Magnificent Menu: Colourful Jewels on the Scene at Robinson Pelham

August 9, 2023

By Katerina Perez

8 min read

Vibrant and energetic jewels with tons of personality are the mainstay of British fine jeweller Robinson Pelham, which has already surpassed its 25th anniversary. Following an explosion of colour at Couture Las Vegas in June, I visited the brand’s founding trio – Vanessa Chilton, Zoe Benyon and Kate Pelham Burn – in London’s Chelsea to discover the fun, playful and precious pieces that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Let’s take a closer look…

We are used to jewellery being serious or fun, but what about seriously fun? To me, Robinson Pelham has always found the perfect balance between precious materials, vibrant colours, and wearable creations that can jazz up jeans or accompany an evening gown. I attribute this skill to its three partners, Vanessa Chilton, Zoe Benyon and Kate Pelham Burn, who’ve joined forces to create covetable ready-to-wear jewellery collections, ear stacks, bespoke jewels and juicy cocktail rings that are an ode to fabulousness at any age. This is women designing for women at its most joyful.

Robinson Pelham founders (from left to right) Kate Pelham Burn, Vanessa Chilton and Zoe Benyon

Robinson Pelham founders (from left to right) Kate Pelham Burn, Vanessa Chilton and Zoe Benyon

Last September, I wrote about the 25th anniversary of the London-based business and how it has always had a penchant for rainbow colour combinations – fancy sapphires, tsavorites, Muzo emeralds, and fancy-cut diamonds – set in buttery 18k yellow gold. A colourful palette of gems is often set using a pavé technique on Identity chains, Zouk earrings or Orb hoops. Another way Robinson Pelham plays with colour in its jewellery is by surrounding a statement centre stone with either contrasting or complementing enamel, as we see in the Arena rings. A brand new addition to this spectrum of hues comes in the form of the Chroma collection, featuring 14k gold chains dipped in turquoise, pink, or orange ceramic for the perfect pop of colour. These chains have been equally popular with men and women, highlighting the gender-neutral power of new jewels emerging at Robinson Pelham.

Robinson Pelham Arena ring with a 7.96-carat amethyst surrounded by orange enamel in 14k yellow gold

Robinson Pelham Arena ring with a 7.96-carat amethyst surrounded by orange enamel in 14k yellow gold

Robinson Pelham Identity necklace in 18k yellow gold with an Identity Heart clasp

Robinson Pelham Identity necklace in 18k yellow gold with an Identity Heart clasp

Robinson Pelham Zouk Large Rainbow earrings in in 18k yellow gold with rainbow sapphires and tsavorites

Robinson Pelham Zouk Large Rainbow earrings in in 18k yellow gold with rainbow sapphires and tsavorites

Robinson Pelham Chroma Pink bracelet in 14k yellow gold and silver

Robinson Pelham Chroma Pink bracelet in 14k yellow gold and silver

This virtuoso play with hues was demonstrated to me when I visited Robinson Pelham’s ‘universe’ on Elystan Street in Chelsea, London. When I arrived, the team were knee-deep in preparations for one of its legendary piercing parties, which took place on June 28. These events welcome VIP clients, friends and influencers who’ve discovered the brand on Instagram or been inspired by its legion of high-profile fans, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and her sister, Pippa Middleton.

Models wear rainbow sapphire and tsavorite fine jewellery creations by Robinson Pelham

Models wear rainbow sapphire and tsavorite fine jewellery creations by Robinson Pelham

Speaking of ear piercing, this experience starts with the Robinson Pelham EarMenu – an umbrella term for its ever-evolving selection of Orb earrings, EarWishes and its selection of studs that can be mixed and matched. This summer, the brand launched new creations, including a black diamond version of its best-selling Orb hoop, a black diamond EarWish (hoop charm), and a black diamond WishBack. These midnight black options are perfect for contrasting against neon hues, but they’re also ideal for men wanting to take their earring game to the next level!

