Introduction:
Every August, Kilkenny becomes Ireland’s creative heartbeat. Kilkenny Arts Festival draws together artists, performers, and makers from across the country and beyond—transforming the city into a living celebration of imagination, craft, and culture. For over 50 years, the festival has championed artistic expression in all its forms. And for Rudolf Heltzel, rooted in Kilkenny since the 1960s, it’s a moment that feels deeply personal.
Because to us, jewellery is more than adornment; it’s a form of wearable art, shaped by hand, guided by spirit. Like the painters, dancers, and poets who shine during the festival, we are driven by human expression—and the timeless beauty of creating something lasting.
The Craft of Jewellery as Fine Art
Every Rudolf Heltzel piece begins as all great art does: with a spark of inspiration. But from that spark comes a process of refinement. Gold meets gemstone. Tools meet hands. Ideas are shaped into enduring form.
In our Kilkenny workshop, expertly trained goldsmiths work slowly and with intention. Like the sculptors or ceramicists who exhibit during Kilkenny Arts Festival, they honour centuries-old techniques, combining discipline with imagination to craft jewellery that resonates on both an emotional and aesthetic level.
A Legacy Rooted in Kilkenny’s Creative Heritage
Since 1968, our workshop has been part of Kilkenny’s creative landscape. Founded in the same era that gave rise to Kilkenny Arts Festival, the studio has long welcomed curious visitors that have become loyal clients. Some arrive seeking a custom piece with meaning. Others come to experience the atmosphere of a working atelier—where story and material become one.
Our roots trace back to the pioneering Kilkenny Design Workshops, an initiative that redefined Irish craft and design in the 1960s and 70s. Rudolf Heltzel, invited from Germany as a founding goldsmith, helped establish new standards for jewellery design in Ireland. That spirit lives on in our Patrick Street studio today, where we remain guided by the values of integrity, innovation, and excellence in craft.
The Goldsmith’s Garden: A Celebration of Colour
To mark this year’s Kilkenny Arts Festival, we present to you The Goldsmith’s Garden — a one-of-a-kind pendant that captures the vibrant spirit of a garden in full bloom. Handcrafted in 18ct yellow gold, this unique piece brings together rich tourmalines, serene aquamarines, and brilliant-cut diamonds in a composition that celebrates colour not simply as ornament, but as pure expression.
Inspired by the beauty and abundance of the natural world, The Goldsmith’s Garden is both joyful and refined, a miniature sculpture where gold and gemstone meet in harmony. Every curve, setting, and sparkle is shaped with intention in our Kilkenny studio, continuing a tradition of craftsmanship that stretches back over five decades.
Rooted in heritage and flourishing with contemporary vitality, The Goldsmith’s Garden is more than adornment. It is a celebration — of nature, of craftsmanship, and of the enduring connection between the maker and the wearer.
Visit Us This Festival Week
Our studio at 10 Patrick Street, Kilkenny, is open throughout Kilkenny Arts Festival for drop-in visits and private consultations.
Book an appointment to explore bespoke commissions or discover our latest one-of-a-kind creations handcrafted in-house.
