opale - Page 2

Gurhan, fable with 24 carat

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A 24-carat gold and hand-crafted worked by the jewelry designer Gurhan.

As in fairy tales, there is a humble artisan who lives in a distant country, Istanbul. And there’s a romantic woman who comes yet to farther, from Australia. The two fall in love and after a few months is born a jewelery. The story started in this way. And now the jewels from the city of Turkey are moved to the lobes, fingers and neck of an impressive array of celebrity, from actresses like Angelina Jolie to public figures like Hillary Clinton. It is the story of Gurhan, who calls himself a “citizen of the world, Renaissance thinker, inquisitive explorer, fashionista, fond of rock music, traveler, photographer, political junkie, a tech geek, an inventor, a theoretical mathematician, and a great cook ».

Although modesty is probably not among the virtues of the designer, you have to admit that with his jewels he knows what he does.

Orecchini in argento sterling stratificato con oro 24 carati e pietre di quarzo druzy
Orecchini in argento sterling stratificato con oro 24 carati e pietre di quarzo druzy

The strange thing is that the passion for jewelry Gurhan has discovered when he was 40, after the he worked as disc jockey and managed bars and restaurants. But then he went to Switzerland to study horology. Then, he says, everything changed the day he met a pure gold leaf. And the 24-carat gold (except the closures, which are at 22 carats) in its collections is beaten with the hammer, and leaves the classic signs on the metal. Since then he designs jewelry in a continuous stream. Today its boutique more popular is the one that has opened in New York. Lavinia Andorno

Collana in oro 24 carati con acquamarina, calcedonio, pietra luna
Collana in oro 24 carati con acquamarina, calcedonio, pietra luna
Orecchini pendenti in oro 24 carati, opali e topazi
Bracciale in oro 24 carati con perline jet
Orecchini pendenti in oro 24 carati, opali e topazi
Orecchini pendenti in oro 24 carati, opali e topazi
Orecchini pendenti con diamanti
Orecchini pendenti con diamanti
Orecchini di Gurhan
Orecchini di Gurhan
Orecchini a doppia goccia Galapagos in argento sterling stratificato con oro 24 carati, e ametiste
Orecchini a doppia goccia Galapagos in argento sterling stratificato con oro 24 carati, e ametiste







The galaxies of Bibi van der Velden

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According to quantum mechanics, the incredibly small things (the elementary particles that make up everyday reality) have some analogies with the incredibly large, such as the behavior of black holes in space. And, again by analogy, Bibi van der Velden connects the distant galaxies of space with the extremely ancient and terrestrial, like the ivory of the mammoths. The result is the Galaxy collection, where planets, stars and zodiac rotate together in a creative whirlwind.

Anello in oro giallo 18 carati, zanna di mammut, diamanti bianchi, opale, zaffiri blu
Anello in oro giallo 18 carati, zanna di mammut, diamanti bianchi, opale, zaffiri blu

The collection, like other by Dutch designer, is suspended between past and future. For example, it includes a ring designed like a globe created from a 60,000-year-old mammoth tusk, which evokes a planet that rotates on its axis. The sphere is suspended by motifs with stars and is set with opals, blue sapphires and white diamonds, hanging on an 18-karat yellow gold stem.
Anello in oro rosa 18 carati, oro giallo, opale, diamanti bianchi, zaffiri blu, tsavoriti, perla di Tahiti
Anello in oro rosa 18 carati, oro giallo, opale, diamanti bianchi, zaffiri blu, tsavoriti, perla di Tahiti

For another ring, the designer even created a miniature universe, with a boulder opal in the center chosen specifically for its unique colors and inclusions, which evokes the appearance of a swirling galaxy. Around the opal are small planets, represented by Tahitian pearls: this one can rotate in its gold setting. The ring is designed in 18-carat pink and yellow gold and set with white diamonds, golden stars, blue sapphires and green tsavorites. In addition, the exact color of the opal stone can also be customized to order.
Orecchini Galaxy in oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti brown, opale, zaffiri blu, tsavorite e perla di Tahiti
Orecchini Galaxy in oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti brown, opale, zaffiri blu, tsavorite e perla di Tahiti

Anello in oro giallo 18 carati, opale, diamanti bianchi, opale, zaffiri blu, zanna di mammut
Anello in oro giallo 18 carati, opale, diamanti bianchi, opale, zaffiri blu, zanna di mammut
Orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti bianchi, -opale e perla di Tahiti
Orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti bianchi, -opale e perla di Tahiti
Collana in oro rosa 18 carati e oro giallo 18 carati, zaffiri blu, opale e perle
Collana in oro rosa 18 carati e oro giallo 18 carati, zaffiri blu, opale e perle

Supermoon: oro giallo 18 carati, zanna di mammut, zaffiri rosa, ametista, Opali, diamanti, perla
Supermoon: oro giallo 18 carati, zanna di mammut, zaffiri rosa, ametista, Opali, diamanti, perla







The Greek-American jewels of Christina Alexiou




From Athens to New York, from psychology to jewelry: Christina Alexiou is a designer who decided to combine Plato with Geronimo, and she has come a long way. She combines, in fact, some aspects of the aesthetics of her native country with that of the Native Americans. On the other hand, she explains, Greece has always been a place where cultures have crossed.

