Press
When does jewellery become art? For Melanie Grant, luxury editor of The Economist’s sister publication, 1843, it is ‘when the purity of the designer’s intentions are respected and allowed to blossom unmolested by commerce. The jewel is made to exist rather than be sold’.
It is a stance that Grant skilfully illustrates, drawing from examples as varied as the majestic Cape de Lumiere (Cape of Light) by Boucheron; a ring with diamonds set in recycled gold by Monique Pean, which unexpectedly features pyritised dinosaur bone; or the experimental designs with pearls by Tasaki and Melanie Georgacopoulous. These are but a few among many magnificent creations from established jewellery houses and emerging talents.
Image: Bibi Van der Velden, Scarab Upside Down Earrings, Amethysts, brown diamonds, pink sapphires, and scarab wings in sterling silver and rose gold. Picture credit: Bibi Van der Velden (p. 172)
Original article: In print only
Written by Milena Lazazzera on November 3rd 2020.