Massimo Gismondi, creative director and CEO of Gismondi 1754 received the Couture Design Award. He was awarded for his unique diamond necklace for La Fenice, [The Phoenix].
The necklace is inspired by the magnificent, mythical creature that rises from the ashes. The phoenix that connects both Egyptian and Greek mythology.
Phoenix took over 500 hours to complete. With a team of top jewellers bringing the jewellery to life from sketch to wax mould. But then casting and hand-setting over 100 cts of diamonds in the Genoa atelier.
On a family holiday in St. Barths, Massimo spent hours under the incredible Latimer palms. He was enthralled by the expanse of leaves that blew creating a serene canopy and perfect majesty on the tropical island. So then the images of the Phoenix, the nest and the temple of the sun came to his mind. Before the glorious sunrise, each phoenix chooses a beautiful, secluded place to weave its exquisite nest. Preparing for the cycle of immortality.
His idea for this exquisite piece of jewellery came from descriptions in mythology of a huge, glowing bird emerging. With incredible plumage that also glitters in the sunlight, a brilliant feathered crown and magical abilities.
He was even inspired by the sacrifice made by La Fenice Maestosa as she creates the nest at the top of the palm tree for her successor to be reborn. «In addition to its extraordinary beauty, each reborn Phoenix is the immortal knowledge and experience of the difficult conditions of the past. Also a symbol of renewal, hope and possibilities of our destiny,» said Massimo Gismondi, CEO and Creative Director of the house.
Massimo crafted the necklace around an exquisite stone, a pear-shaped white diamond of 5.05 carat D 5.05. Two more rows of diamonds, one round and one pear-shaped, secure the necklace.
The feathers or branches surrounding the neck run from the central stone along and under the neckline. They represent both the wings and the flowing palm leaves where the palm tree builds its nest. Intentionally disordered, the 38 «wings» or «branches» are arranged at different lengths and in different directions. Some straight, some curved, some motionless, some with movement, and some overlapping. Over 64 carats in pear-shaped diamonds and 31 carats in round diamonds are set in the massive piece. It measures over 15 cm in length.
La Fenice debuted at Couture 2024 in the over $20,000 diamond category of the Design Awards and will travel to Gismondi boutiques around the world.
Source: goldbookmagazine.com