Anello in oro 18 carati e tormalina
Anello in oro 18 carati e tormalina

The story of Christina Alexiou is unusual: she graduated in psychology, then obtained a Masters in Art Direction from New York University. She moved to live in New York in the 1980s. And here she dealt with night clubs and fashion magazines. With her husband she then decided to replicate the business in Athens as well as working as a journalist for some Greek fashion magazines. And the jewels?
Cuore intagliato in tormalina rosa-verde
Cuore intagliato in tormalina rosa-verde

They came later as a profession, but now they constitute the passion and occupation of the designer. Although she says she started getting passionate when she was 14, especially for Native American ethnic jewelry. Pink opals are carved in the shape of lips for the bracelets, tourmalines take the shape of hearts to hang on thin gold chains, rings reveal baroque curves in transparency.

Cuore intagliato in tormalina rosa-verde
Cuore intagliato in tormalina rosa-verde

Sono arrivati dopo come professione, ma ora costituiscono la passione e l’occupazione della designer. Anche se lei racconta di aver iniziato ad appassionarsi quando aveva 14 anni, in particolare per i gioielli etnici dei nativi americani. Opali rosa sono intagliati a forma di labbra per i bracciali, tormaline assumono la forma di cuori da appendere a sottili catene d’oro, anelli lasciano intravedere curve barocche in trasparenza.

Anello in oro giallo con smeraldi e diamanti
Anello in oro giallo con smeraldi e diamanti
Anello con tormalina verde a tagliata a piramide
Anello con tormalina verde a tagliata a piramide
Anello con tormalina rosa e diamanti
Anello con tormalina rosa e diamanti
Bracciale in oro giallo e opale rosa
Bracciale in oro giallo e opale rosa
Bracciale in oro giallo
Bracciale in oro giallo

Anello in oro giallo comn tormalina e acquamarina taglio marquise
Anello in oro giallo comn tormalina e acquamarina taglio marquise







Real and false stones, how to recognize them





How to recognize a real stone from a fake? Some tricks are often used for jewels and can deceive those who are not experts. Here’s what to check ♦ ︎

Beware of false stones. But also to those who are half-faked. Perhaps you do not know that the ways to simulate precious stones on jewels are many. Here are some aspects you need to consider.

Analisi di un diamante
Analisi di un diamante

False stones. Plastic and glass are materials often used to simulate precious stones. Technology today allows you to create something in the laboratory that is not distinguishable from stones such as rubies or fossil resins such as amber. Naturally, an expert jeweler or a specialized laboratory can identify whether they are authentic stones or imitations. If you have doubts, ask for an expert advice.

Orecchini oro e ambra
Orecchini in oro e ambra

Artificial stones. Cubic zirconia and synthetic moissanite (there is also the natural one, rather rare) are two of the stones created in the laboratory and which have characteristics similar to authentic gems, such as diamonds. Similar, but not the same. Of course, if you want to sell them, they have a very low value, but at the time of purchase, only a gemologist can distinguish a cubic zirconia, often passed through a zircon, which is instead a natural stone. How to be sure not to be cheated? Simple: a diamond, even a small one, always has a certificate attesting to its characteristics such as transparency, color, clarity and, of course, the carats. Cubic zirconia, no.

Anello con cubic zirconia
Anello con cubic zirconia

Composite stones. One of the trends among jewelers is the proposal to superimpose different stones or materials. It is a way to reduce costs: it consists of a kind of sandwich of different stones: which is more valuable is above, the one that serves to create thickness is below. The goal is to make the stones used on the surface appear larger, adding an imitation or a cheap gem, perhaps in the lower part of the stone, hidden by the setting. This system is less common for transparent stones, while it is more easily used in opaque ones, such as opals or turquoise. Sometimes the authentic stone is just a small layer that is glued onto a less valuable mineral. Another system, on the other hand, concerns transparent stones. To obtain an interesting shade, one expedient is to glue two or three different stones with a special invisible adhesive, so as to make them look like one and transform them into a “precious” stone with a fascinating nuance. The best brands do not hide this choice. But how to avoid cheating? In addition to relying on a brand that enjoys your trust, it is good to carefully observe, perhaps with a lens, the processing of the jewel.

Il diamante composito naturale-artificiale
Il diamante composito naturale-artificiale

Fantasy stones. Another idea of those who do not want to be transparent with those who buy jewelry is to change the name of the stones. If you read that a ring has an “oriental emerald”, for example, know that it is a green sapphire, which is less valuable. Other examples: an “American ruby” is actually a garnet, which is worth much, much less. And the “Australian jade”? It is simple treated quartz. Conclusion: when you read slightly exotic names of stones, which you have never heard, check on Google. Or on Gioiellis.com, of course.

Andreoli, anello con opale rosa
Andreoli, anello con opale (vero) rosa

Reconstituted stones. There are stones that are stabilized or rebuilt, as often happens in turquoise. Stabilization consists in subjecting the stone to a pressure to make it more compact and eliminate the chalky consistency. Furthermore, often turquoise or other soft stones are reconstituted by mixing powder with a binder. In short, they are a kind of pasta, to which dye is often added, to make the color more vivid.

