The One Diamond Parure

Vyacheslav Vasiliev

Interview about The One Diamond Parure, winner of the A' Jewelry Design Award 2016

About the Project

The "One and Only" is a 100% handmade and hand-assembled diamond parure which consists of a necklace, ring, bracelet and earrings. It's made of yellow, white and rose gold, diamonds, yellow sapphires, pearls and includes 147 unique fragments. The parure represents a combination of a timeless design and fine craftsmanship and symbolizes the idea of interweaving of life and creativity in artistic person. The jewelry suite is made for the most special occasions and is fit for a Queen. Exclusively and uniquely made, the parure will carry the value and admiration through generations.

Design Details
  • Designer:
    Vyacheslav Vasiliev
  • Design Name:
    The One Diamond Parure
  • Designed For:
    Vyacheslav Vasiliev
  • Award Category:
    A' Jewelry Design Award
  • Award Year:
    2016
  • Last Updated:
    November 21, 2024
Learn More About This Design

View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.

View Design Details
Your masterful creation of The One and Only Diamond Parure took five years to complete - could you walk us through the journey of crafting 147 unique hand-made fragments and how this meticulous process shaped your artistic vision?

Creating The One and Only Diamond Parure was an extraordinary, five-year journey of innovation and determination. It all started with a vision: to craft a masterpiece that would redefine jewelry design. To realize this vision, I delved deeply into research, exploring the nuances of light, geometry, and the emotional impact of diamonds. I sketched innumerable designs, continually refining my concept until I had perfected the blueprint for 147 unique, handcrafted pieces.

The intricate interweaving of laurel branches forming the infinity symbol in The One and Only Diamond Parure carries profound symbolism - what inspired you to incorporate these elements, and how do they reflect your philosophy about the intersection of life and creativity?

I am incredibly proud of The One and Only diamond parure, a jewelry set submitted to a competition. Unique in both design and execution, the set is entirely handmade. Instead of using modern computer programs, I sketched everything by hand to truly connect with the design. I created miniature jewelry elements, which I then sculpted and combined into larger pieces, resulting in a total of 169 individual jewelry items in this set. My goal was to create a timeless piece of jewelry that makes a woman look modern and radiant, regardless of current fashion trends. This set is for those who can merge contemporary fashion with a unique, antique design, enhancing beauty, personality, charm, and charisma. It combines eternal diamonds, antique styles with pearls, symbolic forms, and modern trends. The set is multifunctional—each piece can be worn individually or combined with others depending on the occasion. Even when worn together, all the items complement each other and accentuate the female form. The parure consists of four main pieces: a necklace, a ring, earrings, and a bracelet. The Necklace Crafted from three types of gold (yellow, white, and pink), diamonds, precious stones, and pearls, the design features elegant lines of small leaf-shaped elements that intertwine into larger ones. Several symbols are at the center: the number eight (symbolizing infinity), a heart (representing love), a crown (symbolizing spiritual power), tiger eyes (symbolizing forward momentum), and hanging diamonds and pearls (representing stars, water drops, space, and earth).The Ring Made from the same three types of gold, diamonds, and precious stones, its intricate lines form the symbol of infinity, with a large gemstone at the center like a crown. This central stone can be replaced with one that has special significance, such as the owner's birthstone. The Earrings Featuring similar motifs, they symbolize eternal renewal with half-opened buds. The Bracelet Incorporates the same three types of gold and diamonds. At its center, two symmetrical elements form a horseshoe, symbolizing good luck.

How did your background in architecture influence the multi-level design complexity of The One and Only Diamond Parure, particularly in achieving the delicate balance between the ring's sophisticated layers while maintaining its wearability?

