2015 Met Gala Jewelry Highlights

The red carpet showcase for the annual Met Costume Institute Gala Monday was so big, so bold, so beautiful and so fashionable that it made the annual Oscars red carpet look like a small-town tea party.

The glamorous event serves as the annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. The gala's theme this year was “China: Through the Looking Glass,” and under Anna Wintour’s leadership, the red carpet was ablaze with some of the most beautiful women on earth wearing the custom designs of the biggest names in fashion. 

Jewels also sparkled on the flaming carpet and the highlights included the following:

Actress Fan Bingbing (top photo) in Chopard yellow diamond earrings from the High Jewelry Collection featuring 26.53-carats of oval and pear-shaped fancy yellow diamonds set in 18k yellow gold; and a yellow diamond ring from the High Jewelry Collection featuring a 2.71-carat yellow diamond set in platinum.

Actress Jaime King in Forevermark Exceptional Diamond Jewelry, including Drop Earrings with Pear and Round Shaped Forevermark Diamonds set in platinum; 6.06-carat Ring with Cushion Cut Forevermark Exceptional Diamond set in platinum; a 12.10-carat ring with an Asscher cut Forevermark Exceptional Diamond set in platinum; Forevermark by Norman Silverman 23.14-carat Line Bracelet with Cushion Cut Forevermark Diamonds set in platinum; Forevermark by Norman Silverman Triple Row Diamond Band with Round Brilliant Forevermark Diamonds set in 18k white gold; and Forevermark by Galili and Co. Diamond Line Bracelet with Round Brilliant Forevermark Diamonds set in 18k white gold

Actress Kerry Washington in Winston Cluster Diamond Earrings, 18.84 carats, set in platinum, and an 8.14-carat Cushion-Cut Diamond Ring

Actress Kate Beckinsale in Carrera y Carrera yellow gold black onyx fringe earrings and yellow gold ring

Actress Katie Holmes in Chopard diamond chandelier earrings from the High Jewelry Collection set in 18k white gold; a Chopard sapphire ring from the High Jewelry Collection featuring a 10.40-carat pear-shaped sapphire and 0.94-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold; and four Chopard diamond bracelets that she stacked on her left arm – all from the High Jewelry Collection and set in 18k white gold

Model Liya Kebede in Harry Winston’s Qipao Qipao Diamond Choker, with 1,155 diamonds weighing 55.9 carats, set in platinum; and the Qipao Diamond Bracelet, 252 diamonds weighing 51.6 carats, set in platinum

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker was adorned in Fred Leighton, including Old European Diamond Drop Earrings by Fred Leighton (10 total carats); 19th Century Diamond Riviere worn as bracelet wrapped around wrist; 19th Century Emerald and Diamond Bracelet; Art Deco Diamond Bracelet; 19th Century Old Mine Diamond Cluster Ring

Jennifer Lopez in Sutra ruby fan earrings, Ivy ruby ring, Harry Kotlar 8 karat diamond ring and a Jack Vartanian diamond ring

Supermodel Joan Smalls in Chopard diamond earrings from the High Jewelry Collection featuring a 3.04-carat emerald-cut diamond and a 3.05-carat emerald-cut diamond set in 18k white gold

Model Shu Pei in Harry Winston’s Secret Cluster Ruby and Diamond Drop Earrings, 10.78 carats, set in 18k yellow gold and platinum; Winston Cluster Diamond Ring, set in platinum; and the Lily Cluster Diamond Ring set in 18k yellow gold

Model Jessica Hart in Sutra ruby fan earrings, Carrera y Carrera yellow gold dragon bracelet and yellow gold ring

Actress Zoe Kravitz in a variety of Chopard High Jewelry Collection pieces, including diamond and 18k white gold earrings; a diamond ring set in 18k white gold; a diamond ring featuring two 1.53-carats heart-shaped diamonds and 1.46-carats of round-shaped diamonds set in 18k white gold; a diamond ring band featuring 3.27-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold; a diamond ring with a 1.05-carat pear-shaped diamond, and a 1.08-carat pear-shaped diamond set in 18k white gold; and a selection of five diamond eternity bands from the featuring over 27 carats of diamonds set in platinum and white gold

Lady Gaga in Coral, Black Jade and Diamond Pendant Earrings by Fred Leighton; and an 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond and Black Enamel Modernist Ring 