Anello con la cosiddetta giada australiana
Anello con la cosiddetta giada australiana

How to defend yourself. It is not easy to recognize these tricks. A very low price is already an indication that something is wrong: no one will give you for less money a precious stone and the probability that a jeweler offers substantial discounts on an emerald, diamond or ruby ​​is as rare as water in the desert. The certificates, for very expensive stones, are a good start to avoid the purchase of fakes. The opinion of a jeweler who can guarantee the authenticity of a jewel is another element to keep in mind. Finally, greater security can it guaranteed by a expert gemologist. Giulia Netrese



Anello con turchese: solo 6,99 euro da Claire's
Anello con turchese: solo 6,99 euro da Claire’s
Diamante rosa sotto la lente del gemmologo
Diamante rosa sotto la lente del gemmologo







The long way of Nina Nguyen

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Nina Nguyen, from Vietnam to America to bring its eco-friendly and ethically crafted handmade jewelry.
From the Vietnam War to the mountains of Colorado. From iridescent colors of Mekong, to the iridescent colors of opals: Nina Nguyen began his life along a climbing road. But then he found a balance with jewelry design. Fled with her mother and brothers in the Philippines, Nina was able to reach the United States and to study. After working for the world of finance, Nina Nguyen began his activities in the jewelry after returning from a ten-week journey through India. The precious stones and gold, much appreciated by the Indians, were impressive to her. Everything simple? No, because she has decided to produce jewelry that are in balance with nature and the eco system. Jewellery sustainable, eco-friendly and ethically crafted handmade, with the help of part of the family remained in Vietnam.

Bracciale con tormaline
Bracciale con tormaline

Her jewels are made with untreated gemstones, recycled metals, handwork, no exploitation of labor. She works in Florida, where he resides, and Denver, where the jewelry are made by a women’s cooperative. Lavinia Andorno

Orecchini in argento brunito con pietra luna
Orecchini in argento brunito con pietra luna
Orecchini in oro riciclato, pietra luna e opale
Orecchini in oro riciclato, pietra luna e opale
Orecchini in argento brunito con acquamarina
Orecchini in argento brunito con acquamarina
Orecchini in oro giallo e acquamarina
Orecchini in oro giallo e acquamarina
Orecchini in oro giallo e smeraldi
Orecchini in oro giallo e smeraldi

Orecchini in oro giallo, diamanti e rubini
Orecchini in oro giallo, diamanti e rubini







Federica Rettore at Orticola





The Orticola collection by Federica Rettore, with a pair of earrings on the podium of the Couture Design Awards ♦

Orticola is the name of an exhibition-market organized in spring in the most central gardens of Milan. It is an appointment for lovers of flowers and gardening, but also a moment of social life for the upper class of the Lombard city. And Federica Rettore was born and works in Milan, even though she has been touring the world with her jewelry collections for a long time. What is link among gardening and the designer? Simple: his latest collection is called Orticola. An idea that must have inspired the jewelery maker a lot, since a pair of earrings from the Orticola collection ended up on the podium (second place) in the Best in Innovative category at the Couture Design Awards.

Federica Rettore, secondo posto nella categoria Best in Innovative ai Couture Design Awards 2019. Orecchini con perle naturali e diamanti
Federica Rettore, secondo posto nella categoria Best in Innovative ai Couture Design Awards 2019. Orecchini con perle naturali e diamanti

The beauty of the collection, however, is that it does not aim to reproduce the plants as if the jewels were small sculptures. Unlike other colleagues who copy leaves and flowers using gold and precious stones, Federica Rettore decided to create jewelry as if they were an alien botanic. Leaves, but with opals and gold veins that are not a simple photograph of nature, but an original interpretation. The idea appealed to Couture, in fact, and probably will be successful even among those who attend Orticola.





Collezione Orticola, pendente in oro rosa con opale
Collezione Orticola, pendente in oro rosa con opale

Orecchini della collezione Orticola
Orecchini della collezione Orticola

Pendente con opale
Pendente con opale

Afrodite, bracciale in oro 18 carati, diamante blu taglio brillante, zaffiro, acquamarina, tanzanite
Afrodite, bracciale in oro 18 carati, diamante blu taglio brillante, zaffiro, acquamarina, tanzanite

Anello con opale
Anello con opale

Federica Rettore. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Federica Rettore. Copyright: gioiellis.com







Nina Runsdorf in color

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The new colorful jewels by Nina Runsdorf, a refined designer from New York and a citizen of the world ♦ ︎

A new road, a revision or simply the desire to change something. All jewelers have their own style, a way of interpreting their creations. But sometimes they look at their work with another eye. And that’s when they decide to make changes. Nina Runsdorf, for example, has for years been famous for her diamond jewelry, perhaps with unusual cuts. Now, however, the designer has decided to color her life and jewelry collections with gems like emeralds, opals, spessartite, sapphires, topaz and iolite. New colors, new jewels, but without giving up their flip rings, rings with pendant that have always been the iconic jewel of the designer.

