Photo: Courtesy of Anthony Lent1/6Anthony LentWhen Chekhov wrote, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass,” was he thinking of Lent’s lunar jewelry? These congenial men-(women?)-in-the-moon, wrought in 18 karat gold and with diamond eyes, are deployed as rings, earrings, and pendants, and are so cheerful they would even make dour old Anton smile.
Photo: Courtesy of Armand Sarkisyan2/6Arman SarkisyanWhen I was bleary-eyed from a long day of showcase-staring, the exquisite diamond birds at Arman Sarkisyan really sang to me. Perched—sometimes solo, sometimes with a mate—on a golden bangle, or nestled on a finger, these finely detailed friends offer beautiful solace for times like these—and isn’t that what the best jewelry is all about?
Photo: Courtesy of Vanleles3/6VanLelesPretend you are at the museum. What’s wrong with ogling things you cannot—and will probably never be able to—afford? Just knowing creations like these exist—ruby ear bobs shaped liked post-modern fans, sapphires that pour from a spigot of diamonds—is enough to brighten the darkest day. (Plus, the proprietress, Vania Leles, who is African and Portuguese, is as striking as her work.)
Photo: Courtesy of Foundrae4/6FoundraeDid Sigmund Freud ever really say, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar?” Who knows? What we do know is that Foundrae’s charming cigar band rings, enameled in a wide range of bright shades, impart a vintage Havana-nights ambience (and make us fervently hope that the president will not reverse the long-awaited thaw in Cuban-American relations).
Photo: Courtesy of Elena Votsi5/6Elena VotsiYou might think that Votsi’s spectacular necklace is like something found in the Blue Lagoon. (Or maybe the Aegean? The designer is Greek.) Made of coral that has been painted black (clever!) and then, because that’s not enough, is enhanced with golden spikes, and wait—each spike is topped with a semi-hidden Gemfields emerald!—it is clearly intended for the red carpet. But I also sort of love the idea of a guy in a Speedo rocking it over his sexy bare chest on the boardwalks of Cherry Grove.
Photo: Courtesy of Neha-Dani6/6Neha DaniStupid me, I ask the designer if she favors titanium—which gives her delicate floral musings a moody glow—because it’s more reasonably priced than other fine metals. She informs me that it’s actually more expensive to work with. But on reflection, this isn’t surprising, since the results, slightly Goth in feeling, gloriously light to the touch, obviously don’t come cheap.