Singer Janelle Monae in Jack Vartanian diamond earrings, Le Vian rings, a Carla Amorim diamond bracelet and diamond rings and a Casa Reale diamond ring

Supermodel Adriana Lima in Chopard diamond earrings from the High Jewelry Collection featuring 7.01-carats of brilliant-cut diamonds set in 18k white gold; a rubellite ring from the Temptations Collection featuring 50.73-carats of pear-shaped rubellite, 3.20-carats of rubies and 1.27-carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold; a diamond band from the High Jewelry Collection featuring 2.65-carats of diamonds set in platinum; and a diamond bracelet from the L’Heure Du Diamant Collection featuring 7.29-carats of brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k white gold

Actress Claire Danes in Fred Leighton, including Art Deco Natural Pearl and Diamond Pendant Earrings; two Art Deco Diamond Bracelets; and an Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Bracelet  

Actress-singer Zendaya in a Lydia Courteille ring, Jack Vartanian black diamond studs, Pasquale Bruni snake diamond ring and Casa Reale diamond stackable rings

Actress Diane Kruger in a Fred Leighton Art Deco Old Mine Diamond and Ruby Bracelet

Lizzy Caplan in Jack Vartanian gold fringe earrings and Carla Amorim ruby ring.

Model Kendall Jenner in Chopard pear-shaped diamond drop earrings from the High Jewelry Collection, featuring 5.63-carats of pear-shaped diamonds and 2.13-carats of brilliant-cut diamonds set in platinum

Model Karolina Kurkova wears Fred Leighton including a Mother of Pearl and Diamond Lotus Flower Earrings by Fred Leighton; and a 19th Century Yellow Gold and Old Mine Diamond Floral Cluster Ring 1960’s Diamond Thistle Ring                     

Model Karlie Kloss in Fred Leighton, including Carved Jade and Diamond Earrings by Fred Leighton; Onyx and Diamond Bracelets; and Art Deco Carved Emerald and Diamond Ring  

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The Best of The Best Jewelry At Baselworld 2015

Fabergé Secret Garden necklace

Baselworld is known as a watch show but it is also one of the best places in the world to see the newest and best in jewelry from around the world, particularly at the luxury end. 

Among the brands that really made an impression this year was Fabergé. Not only with its first Imperial style jeweled egg in nearly a century. I already featured its Pearl Egg but the company exhibited several high jewelry collections reminiscent of the Fabergé of old, including a candy-colored collection of jewels called “Secret Garden (top photo).” Natalia Shugaeva, Fabergé’s head designer, said she wanted to create a collection of jewels that are opulent and refined. She succeeded.

From friends to those who actually work for the brand the word most used to describe the work of Fawaz Gruosi and his high jewelry brand, De Grisogono, is “crazy.” It is meant in the best possible sense. His singular creative designs have won the brand fame throughout the world and this year at Baselworld there were several ultra-imaginative masterpieces on displays. It’s almost become typical to expect the wonderfully unexpected from De Grisogono. Yhe De Grisogono High Jewelry necklace picture is a perfect example in 18k white and rose gold, 12 briolette-cut emeralds, 19 round-cut rubies (approximately 12.66 cts.), 29 marquise-cut white diamonds (approximately 11.01 cts.), 1,366 emeralds (approx. 60.20 ct s ) and 2603 white diamonds (approximately 137.54 cts.).

Chopard unveiled its High Jewelry Collection at Baselworld and even among the selection of jewelry destined for Red Carpet events one piece stood out. An ocean blue ring featuring a 41.57-carat oval shaped paraíba tourmaline from Mozambique and 8.8-carats of diamonds set in a lace-work of 18k white gold.

Georg Jensen and its managing director of jewelry, Meeling Wong, created several collections of refined jewelry that reinterpret the traditional designs of the famed silversmith brand. Among the items that stood out was a collection of pieces in collaboration with colored gemstone mining company, Gemfields.

Graff Diamonds also provided an exceptional jewelry not only in terms of size but in nuanced ways, showcasing several pieces that can be worn in a variety of ways or with clever use of material. The latter could be seen in the diamond tassel necklace pictured above.

Antonini, introduced a number of new collections with what it calls “natural” white gold, which is more like white mixed with a grey or yellow tint. It is used in a matte finished. Meanwhile more traditional rhodium-finished white and black gold is creatively used as a background for rough-textured pavé settings.