Flip ring in oro rosa, opale, diamanti
Flip ring in oro rosa, opale, diamanti

Born and raised in New York, Nina Runsdorf launched her first collection in 2005, but her first jewelry line designed it at the age of 12. Since then she has never stopped, even if the first steps were in the fashion world. In 2009, during a trip to India, she discovered colored diamonds and antique cuts. She opened a showroom on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but she distributes her jewels in the rest of the world via a network of trusted retailers, or online. Her turning point as a designer seems to have been much appreciated. Lavinia Andorno





Orecchini in oro giallo, diamanti fancy yellow, diamanti bianchi
Orecchini in oro giallo, diamanti fancy yellow, diamanti bianchi

Flip ring in oro rodiato con topazio, granato, onice
Flip ring in oro rodiato con topazio, granato, onice
Nina Runsdorf fotograta da Samantha Nandez (da Facebook)
Nina Runsdorf fotograta da Samantha Nandez (da Facebook)
Orecchini in oro rosa e zaffiri rosa
Orecchini in oro rosa e zaffiri rosa
Orecchini con opali di fuoco
Orecchini con opali di fuoco
Orecchini con smeraldi
Orecchini con smeraldi

Flip ring in oro-bianco 18 carati, smeraldo, pavé di tsavoriti
Flip ring in oro-bianco 18 carati, smeraldo, pavé di tsavoriti







David Morris, the new high jewelery

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The new high-end jewelery signed by the London Maison David Morris ♦ ︎

Start from nothing and become a jeweler of kings and queens. It is the story of David Morris, who recently presented his new high jewelery pieces in Paris. In the French capital where, among other things, he also opened a boutique in Rue Saint Honoré.

Among the great jewels shown during the week of haute couture, there are earrings with opals and tourmalines, and bracelets with the rare conch (pronounced konk) pearl.

David Morris, conch pearl diamond bracelet
David Morris, conch pearl diamond bracelet

Jewels to admire before being worn. And who knows if any of these jewels will end up in the hands of some owner with blazon. David Morris, who founded his own Maison in 1962, in fact, produced a series of famous pieces, including the crown of Miss World, jewels for James Bond films and, above all, several pieces commissioned by royal families.

White Diamond Illusion Necklace, indossata da By Bebe Rexha
White Diamond Illusion Necklace, indossata da By Bebe Rexha

A reputation that David Morris obtained starting out as an apprentice at the age of 15, after having just graduated as a goldsmith at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. Now the Maison is directed by her son Jeremy, who instead studied fine arts in London and followed five years of apprenticeship with jewelers of Place Vendôme and a diamond supplier from Antwerp. Jeremy Morris also had the task of creating jewelery for a series of celebrities, from designer Gianni Versace, to Barbra Streisand, Keira Knightley, Oprah Winfrey, Yasmin Le Bon, Catherine Deneuve, Kate Winslet, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Adele. Margherita Donato





Anello con diamanti e tormaline Paraiba
Anello con diamanti e tormaline Paraiba

Orecchini con diamanti bianchi e rosa
Orecchini con diamanti bianchi e rosa
Orecchini Neptune con opali neri, diamanti, zaffiri
Orecchini Neptune con opali neri, diamanti, zaffiri
Orecchini con opali neri, diamanti, tormaline
Orecchini con opali neri, diamanti, tormaline

David Morris, anello con diamante ovale di 31,82 carati e diamanti rosa
David Morris, anello con diamante ovale di 31,82 carati e diamanti rosa







Martin Katz plays online

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Martin Katz’s jewels: expensive celebrity hobbies also are sold online ♦ ︎

It is not the first time, and it will not be the last, that the big jewelry, the one with figures from at least five zeros, is sold online. Martin Katz, jeweler of Berverly Hills and stars like Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Gigi Hadid and Zoe Kravitz, is in fact not new to these experiments. And now a series of her jewels from 30,000 to 70,000 dollars are offered on the Net-a-Porter platform, after a show on Moda Operandi. At the bottom is not a great surprise, but it is indicative that now even the jewelers who boast a rich and famous customers use online sales and, above all, there are those who are willing to pay high figures with a click, perhaps from the smartphone.

Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, opale
Anello in oro bianco, diamanti, opale

Martin Katz’s jewels are all about luxury, using large, bright and vibrant colored stones. For example, great dull opals or hypnotic tourmalines. And they are also inspired by vintage pieces from the Art Deco period. Lavinia Andorno





Anello in oro con tanzanite ovale
Anello in oro con tanzanite ovale

Orecchini con tanzanite, platino, microset di zaffiri blu e diamanti
Orecchini con tanzanite, platino, microset di zaffiri blu e diamanti
Orecchini con spinello blu-viola e oro
Orecchini con spinello blu-viola e oro
Orecchini multigemma
Orecchini multigemma
Orecchini in platino, diamanti e tormalina paraiba
Orecchini in platino, diamanti e tormalina paraiba

Anello con tormalina cabochon su oro bianco, pavé di tormaline e diamanti
Anello con tormalina cabochon su oro bianco, pavé di tormaline e diamanti







Noor Fares Superlunary





The organic forms, between nature and laboratory, in the Superlunary collection by Noor Fares ♦ ︎

