless connections of beauty that can be worn with meaning by
the modern woman.
Craft and Design: Dan, your goldsmithing began as a hobby during Covid and has now evolved into the beautiful craftsmanship we see at CuanOr. How did that journey unfold? Clare, how do your design ideas and professional experience shape each piece?
Dan
My journey into goldsmithing began unexpectedly during Covid. Like many people, I found myself
with more time, and I instinctively gravitated toward working with my hands as my father did. I
started with baking but quickly moved on. What started as curiosity about how jewellery is made
quickly became a deep passion. I began experimenting — melting small amounts of gold, learning
traditional techniques, and discovering the precision and patience required to bring an idea to life.
Once we came out of lockdown I wanted to learn from traditional goldsmiths and found myself
training not only in Ireland but further afield in Germany and Netherlands. Over time the hobby
evolved into honing my skills as a goldsmith. Each piece taught me something new, and the more I
learned, the more determined I became to create jewellery that felt intentional, meaningful and
sustainable. There is sense of authenticity in knowing each piece starts from raw material and
becomes something lasting.
Clare
I’ve always loved the quiet beauty in small details and the emotional weight that meaningful
objects carry. Fine gold jewellery design and creation felt like the natural place where those
instincts met. We chose gold because it’s timeless beauty, sustainable, and capable of
holding those memories as well as its value. As an accountant by profession, I understand
the intrinsic value and investment potential of solid gold jewellery. Like all discerning
women, I understand the beauty in gold jewellery and the confidence you feel when wearing
such art and glamour.
Stories in the Jewellery: Your pieces are inspired by Ireland’s coastline, Celtic heritage and family sailing adventures. Is there one design that holds a particularly special story for you?
We both have the same favourite piece. It is the Grainne Mhaol pendant. Grainne Mhaol was
an Irish female hero of the sea in the 1500’s. She was the original Irish and Celtic trailblazer.
She was strong and powerful, known as Irelands Pirate Queen, a fearless warrior of the high
seas who protected the people along our coastline. Visually the pendant is designed and
crafted to reflect the sun glistening on the waves the pirate queen sailed through and
emotionally it reflects the strength and courage of women.
Slow Sustainable Luxury: CuanOr embraces slow sustainable luxury. How do you ensure your jewellery is elegant, enduring and mindful of its impact?
The whole ethos of CuanOr is slow sustainable fashion and beauty. Our pieces are investment
pieces of enduring quality that can be handed down generations. Each piece is sustainably
and lovingly hand crafted in Ireland, made with the finest grade of gold. Each design is as a
result of hours of pouring over designs with the modern woman in mind. Our carbon mileage
is low as well as our impact on the environment. We understand that the modern woman
wants sustainable, contemporary, meaningful artwork to wear.
Timelessness and Investment: Your jewellery is solid gold, designed to be treasured and passed down. What guidance would you give someone choosing a piece that can become a lifelong keepsake?
CuanOr jewellery is made of solid gold. Unlike jewellery in the market place which can be
hallow, gold plated or gold vermeil.
When choosing a piece of gold jewellery to be treasured and handed down there are many
factors to be considered. Firstly, the intrinsic value of the piece, the higher the carat the
higher the value. The higher the weight the higher the value. Is the piece solid the whole way
through or is the piece light and hallow in the middle. These things matter to ensure the piece
is enduring and will stand the test of time and hold its value. There is also the beauty of the
design and what resonates in the heart of the person wearing the piece of jewellery and how it
makes you feel when wearing it. I cherish the thought that my daughter will always be able to
wear my beautiful designs to remind her me.
Joys and Surprises: Launching a luxury jewellery brand must have brought many surprises. What has been the most unexpected part of the journey, and what moment has given you the greatest satisfaction?
Launching CuanOr has been quite the journey. We have been lucky enough to have worked
with a fabulous photographer Patrick McHugh and some beautiful talented models. It has
been a joy to have been able to start with a grain of an idea and design and handcraft such
beautiful pieces of jewellery and be proud of our Irish heritage and what we can create here
in Ireland. CuanOr jewellery really finishes off any outfit, it’s like putting on perfume, it
makes a beautiful woman feel sexy, alive and cherished. That give us great satisfaction.
Christmas and Gifting: With Christmas approaching, which piece from your collection would you choose as a meaningful gift, and what sentiment would you hope it conveys to the recipient?
Every woman wants a piece of jewellery for Christmas. It’s a gift of love. It’s a gift that will
be cherished and it’s a gift of smiles. Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one.
As a beautiful and meaningful gift, I think the perfect choice of CuanOr jewellery is our 18ct
Signature Atlantic Pendant. It is stunning, elegant and luxurious. Each interlocking ring
sculped with flowing wave details with a nod to the Atlantic Ocean. The interlocking rings
are also a symbol of eternity, which every woman will cherish and love.
As all CuanOr jewellery is hand crafted, it is limited edition and exclusive.