Our Story
Where it began
The first Bink pendant was made for my own family after my dad died. I wanted to create something my step mum could wear every day. Something small, simple and personal that kept him close. I shaped it by hand, added texture using a piece of Brunel’s wide gauge railway that Dad kept for years and sealed a tiny amount of his ashes inside. It felt right to know that the connection to Dad is in every piece I make. That pendant became the starting point for Atom Heart Gold.
A piece with a purpose
I make each pendant myself in Bristol using traditional silversmithing techniques. Every one is formed, soldered, filled and finished individually. No two are ever the same. The idea is not to create a mass produced item. It is to make something that carries a story and is worn with pride.
For many people this is not jewellery in the usual sense. It is a way of honouring a person or pet who meant a great deal. My job is to make sure the process feels personal, calm and respectful from the beginning.
Because of the nature of the work, I like to speak directly to every client before I begin. This can be online or in person if you are local. During that conversation we talk through the wording, the metal, the chain and how the ashes will be handled. You can ask anything you like. There is no expectation or rush.
When ashes arrive, they are kept separately, clearly labelled and handled with care throughout the process. Any that remain are returned exactly as agreed.
A personal approach
Each pendant is made here in my workshop using the same attention and intention as the very first one. The polished side can be engraved. The textured side carries the pattern from the Brunel railway steel.
It is quiet, steady work. I enjoy the process and believe that the care that goes into it matters.
Crafted in Bristol
A meaningful gift
Some people commission a pendant for themselves. Others give them as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries or in memory of a family member. I also offer gift cards for those who want to give something meaningful but prefer the recipient to be involved in the design and consultation.
Why Atom Heart Gold
The name reflects the mix of personal history and craft behind the pendant (and for those in the know - a nod to Pink Floyd). It is about heart, family and the value of something made carefully, by hand, for a purpose.
If you would like to talk about a pendant or ask questions, I am always happy to hear from you.
About Max Thompson
I am a silver and goldsmith based in Bristol, and I make every pendant by hand in my workshop. The idea began with a piece I created for my own family after my dad died, and the meaning behind that first pendant guides everything I do today. My approach is steady, personal and respectful. I take time to speak with every client, handle each set of ashes with care and craft every pendant individually so it feels right for the person who will wear it.