There are those who believe that the stones possess the power to project magical influences. Among those fascinated by this idea is Noor Fares, a Parisian designer of Lebanese origins. The curious aspect, however, is another: for the new Superlunary collection, Noor Fares has chosen to work with synthetic stones as well. Will the opals born in the laboratory have magical powers? Who knows. “In Superlunary, I work with natural materials and with those born in the laboratory, but essentially the healing properties of the stones are still there, because they concern the intention as much as the material”, argues the designer.
In any case, the collection has an original approach to jewelry. So much so that in order to create Superlunary, the designer turned to Flavie Audi, a specialist artist in glass working, her childhood friend. Together with her, Noor conceived the irregular shapes of the stones, which are inspired by those of the organic world, through 3D design. Synthetic opals, resin, rock crystal (natural) and gold are the main elements of Superlunary. “It was a challenge to work with organic forms, rather than rigid lines and geometries, and create organic fluidity in a stone,” explained Noor Fares. In any case, whether they are made of synthetic or natural stones, jewels have the undoubted advantage of originality. Giulia Netrese





Divina Cloud, pendente in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca e diamanti
Divina Cloud, pendente in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca e diamanti

Bracciale Cloud Torque in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca, con pavé di zaffiri, ametiste e diamanti
Bracciale Cloud Torque in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca, con pavé di zaffiri, ametiste e diamanti
Superlunary Divina Cloud, ciondolo in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca scolpito, pavé  con zaffiri, ametista e diamanti
Superlunary Divina Cloud, ciondolo in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca scolpito, pavé con zaffiri, ametista e diamanti
Superlunary
Superlunary
Orecchini in oro bianco con cristallo di rocca, ametiste scolpite, zaffiri
Orecchini in oro bianco con cristallo di rocca, ametiste scolpite, zaffiri
Ciondolo con opale sintetico
Ciondolo con opale sintetico
Noor Fares, collana Superlunary collection
Noor Fares, collana Superlunary collection
Bracciale in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca
Bracciale in oro bianco, cristallo di rocca, zaffiri

Ciondolo in oro bianco, amtiste, opale sintetico
Ciondolo in oro bianco, amtiste, opale sintetico







The mosaic of Sutra

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The Mosaic collection by Sutra: small stones compositions in blue or red shades ♦ ︎
A sentence is, after all, a mosaic of words. And Sutra is a Sanskrit word, the ancient language of India, which means “collection of sacred verses”, then a treasure translated into a composition of words. A concept as from the Mosaic collection by Sutra: the Indian Maison, based in Mumbai and Austin, Texas, offers jewelry that always has stones of great charm at its center. In the Mosaic collection, for example, can be opals the individual elements that make up a jewel. The collection plays on two shades: blue and red. As in the bracelet with 75 karats of opals, 7 karats of sapphires and 6 carats of diamonds mounted on 18-carat white gold. But not only: the earrings, for example, have a mosaic made of turquoise, emeralds and diamonds, always on white gold, as well as a bracelet. In the red-toned version, however, the jewels are composed of sapphires, coral and ruby, or white gold diamonds and rubies. Alessia Mongrando




sutra bracelet mosaic 1
Bracciale con opali, zaffiri e diamanti su oro bianco

Orecchini della collezione Mosaic in oro bianco e brunito, zaffiri, diamanti e smeraldi
Orecchini della collezione Mosaic in oro bianco e brunito, zaffiri, diamanti e smeraldi
Sutra, anello con rubini e diamanti su oro bianco
Sutra, anello con rubini e diamanti su oro bianco
Bracciale in oro bianco con turchesi, diamanti e smeraldi
Bracciale in oro bianco con turchesi, diamanti e smeraldi
Sutra, orecchini con rubini e diamanti su oro bianco
Sutra, orecchini con rubini e diamanti su oro bianco

Orecchini in oro bianco con turchesi, diamanti e smeraldi
Orecchini in oro bianco con turchesi, diamanti e smeraldi







Federica Rettore flourishes with Gorgonia

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The new Gorgonia collection by Federica Rettore presented at VicenzaOro January ♦ ︎
She returned to the Design Room at VicenzaOro January after having conquered Florida with a special sale from Marissa. Despite her young pretty look, Federica Rettore has crossed the milestone of the fourth century in jewelry design, a profession started in Milan and continued around the world. Always, however, with a logical thread that involves the use of surprising materials, such as the zebu horn and the atmospheres of the beloved Sardinia, which are transformed into a style that seems among the ethnic and the Nordic design. An unusual mix that earned her a place in the category of imaginative designers. In VicenzaOro Federica Rettore presented his latest works. The new collection is called Gorgonia, a marine organism similar to coral, which is also found in the waters of the beloved Sardinia. The jewels use boulder opals or rock crystal together with hand-blown steel, but also diamonds and gold.
Read also: Federica Rettore at Marissa
Also for this line of jewelry the bracelets are maxi, as well as the rings: it is one of the fixed points of Federica Rettore, who for her jewelry does not like the mini size. The jewels are handmade, with natural elements and, therefore, each piece has its own uniqueness. Giulia Netrese




