Inside the Mind of a LUGDUN Artisan: What Inspires Our Most Iconic Pieces
- Analytics 1
- Sep 16, 2025
- 5 min read
There is something unforgettable about a handcrafted object that feels alive. The kind of piece where every corner, every stone, every hinge seems to carry its own quiet story. That was the feeling that first sparked the idea behind LUGDUN ARTISANS, long before the first ring was cast or the first sterling silver cross necklace was worn.
It happened the moment Marcos Miranda saw an antique jeweled silver clock, handcrafted in a way that stopped him in his tracks. He wasn’t a jeweler then, not even close. But something shifted. He didn’t know it yet, but the seed of the brand had been planted.
That same spark would turn into fire years later.
A Childhood in Galicia, A Workshop in New York
La Guardia is a small village in Galicia, Spain, where Marcos grew up surrounded by Celtic legends and ancient ruins. Creativity was more than a pastime; it was interspersed in family life. His grandfather was an inventor. His father played the bass and his mother was a painter & sculptor. Even his siblings mastered music. By age seven, Marcos was playing drums as an outlet for his expression.
Everything changed with the move to New York. Transition into New York was fast, loud, chaotic, and gritty; somehow, the city felt right.
That contrast, old-world heritage meeting urban grit, became the backbone of the LUGDUN ARTISANS design.
When people say our jewelry is rebellious but refined, that’s where it comes from. The rough textures, the bold silhouettes, the sense that every piece carries history while standing strong in the now.
How a Ring Started It All
What really kicked things off wasn’t a grand business plan; it was love.
Marcos wanted to make a custom engagement ring. No background in metalwork, no formal training, just the drive to create something real, by hand. He didn’t take a class. He picked up tools and figured it out. A blank of wood and an A-frame turned into a workbench. The city outside faded into the sound of files and flames.
That ring opened the door to a new kind of life, one where silver, wax, and fire could become expressions of emotion, history, even rebellion. And that’s how LUGDUN ARTISANS came to be: one bold step, one honest creation at a time.
The Artisan’s Way
Unlike most modern jewelers, Marcos never turned to CAD or computer modeling. His process is entirely analog. He sketches by hand, sometimes roughly, then moves straight to the wax. From there, he carves, casts, and refines using the ancient lost wax method.
That means no two pieces are ever exactly alike. In fact, you can sometimes find the actual fingerprint of the artisan embedded in the finished piece. That’s not a mistake. That’s the point.
At LUGDUN ARTISANS, we believe jewelry should feel alive.
Our sterling silver cross necklace, for example, doesn’t just symbolize faith; it holds the raw texture of the tools that shaped it. You can feel the craftsmanship. See the file marks. It’s wearable history, not factory-made fashion.
Emotion, Not Perfection
Some of the most iconic LUGDUN ARTISANS pieces didn’t come from joyful moments. They came from heartbreak, frustration, even loss.
Marcos says it himself: “Some of my best pieces were made in my worst moments.”
For him, jewelry goes beyond aesthetics; it represents authenticity. The works he makes aren’t intended to coordinate with clothing. They are designed to correspond to an emotion.
That's why the parts communicate. Whether it’s a striking skull ring, a substantial chain, or one of our men’s larimar jewelry rings, the intention isn’t flawlessness; it’s impact. The narrative. The spirit.
The Rise of the Unpolished
In a world chasing polished perfection, LUGDUN ARTISANS chose character.
When you pick up one of our rings, it doesn’t feel light or hollow. That’s because it’s not. If it looks heavy, it is heavy. We use real sterling silver .925). We forge, we file, we finish by hand.
And when we say handmade, we mean it. Every edge. Every finish. Every rough texture. Everything is accomplished by individuals, not by machines.
It’s that authenticity that draws in musicians, bikers, tattoo artists, and anyone who sees themselves as an individual, not a trend follower. Our jewelry isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who want to wear something that means something.
Symbols That Carry Weight
Every piece has a reason for existing. Our logo, for example, blends two ideas: “Lugh,” the Celtic god of craftsmanship, and “dun,” meaning a fortress or stronghold. The hammer and anvil in the logo? They’re more than branding. They’re a promise.
A promise that what we make will be strong. Purposeful. Honest.
That’s the same essence motivating our men’s larimar jewelry rings. Larimar is an uncommon gemstone, exclusively located in the Dominican Republic. Most jewelers use it delicately. We do the opposite. We wrap it in thick, hand-finished silver. We give it a presence that can hold its own, just like the people who wear it.
From the Ground Up
Marcos built his first studio with next to nothing. The workspace was a folding table. The ceiling leaked. He’d solder the kitchen stove, cast in the backyard. There were no shortcuts. No funding. Just grit.
To this day, that perspective remains the same. Regardless of whether the piece is meant for a rock star or a common rebel, it receives identical meticulous care. Same fire. Same hands. Same weight.
That’s why LUGDUN ARTISANS stands out.
Because this isn’t jewelry made to impress, this is jewelry made to express.
Hand-Forged Icons from the LUGDUN ARTISANS Workshop
Every LUGDUN ARTISANS piece starts with fire, a story, and a refusal to follow the rules. Some designs have become icons, bold symbols of everything we believe in.
This solid sterling silver cross necklace is a striking representation of craftsmanship and faith. Made of .925 sterling silver with an aged, rough surface.
Comes with a black leather strap or a sterling silver chain of your choosing
Designed to feel weighty, raw, and unmistakably real
This is more than a necklace. It’s a piece that speaks.
A daring combination of natural beauty and rough craftsmanship.
Made by hand from solid.925 sterling silver with an aged, rustic appearance
Features a square-cut Larimar stone, each unique with natural veining
Available in wrist sizes 6 1/8” to 9” (Please refer to our size chart for reference)
This bracelet is a declaration of style and authenticity rather than just a simple accessory.
A striking ring that balances raw strength with elegant design.
Handcrafted in solid .925 sterling silver with a bold, rustic finish
Features a uniquely shaped stone framed in silver; each stone is one-of-a-kind
Available in multiple sizes to fit perfectly
This ring is not just jewelry; it’s a statement of individuality and craftsmanship.
Final Thoughts
When you wear a piece from LUGDUN ARTISANS, you’re not wearing mass-produced silver. You’re wearing a story. You’re wearing the fingerprints of a craftsman. The echoes of an old-world village and the noise of a New York street. You’re wearing rebellion, resilience, and realness.
Whether it’s a sterling silver cross necklace passed down as a symbol of faith, or one of our men’s larimar jewelry rings worn as a badge of individuality, our pieces are built to last. Not just physically, but emotionally.
They are made to carry your story as much as ours.
So if you’ve ever wondered what inspires our most iconic pieces, the answer is simple:
Life. All of it.