 A model wears a stack of Orb Hoop earrings in a variety of diamond and gemstone finishes by Robinson Pelham

A model wears a stack of Orb Hoop earrings in a variety of diamond and gemstone finishes by Robinson Pelham

Robinson Pelham Orb Hoop earrings with black and colourless diamonds in 14k white and yellow gold

Robinson Pelham Orb Hoop earrings with black and colourless diamonds in 14k white and yellow gold

 A model wears diamond-set creations from the Robinson Pelham EarMenu

A model wears diamond-set creations from the Robinson Pelham EarMenu

 Robinson Pelham Elixir pendants with black diamonds in yellow and white gold

Robinson Pelham Elixir pendants with black diamonds in yellow and white gold

If you’re wondering about the WishBacks, these are elevated butterfly earring backs adorned with dangling and dancing gem-set snakes, skulls, moons, feathers, dragonflies, and more motifs to give even the simplest stud a lift. Some are short to peek out from beneath the ear lobe, whereas others are longer to add drama to a scraped-back ponytail.

 A selection of Robinson Pelham WishBacks set with diamonds and pink sapphires in 14k gold

A selection of Robinson Pelham WishBacks set with diamonds and pink sapphires in 14k gold

 A selection of Robinson Pelham WishBacks, including a long Feather and Crossbones in 14k yellow gold

A selection of Robinson Pelham WishBacks, including a long Feather and Crossbones in 14k yellow gold

 Robinson Pelham earring WishBacks featuring diamond and coloured gemstone-set skulls, snakes and dragonflies

Robinson Pelham earring WishBacks featuring diamond and coloured gemstone-set skulls, snakes and dragonflies

 Robinson Pelham WishBacks, including the long Hummingbird version with pink and blue sapphires in 14k gold

Robinson Pelham WishBacks, including the long Hummingbird version with pink and blue sapphires in 14k gold

 Robinson Pelham 14k gold earring WishBacks are sold individually to add personality to an earring stack

Robinson Pelham 14k gold earring WishBacks are sold individually to add personality to an earring stack

Zoe Benyon tells me: “So many people come, and they’re wearing diamond studs, which they love, but they don’t find them very versatile. We can show them an EarWish, attached to a butterfly, and suddenly they’ve got something different.” I love how Robinson Pelham gives its clients the power to customise a classic stud or huggie and express their personalities.

A model wears Robinson Pelham Orb Hoop earrings and EarWish charms with coloured gemstones and diamonds

A model wears Robinson Pelham Orb Hoop earrings and EarWish charms with coloured gemstones and diamonds

Now you might wonder where the name EarMenu comes from. According to Zoe: “It’s like going into a restaurant when you get menu blindness, and you can’t choose! An EarMenu is a series of building blocks – you start with hoops, add EarWishes, and then you can back up the Wishes with WishDishes to add pops of colour. Suddenly something little becomes visible.” One thing that is most definitely visible in Robinson Pelham’s London flagship is its EarBar area, situated to the right of the entrance and featuring a plethora of styling ideas for your ‘ear party’.

The Robinson Pelham EarMenu includes studs, Orb Hoop earrings, EarWishes and WishBacks to create a unique earring stack

The Robinson Pelham EarMenu includes studs, Orb Hoop earrings, EarWishes and WishBacks to create a unique earring stack

 A model wears EarMenu creations with diamonds in 14k yellow gold by Robinson Pelham

A model wears EarMenu creations with diamonds in 14k yellow gold by Robinson Pelham

Going further from one display to the other, I stopped by the gender-neutral Love is All Around collection, comprised of signet rings and pendants with messages encoded in gems. For example, the Eye Die 4 U pinkie ring and a pendant displayed this message written in diamonds – a marquise one, a 4-shaped one, and a ‘U’ one, all custom-cut, especially for the design. “It’s quite a gothic sentiment,” Zoe explains about the Eye Die 4 U pieces, “but actually, at the heart of it is love!” And this is evident from the existing rings in the collection, one of which is the Love Struck design that features two custom-cut diamonds. They are surrounded by bubble-gum-coloured pink sapphires that lend the jewel a sweet look. What I really like about these designs is that they are entirely unisex… it just depends on the person, their tastes, and their wardrobe choices.