Anello Bouquet, oro rosa 18 carati, zircone naturale della Malesia, diamanti a taglio naturale a taglio fantasia, brillante e antico
Anello Bouquet, oro rosa 18 carati, zircone naturale della Malesia,
diamanti a taglio naturale a taglio fantasia, brillante e antico

Pendente Borealis,  oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti a taglio brillante, quarzo ialino, agata rossa, madreperla, rodio nero
Pendente Borealis,
oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti a taglio brillante, quarzo ialino, agata rossa, madreperla, rodio nero
Bracciale con corno di zebu
Bracciale con corno di zebu
Collana in corno di zebu
Collana in corno di zebu
Collezione Gorgonia, bracciale in oro rosa 18 carati, diamante taglio brillante, quarzo milky e ialino, onice
Collezione Gorgonia, bracciale in oro rosa 18 carati, diamante taglio brillante, quarzo milky e ialino, onice
Federica Rettore. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Federica Rettore. Copyright: gioiellis.com
Orecchini Nodo d'amore, oro rosa 18 carati, tormalina verde, labradorite; diamanti
Orecchini Nodo d’amore, oro rosa 18 carati, tormalina verde, labradorite; diamanti
Pendente della collezione Gorgonia,  oro rosa 18kt, opale boulder nero, acciaio fiammato a mano
Pendente della collezione Gorgonia, oro rosa 18 carati, opale boulder nero, acciaio fiammato a mano

Spilla Smei d'amore, in oro rosa 18 carati, acciaio canna di fucile, diamante a taglio brillante, perla, zaffiro blu
Spilla Smei d’amore, in oro rosa 18 carati, acciaio canna di fucile, diamante a taglio brillante, perla, zaffiro blu







The second marine love of Daniela Villegas




The crabs seen by Daniela Villegas, the second love after the insects ♦
That Daniela Villegas is a lover of nature is known. But it is curious to observe how, within his observation of the natural world, there are aspects to which the Mexican-born designer based in Los Angeles is more interested. The most beloved world is, perhaps, that of insects. Big, small, grotesque if transformed into jewelry: beetles and relatives are among the subjects that have become more sources of inspiration. But another strand is that of the sea. And, in particular, to animals that most resemble insects: crabs. With menacing claws that show off large transparent gems, the crabs are interpreted by Daniela Villegas with colored stones, with strong colors, such as tourmalines and opals, next to gold and diamonds. They are above all rings and pendants, with a vaguely tropical flavor. On this page you can see some of the crabs that make up the designer’s collections. Giulia Netrese




Orecchini one-of-a-kind Cangrejitos, in oro con zaffiri, tsavorite e smeraldi
Orecchini one-of-a-kind Cangrejitos, in oro con zaffiri, tsavorite e smeraldi

Pendente Carcinus, oro giallo 18 carati, opale nero, acquamarina, zaffiri blu
Pendente Carcinus, oro giallo 18 carati, opale nero, acquamarina, zaffiri blu
Anello Galene, con oro, diamanti, quarzo
Anello Galene, con oro, diamanti, quarzo
Anello Tefnut, oro, opale
Anello Tefnut, oro, opale
Anello Thalessa, in oro rosa 18 carati, tormalina, zaffiri,  tormalina bicolore
Anello Thalessa, in oro rosa 18 carati, tormalina, zaffiri, tormalina bicolore

Anello Triton, oro, peridoto, tormaline
Anello Triton, oro, peridoto, tormaline







A wild rose for Giovanni Raspini

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The spring seen by Giovanni Raspini with the Wild Rose collection. Images and prices ♦ ︎
If in spring nature re-blossoms, which plant is more symbolic of the rose? And which flower is more romantic than a wild rose? Last question: what is the flower that the English are most fond of? The answer is always the same: the rose is the flower that is best matched to the new season. With (perhaps) these considerations in mind, Giovanni Raspini (who recently opened a shop in London) still elaborates his version of silver jewelry, but with the addition of careful processing and, sometimes, of stones. The Wild Rose collection, for example, uses burnished silver and pink opal: a fully successful contrast. The natural stone is used with a cabochon cut in two dimensions and is well suited to the floral theme of the collection, which includes two different necklaces, bracelets, two types of earrings and a ring. Prices: the small necklace costs 360 euros, an average bracelet of 260 euros, cascade earrings 210 euros. The collection is available from February 2018. Alessia Mongrando




Anello della collezione Wild Rose
Anello della collezione Wild Rose

Bracciale medio della collezione Wild Rose
Bracciale medio della collezione Wild Rose
Giovanni Raspini, bracciale
Giovanni Raspini, bracciale
Collana in argento e opali rosa
Collana in argento e opali rosa
Orecchini a cascata
Orecchini a cascata
Orecchini in argento e opali
Orecchini in argento e opali