My background in architecture profoundly influenced the intricate design of The One and Only Diamond Parure. By applying principles of spatial reasoning, structural integrity, and harmonious proportion, I created a masterpiece that seamlessly marries complexity with wearability. Layering Inspired by tiered buildings, I meticulously stacked diamonds and metalwork to achieve both depth and visual interest. Balancing Complexity and Wearability I carefully ensured the wearer's comfort, providing a seamless fit that doesn’t compromise on the intricate details. Material Selection Through meticulous craftsmanship, I guaranteed that each piece offers both security and comfort, making it as practical as it is beautiful. Synergy of Art and Architecture The One and Only Diamond Parure exemplifies the symbiosis between art and architecture. By merging these disciplines, I crafted a wearable masterpiece that showcases both technical prowess and aesthetic beauty. This version aims to highlight the relationship between my architectural expertise and the jewelry's design, emphasizing the balance between complexity, comfort, and beauty.

The One and Only Diamond Parure features an innovative combination of yellow, white, and rose gold - what guided your decision-making process in selecting and harmonizing these precious metals to achieve such a distinctive aesthetic impact?

Selecting the metals for The One and Only Diamond Parure was both an intuitive and deliberate process, aimed at crafting a harmonious blend of warmth, luminosity, and contrast. Inspiration Nature's Palette: Sunsets, the aurora borealis, and blooming flowers inspired the tri-metal combination. Historical Influence: Renaissance and Art Nouveau masterpieces shaped my approach to metalwork. Metal Choices Yellow Gold: Represents warmth, optimism, and vintage charm. White Gold: Embodies crisp elegance, modernity, and luminosity. Rose Gold: Symbolizes romance, whimsy, and subtle warmth. Design Process Visual Equilibrium: Careful allocation of each metal to achieve balance. Seamless Transitions: Gradual shifts between metals created a cohesive narrative. Modern Techniques: Elevating classic methods to meet contemporary tastes. Inspired by nature and artistic heritage, I blended yellow, white, and rose gold in The One and Only Diamond Parure. Through harmonizing contrasts in proportion, texture, and color gradation, I crafted a distinctive aesthetic that celebrates unity, heritage, and innovation

In creating The One and Only Diamond Parure, how did you approach the technical challenge of setting 558 diamonds and incorporating yellow sapphires across the suite while ensuring each piece could be worn independently?

Customization Mastery To meet clients' desires for personalization, I designed The One and Only Diamond Parure with adaptability in mind. Key features include Modular Components: Yellow sapphires are set in modular parts, allowing for easy replacement. Standardized Mountings: Uniform settings ensure seamless integration of new stones. Birthstone Customization: Personalized guidance helps clients select their birthstone. Personal Significance: Meaningful birthstones are incorporated to add a personal touch. Emotional Resonance: Creating treasured, bespoke jewelry that holds emotional value. Timeless Legacy: Crafting heirlooms that transcend generations, with each piece wearable independently or combined. This approach ensures that each piece is not only beautiful but also uniquely meaningful to its owner.

The crown motif centrally featured in The One and Only Diamond Parure makes a bold statement about uniqueness - could you elaborate on how this design element evolved to become such a powerful focal point in the collection?

The Evolution of the Crown Motif The One and Only diamond-rimmed crown motif is a thoughtful design choice symbolizing individuality and exclusivity. This motif draws inspiration from royal crowns, ancient symbols of power and distinction. Meaning in Design – Uniqueness: The crown motif embodies the uniqueness of its owner, symbolizing confidence, strength, and inner royalty. Time lessness: By transcending fleeting trends, the motif represents timeless elegance. Its strategic placement emphasizes the grandeur of the design. Cult Status: Instantly recognizable and desirable, the crown motif has achieved cult status. Heirloom Quality: The design reflects the quality of a family heirloom, a precious asset for many generations. Personal Statement: Wearing this piece signifies personality, confidence, and style. In believe this jewelry set could suit even a queen. This parure is truly one-of-a-kind and would be very difficult to replicate. It’s possible that someone may wish to purchase it and replace the central stones in the necklace and ring with large diamonds. This jewelry set has the potential to bring joy to more than one generation.

What specific techniques from your expertise in artistic enameling and filigree, as used by Fabergé, were particularly crucial in achieving the exceptional craftsmanship displayed in The One and Only Diamond Parure?

