The One

The Wildest New Creations in Jewelry Don’t Rely on Diamonds

A highlight of recent collections are pieces that use unconventional stones.

A recent necklace from Taffin is a showcase for two massive aquamarines.

Photographer: Joanna McClure for Bloomberg Businessweek

High jewelry was once the exclusive realm of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. But today’s designers use a wider range of gemstones, many of which are more readily available in larger sizes, to craft wild creations that showcase their ingenuity. New York-based Taffin, helmed by designer James de Givenchy, is already well-known for its unique pieces with exquisite gemstones and liberal use of colorful ceramic. But the brand has outdone itself with a necklace (price on request) that pairs turquoise ceramic with two massive aquamarines.

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