Castro Smith

Castro Smith started his training as a painter and printmaker, a style that comes through in the design of his rings. He began training with a traditional apprenticeship with the Goldsmiths Company and studied in one of the largest engraving firms, RH Wilkins. He learned to keep the tools sharp, clean the workshop, polish, file, engrave and took three months to learn how to hold the tools. In 2017 he was awarded the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust scholarship and travelled to Japan to study with Japanese masters under the guidance of Hiroshi Suzuki. Castro has been in-residence at Sarabande since 2017, and uses his knowledge of engraving to create contemporary pieces, experimenting with European and Japanese engraving techniques, producing a cross fertilisation of styles and processes. Castro has a huge client list and works mainly on bespoke commissions, as well as selling through Dover Street Market. He has won multiple awards including Apprentice of the Year 2017 at St James’ Palace; the Craft and Design Gold Award; the Goldsmiths Special Council Award; the Podolsky Award and the Theo Fennel Award.