Posted in: Designer Spotlights
'Bee Ring' by Jean Schlumberger. Photo courtesy of Sotheby's, 2011.
According to Tiffany & Co., Jean Schlumberger (pronounced 'zhahn shlumberjay') was the most important jewelry designer of the 20th century. His designs continue to be employed by Tiffany & Co., and his engagement rings are among the most sumptuous on the market today.
The pictured ring features a stunning fancy vivid yellow diamond (11.13 carats) surrounded by a colony of bees fashioned out of yellow gold and white diamonds. From the top, the bees appear to be drinking the honey nectar of a yellow flower bud. This particular ring was purchased for $1.08 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2011.
Mssr. Schlumberger designed several ring styles using this bee motif, many of which would make lovely as engagement rings. In addition, he designed several engagement rings which have become Tiffany classics.
The most iconic are his flower bud designs. The first, called simply the Jean Schlumberger Engagement Ring, features a diamond-encrusted band in fluid formation which rises to meet a central stone of 1.5 carats. This 'bud' stone is wrapped in crisscrossing diamond-studded bands. The sparkling brilliance of white diamonds against platinum set in a natural floral form evokes heady romance and stately charm.
In another variation of flower bud ring, called the Buds ring, Mssr. Schlumberger incorporates tightly formed sepals rising up to meet a crowning diamond bud. The platinum band is encrusted with inlaid round diamonds. Another of Mssr. Schlumberger's famous engagement rings, the Rope ring, incorporates a large-carat round brilliant diamond ensconced within a web of twisted ropes of yellow gold.
Nothing says quality like a Tiffany engagement ring, and Jean Schlumberger raises the bar even further for those interested in the finest quality and most innovative designs of the 20th century. 10 years ago
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