Pendente Wild Rose
Pendente Wild Rose







Daniela Villegas in the Chromatic Paradise

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Daniela Villegas, travel to Mexico with the Chromatic Paradise collection ♦
Daniela Villegas, travel to Mexico with the Chromatic Paradise collection ♦ ︎
That Daniela Villegas is attracted by the colors of her country of origin, Mexico, is known. Her jewels are always based on contrasts of shapes and colors strong, cheerful, uncompromising. Add to this a fantasy that gallops like a wild horse across the plains of Texas. Combine these two aspects and you will have Chromatic Paradise, a collection that appeals to the wild nature of those lands, but also to the traditions born beyond the Rio Bravo. Daniela Villegas, who works and lives in Los Angeles, not only does not forget those harsh and enthralling atmospheres, but continues to observe them under a microscope. Her jewels are fanciful reconstructions or interpretations. This is also the case for the Chromatic Paradise collection, where for once the insects (her main source of inspiration) become a subject that is always present, but secondary. Instead, snakes and coyotes emerge with the difficult art of stone carving, with the classic mix of precious stones, semi-precious stones and natural elements. In this case, an even more effective formula. Giulia Netrese



Collana Coatlicue
Collana Coatlicue
Bracciale La Reina Coyote
Bracciale La Reina Coyote
Daniela Villegas, bracciale La Reina Coyote
Daniela Villegas, bracciale La Reina Coyote
Collezione Paradiso Cromatico, bracciale La Reina Coyote
Collezione Paradiso Cromatico, bracciale La Reina Coyote
Anello La reyna Coyote, turchese e tormaline verdi
Anello La Reina Coyote, turchese e tormaline verdi
La Reina Coyote Ring 2
Anello La Reina Coyote
La Reina Tiara
Tiara La Reina Coyote
Orecchini Papalote, con ametiste
Orecchini Papalote, con ametiste

Orecchini Quetzalcoatl
Orecchini Quetzalcoatl







Nanis, lightness on the wrist

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Nanis Bangle Lovers: simple yellow gold bracelets with light blue, pink or white stones ♦ ︎
About Nanis’s Dancing in the Rain we have already talked about (see also: Nanis dances still in the rain). But with the same shape-effect the Maison created by Laura Bicego has presented to VicenzaOro also a series of bracelets that can be worn individually or stacked together. Scratched Yellow Gold Bangles, as tradition of Nanis, with stones like opal, aquamarine, moonstone, or diamond pavé. The stones are cut to cabochon, and held by four small griffes at the end of the jewel. The bracelets are very thin and also very light, easy to wear because of the open shape: no clips or locks, in short. They are jewels specifically designed to make a simple gift at some special occasion, at an affordable price. Margherita Donato




Bracciali con pietra luna e acquamarina
Bracciali con pietra luna e acquamarina

Dancing in the rain, bracciale in oro e pavé di diamanti
Dancing in the rain, bracciale in oro e pavé di diamanti
Nanis, bracciale in oro e pavé di diamanti
Nanis, bracciale in oro e pavé di diamanti
Nanis BS4 587 Dancing in the rain bracelet 18ktgold diamonds acquamarine
Nanis, bracciale in oro e acquamarina coninserti di diamanti
Dancing in the rain, bracciale in oro e diamanti
Dancing in the rain, bracciale in oro e diamanti

Bracciali con opali rosa e acquamarina
Bracciali con opali rosa e acquamarina







New dance in the rain for Nanis




Nanis renews the Dancing in the Rain collection: gold with opal, aquamarine and diamonds ♦ ︎
The rain dance continues. To dance or, better, to push to dance to those who love her design, is Laura Bicego, designer and soul of Nanis. The Venetian Maison, which has recently landed with great success in Great Britain, extends the Dancing in the Rain collection. There is no need to listen the tip-tap of Gene Kelly on Lennie Hayton’s notes to appreciate the continuous renewal of one of Nanis’s most loved collections. Along with the classic oval yellow or white gold hand-scratched elements, Nanis proposes aquamarine and pink opal with diamond pavé. The design, of course, remains the original one in the collection, which rotates around the geometric shape of the oval. But the combination of colors and, above all, diamond surfaces make the whole new.




Anello con acquamarina della collezione Dancing in the Rain
Anello con acquamarina della collezione Dancing in the Rain

Collezione Dancing in the Rain
Collezione Dancing in the Rain
Nanis, nuovi orecchini asimmetrici
Nanis, nuovi orecchini asimmetrici
Orecchini con opale rosa
Orecchini con opale rosa
Nanis, orecchini in oro e diamanti
Nanis, orecchini in oro e diamanti
Orecchini con acquamarina
Orecchini con acquamarina

Orecchini in oro e diamanti
Orecchini in oro e diamanti





Collana con pendente della collezione Dancing in the Rain
Collana con pendente della collezione Dancing in the Rain

Nanis, anello in oro con pavé di diamanti
Nanis, anello in oro con pavé di diamanti
Nanis, anello doppio in oro e diamanti
Nanis, anello doppio in oro e diamanti
Collane con pendente della collezione Dancing in the Rain
Collane con pendente della collezione Dancing in the Rain
Collane della collezione Dancing in the Rain
Collane della collezione Dancing in the Rain
Collana in oro con acquamarina
Collana in oro con acquamarina
Bracciale Dancing in the Rain
Bracciale Dancing in the Rain

