A hand engraver and jeweler based in London, Castro Smith completed a traditional apprenticeship with the Goldsmiths’ Company and studied with the renowned hand engraving firm RH Wilkins. His early training in painting and printmaking comes through in the design of his signet rings, which feature artwork inspired by history, myths, and biology. Smith works in sterling silver and gold using the ancient technique of seal engraving, which involves deeper and finer cuts than traditional two-dimensional hand engraving. Whereas traditional signet rings bore the family crest on the top, Smith engraves around the whole ring. He makes his own tools and experiments with European and Japanese engraving techniques, producing a cross-fertilization of styles and processes.