Interview about Elysian Necklace, winner of the A' Jewelry Design Award 2025
Elysian is a 750 yellow gold necklace featuring a main piece with an 11 x 7 mm vibrant green tourmaline and a faceted freshwater pearl. The necklace, made from a thick gold round wire, has a handcrafted clasp. The main piece, inspired by Art Nouveau, uses finely woven gold wire to create wing-like elements around the tourmaline. The 8 mm pearl's new faceting technique enhances its natural shimmer. This innovative piece celebrates nature's beauty and human craftsmanship.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsPearl Faceting and LuminosityThe newly developed faceting technique is based on the targeted processing of the outer nacre layer, which must be particularly thick and homogeneous in freshwater pearls. The faceted surface creates light refractions that do not obscure the pearl's natural shimmer, but rather enhance it. The result is a more vibrant, almost crystalline luminosity that casts the pearl in a new artistic light – without losing its organic character.
Art Nouveau as a Design BridgeWhat fascinates me about Art Nouveau is the combination of natural motifs and flowing ornamentation. The movement was both radical and poetic – and it was precisely this tension I wanted to capture in "Elysian." The wing-like gold wire elements are a homage to the lightness and dynamism of this era, translated into a contemporary piece of jewelry that doesn't appear historicizing, but rather thinks ahead.
Tourmaline as a Symbol of NatureThe green tourmaline represents vitality, growth, and connection to the earth. Its position at the center of the centerpiece—flanked by the gold wire wings—gives it an almost botanical aura. The color is reminiscent of fresh foliage, and the stone itself seems to glow from within. Thus, the stone becomes a symbol of the beauty of nature, framed in a design that brings this idea to life both visually and tactilely.
The handmade claspThe clasp presented a technical challenge, as it had to be both secure and aesthetically integrated. I opted for a solution that harmonizes with the round wire and blends organically with the line of the chain. Manufacturing required precision and patience – but the result is a clasp that not only functions but is part of the overall aesthetic.
Sustainable LuxuryFor me, sustainability begins with the choice of materials. 18ct yellow gold not only offers optimal processing properties, but is also durable and retains its value. The gold was obtained from recycled gold. The tourmaline comes from a trusted source. "Elysian" stands for luxury that doesn't come at the expense of the environment or people.
Wire weaving as an expression of movementThe gold wire weaving arose from the desire to combine structure and lightness. I experimented with different wire thicknesses and weaving angles until I achieved a form that was stable enough for the gemstone setting while simultaneously creating a visual dynamic. The technique is inspired by textile structures, but translated into metal—a play with material boundaries.
From idea to executionThe initial sketch already showed the combination of tourmaline and pearl, but its implementation required many intermediate steps. The faceted pearl was an experimental component that only achieved the desired effect after several attempts. The gold wire setting was adjusted several times until it held the gemstones securely while conveying the desired lightness. The finished centerpiece is the result of design, craftsmanship, and research.
Influence on future trends"Elysian" demonstrates that classic elegance and technical innovation are not mutually exclusive. The combination of new processing techniques and historical design elements could provide impetus for a jewelry aesthetic that is more closely aligned with material research and sustainability – without losing the emotional value that jewelry traditionally carries.
Expanding BoundariesThe faceted pearl was a step beyond the boundaries of classic goldsmithing techniques. The woven wire setting also presented new challenges in terms of precision and stability. These challenges allowed me to grow as a designer – not only technically but also conceptually. I learned that innovation often begins where the material seems to contradict itself.
Philosophy of BalanceFor me, harmony in jewelry design arises from the interplay of color, form, and material. Tourmaline adds depth, pearl adds light, and gold unites both. I work with contrasts, but never with contradictions. "Elysian" is an attempt to create balance—between nature and technology, between history and the present, between jewelry and meaning.
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