Emefa Cole (b. 1979) is a London based jewellery designer-maker who is known for her bold, sculptural pieces inspired by the geological processes and textures of the Earth, personal memory and her Ghanaian culture. Born in Sunyani, West-Central Ghana, Cole moved to London when she was 12 years old. She graduated from London Metropolitan University’s Cass School of Art in 2011 with a BA (Hons) in Silversmithing and Jewellery and launched Emefa Cole Inc, in 2012. Cole uses single mine origin gold and 100% recycled silver in all her pieces and stones sourced directly from African gem cutters.

Cole’s Ghanaian heritage and early connection to her homeland form strong themes in her practice, with inspiration coming from across western Africa. Two of her jewellery series, Erosion (2011/12) and Vulcan (2012) are featured in this sketchbook containing ring designs, annotations and collages of inspirational images. Cole was enthralled by local folklore as a child and stories of people unearthing gold nuggets exposed by heavy tropical rains and the spectacle of gold emerging from the soil. This notion of unveiling hidden treasure inspired Erosion (2011/12) which focuses on the quiet, continual, natural process of shaping the planet. Vulcan (2012), which can be viewed as a foil to Erosion, celebrates the wonder of volcanology and the colours, textures, and tones it scores into the landscape. In 2020, the V&A acquired an oxidized silver and gold leaf ring, Vulcan (2012) from her Vulcan series.

Cole taught herself wax-carving and casts her jewels using the ancient lost-wax technique. A sketch drawing is often the starting point of a design, but she relies on the feel of the wax model in her hand to tell her when it is complete. In 2020 and 2023, Emefa returned to Ghana to fulfil her long-held ambition of undertaking an apprenticeship with the royal goldsmith of the Asantahene in Kumasi, to study ancient Ashanti goldsmithing and casting techniques.