London’s best art and design fair featured plenty of stunning natural diamonds.
London’s premier design and art week kicked off today with the opening of PAD London in the ritzy neighborhood of Mayfair. Each year, close to 30,000 people arrive at the temporary pavilion that may look like a tent to passersby, but inside holds beautifully curated galleries. A long line of elegant rooms is joined together by softly lit hallways where collectors and design aficionados browse the very best of design from mid-century furniture to contemporary sculptures and, most importantly, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.
Previous years at PAD London have seen innovative designs from independent jewelry brands like Geneva-based Bohgossian, whose collection drew inspiration from history and architecture, and the storied German jewelry house Hemmerle, whose designs trace their Bavarian spirit with savoir-faire, technique, and beguiling mechanisms triumphantly applied.
This year’s hand-selected jewelers display pieces that invite visitors to reflect—this fair elevates design from the craftsmanship and ingenuity required to balance practicality with beauty to something more ethereal that requires unrivaled artistry.
PAD London: Taffin
Taffin is where diamonds meet the future. The jewelry house is leading innovations in jewelry design, with reverse-set diamonds between layers of multicolored ceramics and 18K yellow gold and nitinol.
PAD London: Salima Thakker
Cubic structure is contrasted with fluidity in Belgian jewelry designer Salima Thakker’s 18K yellow gold bracelet, which wraps softly around the arm, creating a high-octane, glamorous effect: diamonds in rhythmic movement.
PAD London: Glenn Spiro
True to his love for diamonds and gemstones romanced by the old world and evoking another age, Glenn Spiro presented a torque necklace featuring seven round brilliant diamonds with amber beads.
PAD London: Dries Criel
The Belgian jewelry designer Dries Criel showcased his love for experimenting with shape by displaying a sculptural bracelet featuring a diamond nestled into what is described as an extension of his signature style.
PAD London: Elie Top
Inspired by the characters in Dangerous Liaisons, Elie Top’s Merteuil pendant evokes seductive themes through its web of gold, distressed silver, and old mine-cut diamonds. It’s a stunning example of diamonds suspended in emotional intrigue.
PAD London: Villa Milan
Fifth-generation jeweler Alice Villa presents diamonds that channel the spirit of Milan, including a bold brown diamond ring designed and crafted in the heart of the city, which brings a unique Italian elegance to the wearer.
Image : Salima Thakker | Elie Top | Dries Criel
Source : Only Natural Diamonds