Ruth initially completed a degree in languages and her jewellery career started in 1974 when she joined ‘Fingers’. ‘Fingers’ has become synonymous in Auckland with innovation in the development of an indigenous style of contemporary NZ Jewellery. Her inspiration is from the Titirangi landscape where she lives and the natural world. She prefers using simple techniques and fabrication is her main construction technique. She mounts titanium, niobium or shell in silver. Colours are obtained from anodising, and then she uses various methods of grinding, punching or painting techniques to create a surface texture.