Traditional Armenian jewellery

Traditional Armenian jewellery and folk costume have existed for 3,000 years, and during that time underwent some natural changes and the influence of neighboring peoples, but on the whole it has kept its own characteristics and the name – “Taraz”. Armenian folk costumes are very colorful. Red, which is considered a symbol of fertility, is often found in suits. Other favorite colors of the Armenians were blue, purple, white, green. In different areas, people had their own preferences, for example in Western Armenia preferred white color, and in the eastern part of the country, people preferred to wear red (present Armenia). Dresses were sewn according to wealth, made of silk, brocade, satin, cotton. Previously, Armenian woman liked to wear a lot of jewelry – necklaces, earrings, headwear decorations and bracelets. Jewelry has been an indispensable part of the national costume, it is passed from generation to generation, and is mostly made of silver.
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Necklace ‘Peacock’ of beads and natural stones. Stories on stones by Yevgeniya Belousova

Necklace ‘Peacock’ is truly the royal necklace. Made of beads and natural stones – labradorite and amazonite, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass beads, quartz beads. The necklace shimmers and changes colors depending on the light.
Russian craftswoman, jeweler and a graphic designer by education, Yevgeniya Belousova lives and works in the Siberian city of Barnaul. Jewellery and painting is her hobby and profession at the same time. She has been painting on cabochons and designing jewelry of natural stones, beads and polymer clay. Stones – a living material, work with which is very exciting. Most of all she loves to discover a story in a stone, carefully researching it. Every stone has its own story, each ornament is not similar to other, and the task of an artist to see it. Painting on stones, she tries to show their essence. No less interesting is to emphasize the design and create a story for painting.
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Bar en Corolle Rings. Dior Joaillerie ‘Archi Dior’ Collection

French fashion house Dior unveiled a new collection of fine jewelry by French jewellery designer Victoire de Castellane, the chief jeweler of Dior brand. Victoire de Castellane Silk Dior jewellery – bracelets and necklaces, like curls of satin ribbons and lace ruffles, bows earrings with gift boxes, and other decorations in the most unexpected forms. Dior fine jewelry is far from being something static. The new collection of Soie Dior fine jewelry to some extent breaks the stereotypes. Although all the ornaments are still, Victoire de Castellane and craftsmen of Dior House managed to create a very compelling illusion of movement. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings – gold really comes alive in every subject. The very idea of the frozen moment in time is found in the delicacy with which the jewellery has been crafted and it seems at every moment that the next will be different, carried by the movement of the ribbon made of gold, in the midst of a construction of gemstones. “When you toy with a ribbon, it is instinctive, it is ephemeral, and I wanted to retain that idea of freedom in play”, explains Victoire de Castellane.
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Luxurious Tudor era dress

Luxurious Tudor era dress – magical, luxurious and fabulous items of clothing so carefully preserved for us by masters of Western European painting. Art and fashion are intertwined: and today a source of inspiration for designers are works of old masters, as a true reflection of fashion. Tudor era fashion belongs to the period of 1485-1603, a time in English history presented by two most famous Tudors, Queen Elizabeth I and her father Henry VIII. The wealthy people of the time would wear clothes of bright colors made from luxurious materials such as silk, and velvet; fur was a popular trim among the wealthy. The lower classes would wear clothes made from wool and linen, the poorer women wore simple clothes – a long dress with an apron on top. The most recognized item of clothing was the ruff – a collar of lace worn around the neck, and wealthy people wore enormous ruffs to show off their wealth.
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Viren Bhagat jewellery

In the circles of experts and professionals Viren Bhagat is believed to be the one of the foremost contemporary jewelers. I saw the works of Viren at the exhibition in the Kremlin in 2014, and I was impressed. Viren Bhagat was born into a family that has more than a century engaged in jewelry business, so the interest in the art of jewellery was pawned in his childhood. Today, he states that he never tried to make jewelry for other people, and worked exclusively for fun. However, his decorations are in high demand and often bought at the stage of work on them. Prices of his products are usually expressed in seven-digit numbers, but this does not stop connoisseurs. Viren unique style – a synthesis of the traditional motifs of the Mughal Empire and modern trends. His “calling card” became the most subtle, barely perceptible rim of platinum, which Viren Bhagat prefers to other metals because of its high density. His favorite stones – the same sacred “five treasures” of Mughal era – diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls. Often the stones for a piece of jewelry have been chosen for many years to finally create a unique and harmonious unity.
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Cat Scratching Post Necklace. Metal Speak jewellery

Jewelers of Michigan based shop Metal Speak make beautiful personalized hand stamped charm jewelry. The small family business consists of four creative women – Susan, Janessa, Jessica, and Jeremy. They all love art and express their talents working with metal. The process begins with inspiration and ideas, which then turns into real works of art. Sometimes their customers come to them with their wonderful and unique ideas or designs. Metal Speak masters are often allowed a glimpse into the lives of their customers to meet their wishes. Such thoughtful approach is very fruitful for both sides – customers and jewelers, and it makes Metal Speak jewelry unique. When the craftswomen are not working with metal, they enjoy painting, crocheting, digital art, and even woodworking.
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Andrea Fohrman Celestial jewellery – ring made of a rutilated quartz, black onyx, diamonds

“I wanted to cover women with constellations! Stars! Stars of all sizes,” proclaimed Coco Chanel of her first, and only, high jewellery collection in 1932. And Chanel was not the only jeweler to be mesmerized by astral beings. Los Angeles, California-based independent fine jewelry company consists of contemporary artisans and craftsmen recognized by stylists and editors around the world. Andrea Fohrman jewelers have created a beautiful collection of lunar objects in an array of guises including setting crescent moons in stunning statement rings of rose Gold, diamonds, malachite, lapis and quartz. Andrea personally handpicks each stone, which she collects from all over the world. Her pieces are made in 18k gold of mostly recycled metals. Andrea lives in Los Angeles with her husband, their two children and their golden retriever, Tucson.
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