The Pragnell Spider Brooch
Character in Motion
Commissioned for Tom Holland's appearance at the London premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the Pragnell Spider Brooch is a one-of-a-kind Masterpiece, entirely handcrafted in Great Britain. Bringing together the creativity of three generations of the Pragnell family, rare natural gemstones and technical innovation, it explores transformation, resilience and hidden potential through exceptional British craftsmanship.
A Family Affair
Three Generations, One Design
Conceived by Charlie Pragnell, the Spider Brooch evolved through a collaboration across three generations of the Pragnell family.
Its instigator was a vintage spider brooch belonging to Charlie’s mother, Jane Pragnell. Worn high on her shoulder, as though poised in motion, it inspired the proportions, balance and position of the finished piece, reimagining a historic jewel through a contemporary lens.
Charlie’s son, Harry Pragnell, then developed the concept further, producing a sketch that introduced the articulated leg construction. Drawing his inspiration from the retractable mechanical limbs of Spider-Man’s Iron Spider armour, each intricate hinge-joint creates the illusion of movement, giving the spider a lifelike presence that balances mechanical ingenuity with the elegance of its natural anatomy.
Handcrafted in Great Britain
The Pursuit of Perfection
Realised by Pragnell Director Tom Crookenden, Charlie’s cousin, and handcrafted within the Pragnell workshops, the Spider Brooch took over 350 hours of CAD design and traditional jewellery craft to bring to life.
Every component was individually modelled, assembled, finished and refined by hand. Throughout its creation, Charlie personally reviewed each stage and, during the final evaluation, made the decision to dismantle and remake elements of the brooch as it had not yet achieved its full potential.
For Pragnell, craftsmanship is never measured by hours alone. It is defined by the willingness to begin again in pursuit of perfection. The finished brooch reflects this philosophy, with polished, satin and blackened finishes blending insect and machine within a work of high jewellery.
Marvel’s Stones
A Kaleidoscope of Colour
Created for Tom Holland’s return as Peter Parker in Brand New Day, each gemstone was chosen to carry part of the Spider-Man story.
An exceptionally rare Fancy Vivid Blue-Green diamond is set into the spider’s head. Its colour created naturally by radiation deep within the Earth millions of years ago, echoing the radioactive bite that transformed Peter Parker. Its abdomen is formed from a 5.114ct untreated Australian black opal from Lightning Ridge, alive with flashes of blue, green, crimson and orange that evoke the energy of the Marvel universe.
Four diamond-set eyes, kite-shaped ruby fangs and diamond-set legs complete the design, bringing danger, movement and lifelike character. The Pragnell Spider reimagines an iconic symbol through the language of men’s high jewellery.
“The Pragnell Spider Brooch displays traditional British craftsmanship, original human design and the rarest of nature’s gems. The project was particularly special because it brought together three generations of our family, each contributing to the design and development of the finished piece. It was a wonderful commission from Tom Holland, a good friend and a true modern-day British hero. He is definitely one of the good guys.”
- Charlie Pragnell -
Bespoke Jewellery Inspired by Your Story
The Pragnell Spider Brooch demonstrates what can be achieved when original design, exceptional gemstones and world-class craftsmanship come together around a unique story. While this creation was commissioned for Tom Holland, Pragnell's workshops regularly collaborate with clients to create bespoke jewellery inspired by their own personal milestones, passions and ideas.
From sourcing rare natural gemstones to developing entirely original designs, our designers and craftspeople guide clients through every stage of the journey, creating one-of-a-kind pieces to be treasured for generations. Whether reimagining an existing jewel or bringing a completely new concept to life, every commission reflects our commitment to exceptional British craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the answers to our most commonly asked questions. Should you want to find out more please feel free to Contact Us us and begin your Pragnell experience.
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