These four fine jewelry brands, all hailing from different parts of the globe, have gained retailers and recognition in the US with their authentic and original designs.
Celine Daoust: Modern amulets
Celine Daoust combines her passion for the history and energy of stones with her goldsmithing talent to create soulful, spiritual and universally meaningful jewelry. She spends her time between India and Belgium, and says: “I am always excited to see what stones I will find and what fresh influences I will discover.” Her jewels are delicate yet empowering, with the feel of sacred amulets. She is not afraid to experiment with new techniques or mix cultures. Her most popular collection is entitled Stars & Universe and draws on celestial motifs. First created 10 years ago, it is still one of the company’s strongest sellers. Daoust’s jewelry appeals to collectors who appreciate both symbolism and the inherent beauty of natural gemstones. “The US is a flourishing market, always open to new pieces and ideas, which allows me to experiment with my creativity and unique gemstones,” she explains. US retailers include Twist, Peridot, Metalmark, Art & Soul and Esqueleto.
Francesca Villa: Found treasures
“I create jewelry that values sentimentality and history,” explains Italian-born Francesca Villa. “I use vintage and antique objects in my pieces, and my designs often contain hidden details. I love the idea that there is a secret the owner can choose to reveal or to keep [as] their own.” Objects such as vintage poker chips, antique stamps, old buttons and antique Essex crystal are elevated to luxe pieces that are sometimes tongue-in-cheek, often unexpected, yet always superbly crafted. Villa’s designs are made with the finest responsibly sourced gemstones and recycled gold. Her Being Crystal collection, which features vintage and antique crystals, and the Close Encounters collection, which utilizes contemporary carved and painted crystals, are fast becoming the brand’s most iconic designs. “American clients are bold and are happy to invest in independent brands when they find a true connection with the craftsmanship and narrative,” Villa reports. “There is also a lovely sense of playfulness and poetry amongst many of our US-based consumers.” She is currently selling to Twist, Tiny Gods and Kick Pleat in the US.
Le Sibille: Magical mosaics
Le Sibille continues the centuries-old Roman tradition of micro mosaics, in which small pieces (tesserae) of glass are fitted together by hand to create a motif or pattern — an artisanal and religious tradition preserved by Vatican craftsman. This painstakingly detailed craft was rejuvenated in the 1990s by Francesca Neri Serneri, Camilla Bronzini and Antonella Perugini. The three have contemporized this magical art with colorful gemstones. Miniature jewels depict interpretations of Greco Roman, Byzantine, Renaissance and baroque art. “We celebrate the past while continually looking toward the future,” says Neri Serneri. The brand’s most recognizable creation — a ring that is an homage to the House of the Golden Bracelet in Pompeii — depicts birds in a garden. Only recently, after years of European and Middle Eastern recognition, has the brand begun to sell in the US. Images from nature and flowers in architectural shapes are what appeal most to the American consumer in retail stores such as Twist, Lido Jewelers, Borsheims and Bergdorf Goodman. The brand’s expansion into the US market is “a great opportunity to bring a lost art that represents beauty, heritage and history to today’s and tomorrow’s consumers.”
State Property: Architectural esthetics
“Our pieces are architectural with an Art Deco influence,” explains Afzal Imram, co-founder of Singapore-based State Property, who works with his partner in business and life, wife Lin Ruiyin, the designer of the collection. “Most pieces have a strong graphic or geometric [design] for a style that is simultaneously striking and subtle,” continues Imram, who is responsible for branding and marketing. Signature creations include the Baret Signet Ring, which was designed originally as Ruiyin’s engagement ring. “I once almost sold it off my finger but couldn’t, so I copied it for the customer and the collection,” says Ruiyin. It features a brilliant pear-cut diamond set into a cushion-shaped face, a double halo of diamonds and stripes of enamel. The Battuta Enchantress ring and pendant are also iconic pieces due to their geometric forms, enamel details and emerald-cut vivid gemstone centers. The duo feel that the collection most appeals to the customer who appreciates contemporary art and architecture, and who is looking for jewelry to wear every day, and say the American market is more open to originality and independent designers. State Property sells in the US at Twist, Reinhold Jewelers, The Seven West Village and The Conservatory.
Main image: Francesca Villa vintage loose zodiac crystals. (Francesca Villa)
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