FAQ

Gleichenia is a Tokyo-based contemporary jewelry unit founded by Kanako Ikegaya and Yu Ikegaya. We started in 2020, and since our first exhibition in 2021 we have participated in 29+ exhibitions and pop-up events. We make one-of-a-kind jewelry and objects by hand, working primarily with glass fired using a technique called pate de verre and with silver.

Gleichenia is the scientific name of the urajiro fern family — specifically Gleichenia japonica. Urajiro is a plant used in Japanese New Year decorations; its name literally means "white back," referring to the silver-white underside of its fronds. The fern grows two leaves extending outward from a single stem, forming a symmetrical pair. That paired structure mirrors how we work: two people with different backgrounds (sculpture and spatial design) coming together to make one body of work.

Kanako Ikegaya (BA Sculpture, Wimbledon College of Arts, University of the Arts London, 2012) and Yu Ikegaya (BA Interior and Spatial Design, Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London, 2011). After graduating, Kanako trained under a glass artist and learned pate de verre; Yu trained under a metalsmith and learned silver fabrication. We handle all production, sales, and photography as a two-person unit.

Contemporary jewelry is a field where the artist's concept and creative expression take priority over the material value of the components. There are no restrictions on materials — glass, wood, fiber, ceramics, and metals are all used. What defines a piece is not what it is made of, but why and how it was made.

No. We design without regard to gender, age, or background. Our pieces can be worn on the body, displayed in a room, or used in whatever way feels right.

Our primary materials are glass (made using pate de verre) and silver. We also use copper sheet for enamel work, silk cord, brass, wood, and acrylic depending on the piece. Material details are listed on each product page.

Pate de verre (French for "glass paste") is a kiln-firing glass technique. Our approach may not be traditional pate de verre in the strict sense — we mix crushed glass with color powder and pigment, pack it into a plaster mold, and fire it in a kiln. After firing, we break open the mold and cut and grind the glass by hand. All of Gleichenia's glass is made this way.

Devitrification is a process where glass crystallizes during heating and cooling, shifting from transparent to semi-translucent. Most glassmakers treat it as a flaw to avoid. We deliberately use devitrification in our INWATER series to create a distinctive bubble-like, marbled texture — a cloudiness that gives each piece its own character.

We use 950-purity silver (95% silver) for nearly all of our silver components. This is higher purity than sterling silver (925/92.5%), which gives it a softer, warmer quality well-suited to hand-forming. It work-hardens during shaping to maintain structural strength in the finished piece. In Japan, 950 silver has traditionally been used in metalwork and craft — it sits in a similar purity range to Britannia silver (958) in the British tradition, though the two are separate standards.

Enamel (shippou in Japanese) is a technique where glass powder is fused onto a metal surface — in our case, copper sheet — by firing in a kiln. Kanako specializes in enamel alongside pate de verre glass.

Rarely. We develop visual concepts through collage, then work directly with the material — feeling its form and finding the right shape through the making process itself.

Nearly every piece of Gleichenia jewelry is made individually by hand. Small air bubbles inside the glass, subtle shifts in color density, and slight surface variations are natural characteristics of the making process. Even pieces from the same collection differ from one another — each has its own expression.

Three main collections are available through our online shop:
CAIRN — Named after the stone trail markers found on mountains and rivers. Multi-faceted pate de verre glass pendants connected by silver rings, available on silver chain or silk cord.
INWATER — Inspired by the gentle fluctuations of water. Rings and earrings in devitrified glass with silver, known for a distinctive bubble-like translucency.
HENGE — From the Old English word meaning "to hang." Minimal pendants where a single pate de verre glass element is suspended from a slim silver pipe.
Additional collections and one-off pieces are shown at exhibitions and pop-up events.

Prices range from 14,300 JPY (tax included). All prices are listed in Japanese yen on the online shop.

Yes. Because each piece is one of a kind, the photo on the product page shows the exact item that will be shipped. However, glass can appear slightly different depending on lighting and background — transparency and color may look warmer or cooler in different conditions.

Some collections and one-off pieces are only available at exhibitions and pop-up events. The items shown vary by event. Check the journal or Instagram (@gleichenia_jewellery) for the latest.

Glass: Avoid impact and sudden temperature changes. Wipe gently with a soft cloth and store away from direct sunlight.
Silver: Minimize contact with moisture, sweat, cosmetics, and perfume. Wipe with a soft cloth after wearing and store away from direct sunlight. A silver polishing cloth will restore shine over time.

Our jewelry uses a high-purity silver alloy, but individual sensitivity varies. Please check the material details on each product page and consult a medical professional if unsure. Contact us through the inquiry form with any questions.

In most cases, yes. Repairs typically take 2–3 months. Glass pieces may not return to their original appearance after repair, as the material behaves differently each time it is reworked. Please contact us through the inquiry form for details.

Through our online shop at shop.gleichenia.com, and at two physical stockists in Japan:

• MYNATE (Yokohama Museum of Art museum shop), Yokohama
• ideot, Aoyama, Tokyo
  We also sell at exhibitions and pop-up events throughout the year.

International shipping is not currently available. The online shop ships within Japan only. For international inquiries, please contact us through the inquiry form — we may be able to accommodate special requests on a case-by-case basis.

The online shop accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.

A flat rate of 770 JPY (tax included) for domestic shipping within Japan.

Gift wrapping is not currently available. We will announce when the service resumes.

Depending on the request, this may be possible. Please contact us through the inquiry form with details.

We do not have a permanent retail location. We hold exhibitions and pop-up events throughout the year at galleries and other venues across Japan. Check the journal or Instagram (@gleichenia_jewellery) for upcoming events.

Exhibition and pop-up schedules are updated on the journal and announced on Instagram.

Yes. Exhibitions and pop-up events are opportunities to see work in person and purchase on the spot. Some pieces shown at events are not available through the online shop.

Yes, press inquiries are welcome. Please contact us through the inquiry form with details about the publication and feature.

Yes, we are open to stockist inquiries. Please contact us through the inquiry form.

We typically respond within 2–3 business days. Replies may take longer over weekends and Japanese national holidays.