If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives): jewelry

Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts

Graff Unveils The Most Valuable, And Quite Possibly The Ugliest, Watch In The World.

At this year's Baselworld, the annual horology show, Graff unseated Hublot as having the world's most expensive watch.

Call it a literal expression of life. Or just a very unique way to create an object that reflects your genetic makeup. Whatever you choose to call it, the customized products designed by Dutch DNA and created by by Frank Tjepkema's Design House Tjep., make the world's most personal gifts.

Dutch DNA has a creative process that samples a person’s life-code using a DNA profiling test and, through the language of design, plots the distinguishing genetic characteristics on a visual design map. Based on a unique design process, the beautiful and elegant forms which capture the eloquent expression of life, are then modeled into a specific item (furniture, jewelry or objects) before being handcrafted in the Netherlands and shipped to its destination.

The DNA patterns used to form designs can be anyone’s. Just like nature, combinations can also be used to create a unique articulation of a couple’s love or a family’s remembrance. “I see two lovers creating unique artefacts for their shared home that is truly a conjoint reflection of both individuals,” notes Frank Tjepkema.

Guilia:
The first display pieces were made from Giulia Wolthuis’s DNA. Giulia is a Dutch contemporary dance performer and model, and daughter of Eric Wolthuis, the founder of Dutch DNA.

The first collection was made from Giulia’s life pattern. To capture and express Giulia’s life, Dutch DNA sampled her life code and through the language of design translates Giulia’s distinguishing genetic characteristics into visual forms, such as the four pieces shown below.

Jewelry Designs from mapping Guilia's DNA:

In the collection are two types of designs. One is based on abstract forms, where each genetic map itself if the defining source of inspiration. The second combines the genetic maps with symbolic forms. The symbolic pieces are more constrained and the design incorporates the genetic characteristics into patterns that are used to modify existing forms, such as the Shifting Hearts. Both types of pieces create beautifully expressive designs; the preference of choice is purely a personal decision.

Each piece in this exquisite collection expresses the genetic uniqueness of its creator. Custom designed by acclaimed design house Tjep. and handcrafted by artisans from the finest materials, every item is a true work of art.

The Collection:

DNA JEWELRY
Flow Rings:

Bloom Rings:

Blossom bracelet:

Reflection pins:

Double Love Heart Pendant:

Shifting Heart Pendants:

Silverline Heart Pendants:

DNA FURNITURE
The Darwin table is crafted through precision 3D milling and hand-finished in the Netherlands by the same artisans that create Joris Laarman’s furniture. Eric Wolthuis initiated the investigation into how genetic patterns could augment design. “I first looked at jewelry, which is very personal, but knew there was more. Furniture is a natural extension of our desire to create original and personal habitats; what is more personal than modeling your home through your own DNA?”

Dutch DNA Darwin Coffee Table:

OBJECTS/ HOME ACCESSORIES:

Shifting Heart:

Porcelain Heart:

Helix sculpture:

To commission your own personal expression of life, review the collection and then contact Dutch DNA to arrange the first step in the creation process - DNA profiling.
Dutch DNA also undertakes tailored commissions for items not listed in this collection. Contact them to request more information.

PARTNERS:
• Tjep.
Tjep. are an acclaimed design house who fuse together peerless design with accomplished expertise in the latest production techniques. Internationally, Tjep. is recognized for their award-winning product, interior, architecture, furniture and jewelry design. Their iconoclastic work is defined by strong design concepts, beautiful aesthetics and great functionality.

• Tjalling Wolthuis
Founded in 1933, Tjalling Wolthuis is a fourth generation, family-owned business with a heritage as specialist art dealers in 17th century jewelry and silverware. The company ran a selection of jewelry stores until the late 1980’s, and now produces commemorative jewelry. As the production partner to Dutch DNA, their expertise guarantees the highest quality materials, methods and artisans are engaged in the fabrication of each piece.

• BaseClear
BaseClear is an independent and accredited service laboratory for DNA-based research. The leading laboratory in the Netherlands, they provide the fast and secure DNA profiling required for the initiation of each Dutch DNA project.

Eric, who has commissioned designs based on his daughter’s, his wife’s and his own genetic patterns, states “Seeing yourself and your family visualized in this way is very powerful, it’s a deeply emotional way of embodying everything that they represent to you.”

Dutch DNA
Breitnerlaan 6
3735 LW Bosch en Duin
The Netherlands
info@dutchdna.com

Pearls That Purr: Mikimoto X Hello Kitty Collection

Mikimoto is known to have the finest pearls in the world. What is known as a "Mikimoto Pearl" has been selected from only Akoya pearls of the finest quality, determined by the beauty of the pearl's luster, form, size and color.

The Japanese company has teamed up with Sanrio to bring us a small collection of Hello Kitty inspired pearl pieces. A multi-strand necklace, a pair of earrings, a bangle bracelet and a a single strand of pearls with diamond bow, available in various lengths.

The collection launched first in Paris in January 2014, then in Japan.

