Eclipse, a high jewelry collection by Bibi van der Velden, blending astronomy with alligators.
Bibi van der Velden is a Dutch designer who began her career as a sculptor; she studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, as well as the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Her mother was also a sculptor, and in 2005, the two opened an atelier together in Amsterdam. A hallmark of the designer’s work has always been the use of unconventional materials—often linked to the animal kingdom—with a recurring focus on the alligator motif. Now, through her well-established jewelry brand, she presents *Eclipse*, her latest high jewelry collection.
As with her previous creations, *Eclipse* showcases her sculptural expertise, resulting in pieces with a distinct, bold identity. The collection, which comprises 12 items—including some that feature the alligator motif—centers on a combination of gemstones: diamonds paired with gray and black spinels, set in 18-karat white gold. The colors of the stones—cut in step or baguette styles—evoke the phenomenon of an eclipse, from which the collection takes its name: the transition from light to darkness. Fittingly, several pieces in the collection bear names such as *Moonlight*, *Moonshadow*, and *Twilight*.
