Aaah, jewels. We love them. As the ultimate jewellery enthusiast, Elizabeth Taylor famously said: “You can’t cry on a diamond’s shoulder, and diamonds won’t keep you warm at night, but they’re sure fun when the sun shines.” And while winter may be creeping in, the sun is still shining. So here is Currency’s edit of some of the loveliest jewels around right now.
FOPE Panorama Flex’it ring
There was a time when mixing yellow and white gold was considered a fashion faux pas. Not anymore. This yellow-gold Panorama Flex’it ring, featuring round brilliant diamonds set in white-gold links, proves exactly why.
Created by Italian brand FOPE, which has remained family-run since it was founded in 1929, this piece reflects the company’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. Based in Vicenza, FOPE is renowned for combining traditional techniques with contemporary design.
A masterpiece of both jewellery-making and engineering, Flex’it is FOPE’s patented system that makes 18-carat gold jewellery entirely flexible, exceptionally comfortable and easy to wear. We love the unapologetically OTT feel of this piece and the way it embraces the mixed-metal trend. Priced from R90,800; Charles Greig
Gold and pearl drop earrings
To bee or not to bee? The answer is always to bee, especially when it comes to these charming 18-carat yellow-gold and pearl drop earrings featuring a beautifully detailed buzzing bee.
The bee has long been associated with prosperity, abundance and good fortune, making it the perfect motif for a piece of jewellery. Equal parts playful and elegant, these earrings bring a touch of whimsy to any collection. Priced from R72,000; Charles Greig
Feast ring
If Cape Town-based jewellery designer Kirsten Goss asked us to drink the Kool-Aid, we probably would. We have long been fans of her bold yet refined aesthetic, and this Feast ring is no exception.
Crafted in 18-carat gold, the ring features a vivid cushion-cut orange garnet at its centre, surrounded by layers of rubies and tsavorites, a rare green variety of the garnet family prized for its intense colour, brilliance and clarity.
A feast by name and by nature, this is the kind of cocktail ring that will get you oodles of aahs. While traditionally reserved for special occasions, we’d happily wear it with everything from eveningwear to a crisp white shirt and jeans. POA; Kirsten Goss
Pomellato Nudo Rivière necklace and earrings
When it comes to colourful fine jewellery, few do it quite like Pomellato. Loved by many a stylish individual, including Jane Fonda and Cate Blanchett, the Milanese jewellery house has built a reputation for bold gemstones and a modern approach to luxury.
First launched in 2001, the Nudo collection remains the brand’s most iconic creation. It is famous for its clawless “naked” gemstones, which appear to float above the skin.
Marking its 25th year, Nudo continues to evolve. The Nudo Rivière necklace and earrings pair London-blue and sky-blue topazes with sparkling white diamond pavé circles in a playful, gently asymmetric composition. Crafted in rose and white gold, the necklace features a vibrant cluster of stones at its centre and an adjustable chain for a tailored fit. The result is jewellery that feels elegant, contemporary and just a little bit magical. POA; Boutique Haute Horlogerie
Bvlgari Tubogas bracelets
Oh, how we covet Bvlgari in all its guises. This latest chromatic take on the iconic Tubogas collection is no exception. The new collection includes three bracelets (alongside two rings), each bringing a bold burst of colour to one of the brand’s most recognisable designs.
Named after the Italian word for “gas pipe”, the Tubogas technique wraps precious metal into seamless, flexible coils without the need for soldering. The result is a bracelet that feels both sculptural and surprisingly comfortable to wear.
This time, Bvlgari has turned up the colour. Vivid rubellite, tanzanite and green tourmaline add jewel-like intensity to the collection, while the graphic geometry of the bracelets brings a contemporary edge. Bold, playful and unmistakably Bvlgari. POA; Bvlgari Boutique, Sandton City; Picot & Moss
Louis Vuitton Idylle Blossom bracelet and sautoir
If you’re going to treat yourself to a little something from Louis Vuitton (and we can all dream), we recommend a piece or two from the Idylle Blossom collection. It blends delicate flower shapes with the legendary LV initials originally created by Georges Louis Vuitton in 1896. In this new chapter, the monogram flower blooms across an array of fine jewellery pieces designed to be worn alone or layered together, including long necklaces, bracelets and rings.
We are particularly smitten with the Idylle Blossom bracelet and matching sautoir in pink-gold and diamonds. Elegant yet unmistakably luxurious, they bring just the right amount of sparkle and are the sort of pieces you’ll reach for every day, while secretly feeling rather fabulous each time you do. POA; Louis Vuitton
All images: supplied.