Green Envy

WHETHER THEY’RE BRILLIANT, BEAD OR CUSHION-CUT, EMERALDS COME ALIVE THIS AUTUMN IN NATURE-INSPIRED JEWELLERY

Astone believed to balance energy and attract prosperity, the emerald has been used since ancient Egyptian times to promote growth and well-being. This season, with perhaps a similar goal, maisons are pairing the gem with flora and fauna motifs, using the vibrant green stone as a focal point.

The latest high jewellery collection from Van Cleef & Arpels, Peau d’âne, dedicates an entire chapter to an enchanted forest, where emeralds feature prominently. The Forêt Merveilleuse clip comes in a colourful medley of emeralds and pink sapphires, while the Gâteau d’amour ring features a 4.48-carat Zambian emerald surrounded by white, yellow and brown diamonds.

Chopard created an extensive collection of jewelled animals to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2010, and creative director Caroline Scheufele follows up this year with a high jewellery timepiece, A Merry Monkey watch in the Red Carpet Collection. The model has a mischievous brown-diamond monkey perched on an emerald-set vine bracelet with sapphire berries, a mother-of-pearl dial and a tsavorite bezel.

At Bulgari, a fan-like motif unites the Diva collection, which takes its name from the glamourous movie stars who wore the brand’s jewels in the 1950s and ’60s, including Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. A riveting piece from the series is the Diva drop earrings in yellow gold set with six emeralds weighing 20.32 carats, complemented by rubellites, amethysts and diamonds.