Necklace & Earrings set are sold together for a base price of ¥ 27,700,000 ($264,618.37 USD) and the cost with tax ¥ 29,085,000 (or $277,840.10 USD)

The necklace is made of multiple strands of luxurious Akoya pearls accented with diamonds, Hello Kitty's trademark bow made of deep red rubies, pave diamond encrusted yellow gold nose and onyx eyes.

The Earrings with french backs are made of luxurious Akoya pearls accented with diamonds, Hello Kitty's trademark bow made of deep red rubies, pave diamond encrusted yellow gold nose and onyx eyes.

The Bangle with pearl bow sells for a base price of ¥ 55,000 (or $525 USD), with tax Tax ¥ 57,750 (or $552 USD)

Lastly, the single strand of pearls with diamond bow is available in choker length (40cm), Matinee length (60cm), Opera length (80cm) and Rope length (120 cm). Prices upon request.

Information and images courtesy of Mikimoto.
dedicated website http://hellokitty.mikimoto.com

Time Wrapped Around Your Finger. The Ring Clock Becomes A Reality!

This award winning rechargeable time piece was initially designed by Gusztav Szikszai two years ago, sparking a lot of interest, with many people in various forums asking how they could get hold of one.

Mordaunte's Coffin-Shaped Gems and Jewelry specializes in semi-precious faceted gemstones, cut into a perfect 6-sided coffin shape by exclusive contract with an international gemstone company. Gemstones include colors such as Blood, Death, Shroud, Moss, Flesh, Scalded, and Pentacle. In stock sizes range from 3 to 10 carats.

"So far, I am the only one in the world that does this", states Mordaunte - owner, designer and creator (shown below).

In addition to the gemstones, she designs and creates finished jewelry in both men's and women's fashions. These include rings, earrings, pendants, and tie tacks, done in sterling silver as well as 14k gold. In keeping with the coffin-shaped design, purchases are even shipped in a cardboard coffin-shaped box. Mordaunte's clients buy her jewelry for costume decoration, funerary wear, immortalizing a departed loved one, wedding sets, and everyday wear with a "kick". "Most people don't realize it's a coffin shape until you tell them - they just comment that it's a beautiful stone", says Mordaunte, "When I mention that it's a coffin shape, they gasp - "That's awesome!". Many customers refer to her business as "The Morbid Tiffany's".

Mordaunte started her custom coffin-shaped gemstone "business" from her desk in her basement in the spring of 2000. She offered 3 different stone materials in two sizes. She then set up a internet service-provider website and went into business. Slowly, but surely, the business grew both in the USA and Internationally. More and more interest was revolving around her unusual gemstones, especially the idea of offering them in pre-made jewelry. Being in the IT field, she had never set a piece of jewelry in my life. However, after much research and "trial and error" she started setting her gemstones in oval and marquise pre-made settings.

As the business continued to grow it took on a life of it's own. Mordaunte began supplying jewelry to celebrities and rock bands that had found her online site. She was invited by the people at OzzFest to be a vendor on their tour. Radio stations and TV shows asked her for interviews. Haunted Houses, Horror Conventions and Gothic Nightclubs contacted her to be a guest and a vendor at their events. In 2005 Mordaunte re-designed the coffin gemstone shape to the perfect 6-sided coffin you see today and has added several colors to her line since then.

The coffin-shaped gems have made many a wicked woman happy and have been used as engagement rings, such as in the examples shown below.

A white topaz coffin gem surrounded by real diamonds makes for an unusual engagement ring:

above black glove image (cropped) © All rights reserved by Countessa Di Fangxious

Other jewelers use her stones as a source for their own creations, such as Lyndsay Brown of Idle Hands Designs on etsy who makes them into pendants, rings and cufflinks set in sterling silver:

shop for the above jewelry at Idle Hands

Coffin Gems and Jewelry Facts:
•All Coffin Gems are cut from genuine semi-precious stones such as sapphire and garnet
•The perfect 6-sided "toe pincher" coffin shape is exclusive to Mordaunte's Coffin Gems
•Each Coffin Gem is expertly faceted, polished and inspected by a professional gemologist
•Sizes are exact - weights are approximate (different gemstone materials weigh differently)
•Visit the Birthstones page for traditional and modern birthstone color charts
•Visit the Gemstones page for color choices and size comparison
•Each piece of jewelry is custom designed in Sterling Silver to hold the Coffin Gems, but is available in other settings upon request

Mordaunte's Coffin-Shaped Gems and Jewelry can be viewed and purchased at her online store - www.coffingems.com

Matchstick Diamond Jewelry Launches In Absolutely Adorable Packaging.

Launched by Britain-born Louise Carter, Matchstick is a new brand of diamond baguette jewelry. The five pieces in the collection, each of which are available in 18k white, yellow or rose gold, include a Boy, a Girl, a Dog, a Small Heart and a Large Heart.

Each represent universal symbols of life to the designer and each piece lives in its own house, a lovely oversized matchbox with sweet line art illustrations.