Nanis, anello in oro e diamanti
Nanis, anello in oro e diamanti







The colorful world of Daniela Villegas

Daniela Villegas: precious insects, nature, plants, between Mexico and fantasy ♦ ︎
Daniela Villegas has a double luck: she lives in a own colorful world even when the story seems to paint the life of humanity in black and white. She also has the privilege of being born in a country, Mexico, which is perhaps colored by law. You can not be avoid to get dazzled by the tinged Mexican shades that lie in the natural landscape, in the plants, and even in the wildlife, from big to tiny animals.
It is impossible, then, to create jewels without carrying the color palette on brooches, necklaces and rings. And more, Daniela has a fantasy that seems born from Alice in Wonderland, the knowledge of stones and a personal preference for craftsmanship. An so it is understood why Daniela Villegas’s jewels can be so above the norm, to be surprising and, of course, be so sought after by enthusiasts and collectors. The lines of his collections are, though not exclusively, inspired by two subjects: insects and Mexican nature, which she knows well even though she is living between Los Angeles and Paris. Alessia Mongrando




Anello a forma di cactus Nopal
Anello a forma di cactus Nopal

Orecchini Little Princess
Orecchini Little Princess
Orecchini Libertad
Orecchini Libertad
Pendente Glinda
Pendente Glinda
Orecchini con tormaline verdi e perle di Thaiti
Orecchini con tormaline verdi e perle di Thaiti
Orecchino Khepri
Orecchino Khepri
Orecchini Colorado
Orecchini Colorado
Orecchini Amor Eterno
Orecchini Amor Eterno
Collana Arcoiris
Collana Arcoiris

Pendente Abundancia con tormaline e peridoto
Pendente Abundancia con tormaline e peridoto







The iridescent life of Katherine Jetter

The iridescent imagination of Katherine Jetter, citizen of the world, with a passion for Australian opals.
The designer Katherine Jetter has a Greek mother and a German father. She grew up between England, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. But she is Australian (born in Melbourne). And not only: she loves the fruit gemological most famous of Australia, the opal: 95% of the extracted stones of this type all over the world they come, in fact, from Outback in the country of kangaroos. And to say that Katherine Jetter seemed to start another career: in finance, in a prestigious company like JP Morgan. Among her choices, however, we must not forget the degree in Clinical Psychology at University College London.
In short, a personality with many faces, many layers, so many colors. Just like opal, who learned to know better by attending the most titled school of precious stones, the Gemological Institute of America. From there, leave aside finance and psychology, he started working as a designer for several jewelry companies, including De Beers. Moved permanently from Australia to New York, he created his own company (and found her husband). The restless Katherine, however, she is still moved, this time in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A stone’s throw from the Mexican opals. But also in an area where he can practice with his other passions: mountaineering (she climbed Kilimanjaro and Machu Picchu), diving, cooking. When not in one of these many activities, the designer manages to find time to design jewelry. Almost exclusively with the use of iridescent, precious and rare opals, as she is. Giulia Netrese

Orecchini Snowstorm con opale e tormaline
Orecchini Snowstorm con opale e tormaline
Anello in oro bianco con opale e pietre
Anello in oro bianco con opale e pietre
Anello in oro bianco con opale messicano, diamanti neri, zaffiri gialli, rubini
Anello in oro bianco con opale messicano, diamanti neri, zaffiri gialli, rubini
Katherine Jetter, anello con opale (da Facebook)
Katherine Jetter, anello con opale (da Facebook)
Ciondolo Birdcage che racchiude un opale
Ciondolo Birdcage che racchiude un opale
Anello con opale bicolore e zaffiri arancio
Anello con opale bicolore e zaffiri arancio
Anello con tormalina
Anello con tormalina
Anello con opale e tsavoriti
Anello con opale e tsavoriti
Opals earrings
Opals earrings

Lydia Courteille in the desert

The Sahara seen by Lydia Courteille: a collection in blue and yellow, the colors of the desert.
Topkapi, the Queen of Sheba, the Amazon. And now the Sahara collection or, rather, the Tassili n’Ajjer, a name which in Berber means Plateau (Tassili) Tuareg (Kel Ajjer). For geographical maps is a mountain area of the Algerian desert, on the border with Libya. For Lydia Courteille, however, is the name of his latest collection, always on strand of exoticism.

A trip to this remote area of ​​the world has inspired the collection that incorporates the colors of the desert: the yellow and the deep blue of the sky, but also the traditional clothes of the Tuareg tribes. The collection was presented at Paris Fashion Week: the right time to show the jewelry made with blue Australian opals and topazes, diamonds and sapphires, contrasting with the 18-carat gold. Rings, also in triple version, a kind of harem for the fingers, a snake-shaped necklace (of the desert, of course), a bracelet that matches the design of the sand dunes: the Sahara collection has everything to make yourself look, to wear and also a bit to envy. Alessia Mongrando

Tre anelli uniti da una catena d'oro, collezione Sahara
Tre anelli uniti da una catena d’oro, collezione Sahara
Collezione Sahara di Lydia Courteille
Collezione Sahara di Lydia Courteille
Anello con scarabeo
Anello con scarabeo
Bracciale della collezione Sahara
Bracciale della collezione Sahara
Collana a forma di serpente
Collana a forma di serpente
L'immagine simbolo della collezione
L’immagine simbolo della collezione