Ambra Gambale

Ambra Gambale is a South African and Italian artist and fine jewelry designer. Her Skullchemy range of memento mori artworks created from exotic animal skulls, metals & precious stones have been exhibited and sold in London, Notting Hill & Dover Street, Mayfair. Her fine jewellery range is handmade and centred on the use of gold, ebony and diamonds. Her collectors include Pulitzer Prize winner Lauren Beukes.

Quotes

• “Diamonds are so polished and precious and usually associated with jewellery. When they are set against the unevenness of the bone, it’s quite interesting,”
• “I’m challenging the conventional thought of an African curio,”
  • Nechama Brodie, "Things of beauty: Ambra Gambale’s Skullchemy range," Mail & Guardian,. Retrieved 23 March 2025.

Quotes About Her

• Her works are designed for the high end luxury market, but also have a playful and girly charm.
  • "Come Swipe With Me^{[permanent dead link]}," Play Magazine - South Africa, Retrieved 22 March 2025.
• Her 2013 collection "Diamond Dreaming" included bracelets, necklaces and pendants inspired by the Islamic Hamsa motif as well as keys, crowns and peace signs in 9ct and 18ct white, yellow and rose gold.
  • "Sex and the City 2 Ambra Gambale". Top Billing. June 2010 – via youtube.com.
• Her range of Skullchmey exotic animal skulls of crocodile, baboon, caracul are dipped in liquid precious metals in a technique she has developed herself. Her metal embalming process leaves the exotic animal skulls in an antiqued patina finish that is already being copied by others.
  • Nechama Brodie, "Things of beauty: Ambra Gambale’s Skullchemy range," Mail & Guardian, 24 May 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2025.