WINNER: ANDREW GEOGHEGAN, CANNELE CABOCHON. We all love fine jewellery with a twist, and that is exactly what Andrew Geoghegan’s Cannelé Cabochon collection of rings delivers, quite literally. Viewed from above, the set of rings look like traditional gemstone clusters, but take a closer look at the craftsmanship going on below the gems and you’ll find elegantly twisted, handfluted yellow or rose gold settings. The coloured gemstones at the heart of these designs also offer something different as Andrew Geoghegan, which unveiled a new brand identity at IJL, has chosen cabochons over facets. The smooth and juicy gems on offer include tanzanite, rubellite, amethyst, tourmaline and mandarin garnet, and each is looped by a circle of round brilliant diamonds. Each of the luxurious rings, as with all the brand’s collections, is made in Britain and would make a perfect anniversary gift for customers who have already said ‘I do’ with the brand’s Cannelé engagement ring and wedding band set. As well as impressing the judges, the Cannelé Cabochon collection found favour with readers, winning 41.5% of the votes online.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: MARCO BICEGO, LUNARIA AQUAMARINE. If there has been one colour of gemstone to buy into this year, it has been blue, which made the launch of Marco Bicego’s Lunaria Aquamarine at Baselworld 2015 right on time. The collection is an update of the Italian brand’s existing bestselling collection Lunaria, with the Italian brand’s goldsmiths adding slices of raw aquamarine. The Lunaria Aquamarine collection has been a global hit, accounting for more than a quarter of the brand’s total sales this year, and has been very well received by retailers in the UK. “It has been very successful,” says Marco Bicego UK distributor Stephen Dewhirst. “Our sales to date are some 44% higher than last year, and we have opened nine new doors this year, which now makes 44 doors in the UK and Ireland, plus our concessions in Harvey Nichols and Harrods in London.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED: ALEX MONROE, TEENY TINY. This year there has been a real trend for delicate, solid yellow gold jewellery that allows consumers to buy into precious jewels at more accessible price points. And this is exactly what Alex Monroe’s Teeny Tiny collection is all about. The 18ct gold range was first launched in 2012 but has been extended this year, offering fans of the brand yet more chances to collect some of its best-loved classic designs in tiny sizes. New to the line up this year are the Prowling Fox, Sitting Bunny, Moby the Whale (pictured), Plump Hen and Lucky Twig Horseshoe. The team at Alex Monroe say this extension to the Teeny Tiny collection has been long awaited by its fans, and describes the jewels as “super cute and ultra special, guaranteed to be met with a ‘coo’ from all who lay their eyes upon them”.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: BEE GODDESS, FEATHER. Turkish jewellery designer Ece Sirin has been causing quite a stir among well-heeled shoppers with her luxury jewellery brand Bee Goddess. The brand has stockists in Italy, South Korea, Dubai and the US, as well as Turkey, where it has three own-brand stores. In London, it calls Fenwick, Harrods and The Talisman Gallery at Harvey Nichols home, and it was with one of these stockists that it decided to exclusively launch the Feather collection this autumn. The 14ct rose gold collection, which launched at Harrods and comprises necklaces, ear cuffs, rings and bracelets, is inspired by the form of feathers, with Sirin describing it as “symbolising protection, freedom, truth and balance”.
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