The catalogue for jeweler Elfrun Lach's exhibition at Pieces of Eight gives us some clue to the title Correlation'. There are connections to be made everywhere. Not just to the word play on coral , a source of inspiration and material for Lach, but also in the juxtaposition between the objects and both historical and natural references.

We see the infant Jesus on Mary's knee in a 15th century painting by Piero della Francesca. Around His neck a chain of scarlet beads is punctuated by blood red coral. A full page is devoted to the gnarled bark of a tree, its sister image a brooch created from a small twig bound with red cotton thread.

What are we to make of all these signifiers? Do we read the work as a narrative? It is only jewelry after all. These days you can remove the only . In the current craft climate jewelers rule supreme as the object makers of the day. They can load their work not just with statements but stories as complex as the work itself. Lach is not afraid of sophistication. She fully embraces the historical in her very contemporary pieces. She reveals her fine art background here - wanting a context for the work.

This is always a fine thing in an exhibition context. We want so much more than small price tags and nice lighting. Lach does not ignore wearability. All the pieces respond well to the body. A bangle constructed from coral/leaflike leather shapes could be production work. A set of coral branch earrings, finely beaded and understated may find there way home to this reviewer's top drawer.

There are some real show stoppers among the 25 pieces on display. 'Broome ' is a single strand necklace constructed from white porcelain and coral and is fit for an underwater queen. There is a red version too that is a real statement piece. The two necklaces stand as punctuation for the show - both are flanked by more challenging work. 'Made in Germany ' is a shorter neckpiece constructed from curved sections of white recycled plastic.

But for me the really finest work in the show is where Lach allows herself to completely strip back the preciousness. The final piece 'Corallium Pentop' a simple sterling silver chain 'studded' with common plastic red pen lids. Clearly Lach has begun to see coral everywhere. I was struck by its simplicity, and yes its beauty even. It was playful, irreverent even amongst the finer pieces.

Pieces of Eight is the latest in a cluster of contemporary jewelry galleries in Melbourne . It is a town that has embraced the art of gold and silversmithing beyond the humble wedding band and into the realm of the conceptual. The Cicely and Colin Rigg Design Award at the National Gallery of Victoria has turned its gaze to this craft exclusively this year, E.G Etal gallery opened their second retail space, and craft stalwarts Makers Mark opened a new store devoted exclusively to jewelry.

Pieces of Eight has different energy to all these places as the studios are almost on view from the gallery floor. Not a factory in the sense that work is being churned out, but a place of ideas, conversation and most interestingly process.

Director Melanie Katsalidis is keen to have a strong exhibition program, enriching each show with a comprehensive catalogue. The studio makers at the rear of the space extend their work outwards to the gallery. You know instantly that it is a place where things are made, where objects come to life.

Lach is an interesting case in point. Originally trained as painter she has a keen eye for the natural object - twigs, coral; the natural material - cotton, silver, glass, felt; and most interestingly the unnatural object - polypropylene and plastics. Her bead encrusted twigs are reminiscent of the encapsulated objects of sculptor Louise Weaver. Even when covering an object Lach wants the spirit of that object to still be tangible.

The students of Robert Baines, the captain steering the RMIT ship, always seem to graduate with very clear intent. Their finishes are always flawless, they produce bodies of work that have a sense of completion. That is all well and good, but what next?

I imagine it must be a challenge to push beyond that final year's work. Clearly Lach has done this, and in such a small amount of time. The dust has barely settled on her graduate show, she is already embarking on a Masters degree and has somehow delivered an engaging and well resolved body of work.

In some respect the Twig brooches last seen in her graduate show seem a little out of place amongst the finer work. Lach has finessed her ideas of precious/non precious and historical context at a rapid rate. It's good to see she graduated with her own voice clear in her head.

To see preciousness in the mundane is a gift for the object maker. Marry fine craftsmanship with unexpected material and it gets really exciting, for jeweler and collector alike.