 Robinson Pelham Love Struck signet ring with custom-cut diamonds and pink sapphires in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Love Struck signet ring with custom-cut diamonds and pink sapphires in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Eye Die 4 U signet ring with custom-cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Eye Die 4 U signet ring with custom-cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

 Robinson Pelham Love Struck pendant with a heart-shaped diamond in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Love Struck pendant with a heart-shaped diamond in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

 Robinson Pelham Love U signet ring with custom-cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Love U signet ring with custom-cut diamonds in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Eye Die 4 U pendant with a coffin-shaped custom-cut diamond in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Robinson Pelham Eye Die 4 U pendant with a coffin-shaped custom-cut diamond in 18k yellow gold, part of the Love Is All Around collection

Another sweet collection is North Star which debuted at the Couture Show 2023. It consists of a delicate North Star diamond pendant, stud earrings and an ear cuff that can be mixed and matched for every day in 14K yellow and white gold. “It started as a Pop Art explosion,” Zoe explains, noting that, as the design evolved, it became more akin to a north star. To counteract this (and to cement the Lichtenstein inspirations), the star has been set asymmetrically and horizontally… why do something expected when the unexpected is so much more fun!

Robinson Pelham North Star cuff earrings with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold

Robinson Pelham North Star cuff earrings with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold

Robinson Pelham North Star large pendants with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold

Robinson Pelham North Star large pendants with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold

Robinson Pelham North Star stud earrings with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold

Robinson Pelham North Star stud earrings with diamonds in 14k yellow and white gold

Finally, I’d be remiss not to mention Robinson Pelham’s best-selling collection – Identity – which features golden chain link necklaces that can be customised with charms and modern ‘identity tags’ decorated with enamel, diamonds and coloured gemstones. The collection enjoyed a lift when Gwyneth Paltrow made the Identity necklace the star of her ‘neck mess’, and since then, it has performed strongly internationally. New elements were added in the last few months, including the dynamic pavé ID Hearts that can be hooked onto a chunky chain with a hinge fastening, colour pop enamel bars, and a black diamond Identity bar that appeals to men and women in equal measure.

 A model wears Robinson Pelham Identity necklaces with Identity Bar Connectors, plus a long necklace with an Identity Heart Rainbow Connector with rainbow sapphires and tsavorites, all in 18k yellow gold

A model wears Robinson Pelham Identity necklaces with Identity Bar Connectors, plus a long necklace with an Identity Heart Rainbow Connector with rainbow sapphires and tsavorites, all in 18k yellow gold

 A model wears a Robinson Pelham Identity necklace with an Identity Heart Connector, all in 18k yellow gold, plus a stack of Romy bangles in 14k white, yellow and rose gold

A model wears a Robinson Pelham Identity necklace with an Identity Heart Connector, all in 18k yellow gold, plus a stack of Romy bangles in 14k white, yellow and rose gold

 A model wears a Robinson Pelham Identity necklace with an Identity Bar Connector, set with a heart-shaped drop pendant, all in 18k yellow gold, plus a stack of Romy bangles in 14k white, yellow and rose gold

A model wears a Robinson Pelham Identity necklace with an Identity Bar Connector, set with a heart-shaped drop pendant, all in 18k yellow gold, plus a stack of Romy bangles in 14k white, yellow and rose gold

After a couple of hours at the flagship store, my visit ended with the idea of a chocolate box full of delectable treats, each one different to the next. Rather than sticking with what we know, we should look beyond our preferences and try something new, different, tempting and ‘tasty’. If you’re ready, I recommend the menu at Robinson Pelham.

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