Pasquale Bruni introduced a number of colorful items led by Fiori in Fiore (Flowers in Bloom), featuring diamonds mixed with pink sapphires and morganite. 

Roberto Coin made a statement with its steely-eyed Falco (hawk or falcon, take your pick) ring and bracelet.  

Brumani was again as always a great designer of multi-colored stones that reflect the vibrancy of its home country Brazil and this year was no different as with these pastel colored earrings show. 

Like few other brands, Sutra brought color to the party with exceptional gemstones and creative designs as with these turquoise, diamond and gold earrings. 

More color was provided by Yoko London through its pearl-centric designs. 

Spanish brand Carrera y Carrera celebrated its 140th year anniversary with a collection of delicate, hand-made gold pieces. 

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Travel and Architecture's Influence on Jewelry Design

Disosceles ring inspired by the CCTV building in Beijing.

Jewelry News Network guest columnist, Chris Benham, is co-founder and director of Inspired Jewellery Ltd., Wellington, New Zealand, a global creative studio for specialist jewelry design.  

Each piece of jewelry designed by Ian Douglas, design director of Inspired Jewellery, has a story behind it. Inspirations that only a creative mind could weave into works of art in such abstract ways. Something we can all relate to is the endless inspiration that travel provides. Some people keep a diary to recount their travels, some take thousands of photos. Ian designs jewelry that acts as a visual journal of his travels, taking inspiration from what he has seen and turning this into beautifully crafted pieces.

A recurring theme seen in Ian’s jewelry is architecture from around the globe. Not surprising, as Ian’s original ambition was to become an architect. It is clear that the passion's still there as it influences many of his designs. Each ring design is like a mini building. Like buildings, they are complex structures that must hold together and form a function while still looking beautiful and aesthetically balanced on the hand. As architecture takes many forms in different cultures and contexts, each piece of jewelry is unique and serves as a real reminder of the places Ian has traveled.

In Beijing, a true marvel of architecture is the new CCTV building designed by Dutch and German architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren of OMA. As Ian travelled to Beijing a number of times while working on a contract with Hiersun’s I Do stores in China, the striking design of the building continued to resonate with him; the offset form, cantilevered structure and overhanging center begged to be transformed into a ring. The resulting Disosceles ring (top photo) plays with rigid form and lines, yet blends perfectly around the finger; an architecturally-inspired wonder and a lasting memory of Beijing.

The CCTV building

In New York, inspiration is on every corner - you only need to look up. The Empire ring is one of the mementos of Ian’s time in Manhattan. The ring bears a style and energy that can only be described as quintessentially New York. “It’s a city that has a rawness and a refinement, incredible architecture and people, all interacting to create a feeling you can only connect to if you visit and, better still, live there. Inspired by the Empire State Building, the Empire ring is designed to distil those feelings,” says Ian.

A trip to Paris inspired the Pompidou ring. The Museum of Modern Art, with the services of the building placed on the exterior, is an exciting and visually challenging building. The wonderful contrast of line, color and movement is reflected in the Pompidou ring’s abstract patterns of contrasting gold and platinum, set off with a beautiful pear shape diamond, which serves as a collision of form and a design that exudes modern Paris chic.

A little closer to our home in New Zealand, inspiration taken from the scenery and landscapes of Australia that trace the origin of the diamonds in the Sol Ring are combined with the imagery of the sun dancing on the sweeping curves of the Sydney Opera House. Modern, urban architecture and rough outback terrain may seem like an unlikely combination, but one that epitomizes the beauty of Australia. The ring was created as part of the Terra Sol Collection designed for De Beers DTC Sightholder Diambel NV. 

The Leela ring is simply named after the hotel that Ian stayed at while in Bangalore. The architectural forms and exquisite detail in the hotel facade were enough to inspire this intricate ring.

Ian’s hometown of Wellington provides more architectural inspiration for his ring designs. The architecture of the Te Papa National Museum showcases a building that is a contrast of color and form. Using subtle color tones of palladium against white gold, Pacifica patterns of yellow gold and a blue topaz portraying the surrounding ocean, the Te Papa ring symbolizes the city. 

Ian’s travels and his appreciation of architecture are celebrated through his jewelry designs. As a designer, inspiration is gained from all facets of life; it is clear that travel and architecture is an endless inspiration source in the design of jewelry. For Ian, his visual travel journal continues to expand as he transforms wondrous sites into beautifully crafted pieces of jewelry, bringing a piece of the world home with him each time.

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