Storied Jewels – Life in the Facet Lane

by Diana Jarrett GG RMV

There’s an entire world of reasons why people collect jewels; one could say there’s a unique motivation driving every collector. Accessories make a woman feel a certain way; cherished, or self-expressive, and whimsical or powerful are just tipping the iceberg.

COLLECTING WITH INTENTION

The motif of a certain piece can also be a potent draw to jewelry fans when something truly resonates with thoughtful collectors. This month, we’ve cast our gaze in the direction of the artful craftsmanship found in this carved gemstone brooch. For some of us, the sight of carved precious gemstones used in any form is an infrequent occurrence.

Transparent stones can of course be carved into sumptuous designs like this elegant doggie. But it takes a masterful artist to pull this off, naturally. One slip of the hand and its greatest potential is lost forever.

BROOCH FEATURING A RARE HAND CARVED MULTI-COLOR TOURMALINE WITH DIAMONDS IN PLATINUM; COURTESY GUMUCHIAN

Our particular brooch features a multi-color tourmaline. Some stones like the tourmaline are discovered with more than one color on a single crystal. This is because there were trace elements of other minerals in the area where the stone was forming. The result is always unique; so the talented artist can exploit this fascinating detail in a well thought out design as you see here.

THE SUB-TEXT

Is there another narrative to be told here, besides the nod to dog lovers? Absolutely. We dug a little deeper to learn the back-story of the creation of this delightful brooch. “We love that brooches are making a comeback,” notes couture designer Myriam Gumuchian, the creator of the Horus brooch.

“The dog brooch represents one of the four sons of Horus,” Gumuchian explains, referring to an ancient Egyptian religious belief, “who protected the vital organs of humans. The dog [deity] protected the stomach, and represented the “top dog” status of first place in any competition.” It’s the rich nuances behind jewelry like this piece that add a deeper layer of appreciation for serious collectors.

A JEWELER WHO UNDERSTANDS COLLECTORS

One of Naples most knowledgeable retailers, Bigham Jewelers understands the serious collector and what echoes with her or him. Classic craftsmanship, utilizing old-world techniques and quality gemstones certainly tops the short list. Add a delightful sense of charm to that list and you’ll discover something like the Horus brooch. Bigham Jewelers offers an array of high jewelry by Gumuchian, fancy that!