Anoushka Ducasse, one of London’s most prominent jewelers and a favorite of Rihanna and Gigi Hadid, has been championing animal jewelry since 2009 with vibrant amulets modeled after wildlife from around the world. Among her most popular amulets is the Lady Bird Locket, handcrafted in yellow gold and encrusted with 157 gemstones, including rubies, pink sapphires and black diamonds. Inspired by one of Ducasse’s own vintage amulets, the spotted beetle, a symbol of good luck, opens to reveal a secret hiding place for stashing keepsakes.
Ducasse’s other jungle charms include Edgar, a baby elephant with a moving head, legs and tail, inspired by a family trip to Elephant Watch Camp in northern Kenya, and Monty the Monkey, a charming miniature handset with 283 brown diamonds, ebony and lemon quartz. The latest addition to Anoushka’s genderless range is a pink sapphire flamingo, designed in collaboration with luxury online retailer Mr Porter, set in yellow gold with black diamond eyes.
Following suit in the high jewellery industry, diamond specialist De Beers unveiled its new Forces of Nature collection in January, bringing to life eight animals native to South Africa in a series of solitaire diamond rings. Featuring a hero gemstone at its centre, each animal is represented by an accompanying crown or jacket. For example, the lion-inspired ring features a beaded gold mane encircling a 5.09-carat warm white trilliant-cut diamond. Elsewhere, a faceted titanium jacket encircles a 3.17-carat Fancy Dark green-yellow pear-shaped diamond to form a rhino’s face, while the Buffalo Crown ring features pavé-set diamond horns atop a 2.01-carat Fancy orange-brown diamond.
Another leading luxury jeweler is Le Vian, a New York-based family-owned business known for its lavish depictions of nature: its dazzling Neck Candy collection features an array of diamond-encrusted creatures in the brand’s signature vanilla, blackberry, and chocolate tones, including horses, fish, alligators, and a ruby-studded honey-gold rooster.
When talking about Mother Nature, it is impossible to forget the dreamy creations of Victoire de Castellane, Creative Director of Dior Jewelry. Her latest Fine Jewelry collection, Diolette, features a tiny ladybird surrounded by vibrant flowers. The dainty necklace, crafted in pink gold, takes centre stage and pays homage to the gardens of Le Moulin du Coudray, near Christian Dior’s historic country estate, Milly-la-Forêt, and is finished by the Maison’s master artisans with pink sapphires and lustrous lacquer.
If minimalist style isn’t your thing, London jeweller Hannah Martin has just released a series of oversized rings featuring majestic eagle motifs. Carved in gold with Martin’s signature sculptural touch, the rings are on trend and an impactful addition to your jewellery box.
