Emeralds have long been associated with luxury and extravagance. Historically they have been used to symbolize wealth and prestige.
The rare gemstone certainly inspires awe. But it's a treat when designers bring a playful and creative approach to working with emeralds.
New York-based designer Kimberly McDonald, who is known for her asymmetrical jewellery with gemstone sets, has collaborated with Gemfields. She created a necklace and a pair of earrings using emeralds from the Kagem mine in Zambia.
After a career as a fine jewellery curator for private clients, McDonald launched her eponymous brand in 2007. Always focusing on the use of natural materials with the spirit of «creation without destruction».
«I hope that when people discover one of my pieces, they are not only enchanted by the beautiful gemstones and craftsmanship. I hope they are also inspired to be more careful and protect the planet. Which provides these wonderful little treasures that we wear as talismans of beauty and energy transmitters,» McDonald said.
Emeralds can range in colour from bright and intense green to shades of yellow. But those mined in Zambia often have a bluer hue. They give this mini collection a deep, moody vibe that is perfectly suited to the arrival of the colder months.
The irregularly shaped emerald earrings contain more than 26 carats of emeralds. The pear-shaped stones hang from a chain of smaller emeralds in a scattered pattern.
The McDonald's irregularly shaped emerald tennis necklace has a total of 34 carats. The pendant-style necklace also uses emeralds in the same scattered design. On a chain that ends in a pear-shaped gemstone drop.
The stones for these pieces were all colour-matched. A meticulous process that can take some designers months, years or even decades.
Gemfields said its proprietary classification system, which sorts colored gemstones into over 200 categories based on color, size and clarity, helps simplify the matching process for designers like McDonald.
«Admiring Kimberly McDonald's designs, we are able to appreciate the impact of color. The fresh, vibrant green is a calming oasis for the eye, while the playful asymmetrical placements allow light to dance through each gemstone. Enhancing the impact of these beautifully combined colour pieces,» said Emily Dungey, marketing and communications director at Gemfields.
«It is a pleasure to celebrate emeralds in this way, truly letting the gemstones tell their story.».
The Kimberly McDonald x Gemfields collaboration is available for purchase at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Source: nationaljeweler.com
