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Trend: Juicy gems in fine jewellery design
Large gemstones are the single most effective decorative design element that jewellers can use. Nothing is as impactful and pleasing to the eye as a large, vibrant gem: whether in person, in photography for print media, in advertising or online.
Not only do big gemstones have a huge appeal, but with the entire spectrum of coloured stones becoming lauded in fine jewellery, the variation of shades and tones which are available to designers and consumers alike is wider than ever!
For Spring/Summer 2019, a huge trend is gentle pastel tones in gemstones, as the more dramatic neon and richer shades tend to reach the height of their popularity in the Autumn/Winter season. These were formerly considered less desirable tones for gems, but a more subtle palette has emerged this year.
Veschetti 'Ortensia' ring with 7.81ct cushion cut tanzanite, emeralds and diamonds, necklace with an oval 39.05ct kunzite, oval tanzanites totaling 26.62ct, 6.28ct Colombian emeralds, and 14.20ct diamonds, and earrings with 1.38ct oval kunzites, emeralds and diamonds, all in 18k yellow gold
One way to showcase these gargantuan stones is to accentuate their colour, either by allowing the feature gem to ‘stand alone’ with minimal metalwork and details, or by purposely matching its tones with those of other bold decorative elements in that design. Some designers choose to use contrasting colour gemstones to highlight their natural hues to their fullest potential, whilst others opt for colourless diamonds to make allow the coloured gem to take centre stage.
However you prefer your jewellery, I have curated a selection of the very best and most exciting designs featuring juicy gems for your delectation!
Bulgari
Bulgari
'Future' necklace from the 'Wild Pop' collection with 36.41ct rubellite, citrine, topaz, pink tourmaline, amethyst and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Lorenz Bäumer
Lorenz Bäumer
'Fleur de Nuit' ring from the ‘Black Magic’ collection with green tourmaline, Paraiba tourmaline, pink sapphire and lacquer in 18k white gold
Kat Florence
Kat Florence
Ring with blue zircon and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Jessica McCormack
Jessica McCormack
‘Daisy’ ring with sapphire and diamond in 18k white gold
Jochen Leen
Jochen Leen
Rings with Paraiba tourmaline and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Harry Winston
Harry Winston
'Candy' ring with 16.69ct oval spessartite garnet, turquoise and diamonds in 18k white gold
Verdura
Verdura
'Fulco' toggle bracelet with amethyst, citrine, South Sea cultured pearl, spinel and peridot in 18k yellow gold
Erica Courtney
Erica Courtney
'Empress' ring with colour change sapphire, Paraiba tourmaline, sapphire and diamond in 18k yellow gold
Goldesign Joais Janeiro
Goldesign Joais Janeiro
Earrings with 25.50ct emerald, amethyst, diamond, ruby, rubellite and turquoise in 18k yellow gold
Cartier
Cartier
'Holika' bracelet from the ‘Coloratura’ collection with 30ct cushion cut rubellite, tourmaline, chrysoberyl and diamonds in 18k white gold
David Webb
David Webb
'Turban' ring with carved emerald, amethyst, coral and diamond in 18k yellow gold
Carol Kauffmann
Carol Kauffmann
'Class' earrings with emerald cut topaz, rubellite and diamonds in 18k white gold
Boghossian
Boghossian
‘Merveilles’ ring with Mozambique ruby and diamonds in 18k white gold
Avakian
Avakian
Ring with buff top amethyst, orange sapphires and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Sutra
Sutra
Earrings with tanzanite, sapphire and diamond in 18k white and blackened gold
Podnebesnaya & Podnebesny
Podnebesnaya & Podnebesny
Earrings with freshwater pearls, spessartine garnet, rubellite and diamonds in 18k white gold
Tiffany&Co.
Tiffany&Co.
'Blue Book 2018' collection brooch with an emerald cut tanzanite of over 27ct, round and marquise sapphires of over 5ct, and round brilliant diamonds in platinum
Aisha Baker
Aisha Baker
'Mystèré' ring with citrine in enamel and 18k yellow gold
Boucheron
Boucheron
‘Cabochon Parfum’ ring with rubellite cabochon, diamond and onyx in 18k white gold
Ara Vartanian
Ara Vartanian
Pendant necklace with rubellite, Paraiba tourmaline, black and colourless diamonds in 18k white gold
Piaget
Piaget
'Green Aurora' manchette from the 'Sunlight Escape' collection with 14.53ct cushion cut tourmaline and diamonds in wood marquetry and 18k pink gold
Picchiotti
Picchiotti
Necklace with 53.41ct kunzite, tsavorites and diamonds in 18k white gold
Margot McKinney
Margot McKinney
'Exotic Abundance' collar necklace with tsavorite, aquamarine, sapphire, peridot, diamonds and black opals in 18k yellow gold
Paolo Costagli
Paolo Costagli
'Florentine' ring with blue topaz, tourmaline and diamonds in 18k white gold
NUUN Jewels
NUUN Jewels
'El Hada' ring with rubellite and diamonds in enamel and 18k yellow gold
Nicholas Varney
Nicholas Varney
Earrings with peridot, conch pearls and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Nina Runsdorf
Nina Runsdorf
Hoop earrings with multi-stone gems and diamond in 18k yellow gold
Nadine Aysoy
Nadine Aysoy
'Tsarina' earrings with beryl, fire opal and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Marina B
Marina B
'Ezia' ring with tourmaline and blue topaz in 18k yellow gold
WORDS
Jodie Smith is a San Francisco based writer, trend forecaster and creative consultant specialising in the jewellery and luxury industries.
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