Faberge's craftsmanship has profoundly influenced my jewelry design. His mastery of technology, innovative spirit, and passion for storytelling through art deeply resonate with me. Enamel Expertise Faberge's enamel work inspired me to explore the interplay of color, texture, and light. Filigree Elegance His intricate metalwork shaped my approach to creating delicate, lace-like details. Attention to Detail Faberge's commitment to precision and craftsmanship has set a high standard for my work. Timeless Elegance Creating jewelry that evokes emotions and memories is central to my design philosophy. Legacy of Excellence I strive for exceptional quality and craftsmanship in all my creations. Honed Skills Through careful practice, I continuously perfect my techniques. Artistic Expression Jewelry making allows me to create unique and meaningful pieces that tell a story.

The One and Only Diamond Parure earned recognition with an A' Design Award - how has this achievement influenced your approach to creating future pieces that bridge timeless design with contemporary luxury?

Earning the A' Design Award for The One and Only Diamond Parure has profoundly influenced my approach to future creations. This achievement has reinforced my commitment to merging timeless design with contemporary luxury. The recognition has inspired me to push the boundaries of innovation and craftsmanship, ensuring that each piece tells a unique and compelling story. I am driven to explore sustainable luxury, integrating ethical practices with exquisite artistry. The award has heightened my appreciation for the balance between traditional techniques and modern aesthetics, encouraging me to create pieces that are both enduring and avant-garde. This journey of excellence compels me to continue evolving, honoring the legacy of classical design while embracing the future of luxury jewelry.

Could you share the story behind incorporating the symbolic heart and teardrops in The One and Only Diamond Parure, and how these elements contribute to the emotional narrative of the piece?

The heart and teardrop motifs in The One and Only Diamond Parure were chosen with profound symbolic meaning. The heart represents love, compassion, and the emotional connections that bind us. It's a timeless symbol of human experience and sentiment, embodying the depth of relationships and the warmth of the heart's embrace. Incorporating the heart motif was a way to infuse the jewelry with a sense of intimacy and personal connection. The teardrop shape, meanwhile, evokes the idea of emotional release—tears of joy, sorrow, or profound reflection. It symbolizes the cathartic power of our emotions, highlighting the strength found in vulnerability. The inclusion of teardrops was intended to acknowledge the full spectrum of human emotions, recognizing that moments of happiness and sorrow often coexist and are part of our shared experiences. Together, these elements create a narrative that is deeply emotional and personal. They transform The One and Only Diamond Parure into more than just a piece of jewelry; it becomes a wearable story that resonates with the wearer's unique journey and experiences. This design approach underscores my philosophy that jewelry should not only adorn but also connect, convey, and celebrate the essence of our lives.

Looking at The One and Only Diamond Parure as a complete suite, how did you ensure that each component - the necklace, ring, bracelet, and earrings - maintains its individual character while contributing to a cohesive whole?

To ensure that each component of The One and Only Diamond Parure — the necklace, ring, bracelet, and earrings — maintains its individual character while contributing to a cohesive whole, I focused on a few key principles: Unified Design Elements I incorporated consistent motifs, such as the diamond-rimmed crown and teardrop shapes, across all pieces. This ensured a thematic harmony while allowing each piece to showcase its unique features. Proportional Harmony Each piece was meticulously designed to complement the others in scale and proportion. For instance, the earrings mirror the elegant curvature of the necklace, while the bracelet’s intricate detailing reflects the ring’s craftsmanship. Functional Elegance While emphasizing individuality, I also ensured that each item is practical and wearable on its own. The necklace features a stunning centerpiece, the ring boasts a bold yet comfortable design, the bracelet has an intricate clasp, and the earrings are light and elegant. Visual Continuity The use of a consistent color palette and materials like yellow, white, and rose gold created a visual flow throughout the suite. Each piece stands out yet blends seamlessly with the others when worn together. Storytelling Through Design Every piece in the parure tells a part of the overall narrative of love, triumph, and timeless elegance. While each component has its unique story, together they weave a cohesive tale that enhances the wearer’s experience and emotional connection. By balancing these elements, I ensured that The One and Only Diamond Parure functions both as a striking ensemble and as individual, standout pieces.

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