New London Ring, Leaning Tower of Pisa Ring & French Kiss Rings by Tournaire.

This is my third post on the Dream House Rings (Villa de Reve) and Bijoux Architecture collection by jeweller Philippe Tournaire. I simply can't get enough of these remarkable examples of craftsmanship and jewelry design. Since my last post, he has added the following London Ring and Leaning Tower of Pisa Ring to his impressive collection of rings that feature the architecture of cities all over the world.




A new pure Platinum and Diamond Cité Carée ring:


Like all of the architectural and custom rings by Phillipe Tournaire, they are available in various combinations of yellow, rose, white gold or platinum. Fine cut or cabochon gemstones are available to set in any of the designs.

Also new is the French Kiss collection.

above: The French Kiss ring in platinum, set with a diamond solitaire

The jeweler has for always been fascinated by the buildings and other architecture, he is also inevitably captivated by the Eiffel Tower which is this tall and powerful Iron Lady proud up on her steel heels. Always curious, Philippe Tournaire has turned it inside out to observe her better. Then he sets precious gemstones in between the 4 square shaped corners of an upside down Eiffel Tour.


above: Eiffel tower rightside up and upside down.

French Kiss XXL ring, Amethyst and Diamonds in rose gold:

French Kiss XL ring, Blue Topaz in white gold:

French Kiss XL ring, Amethyst in yellow gold:

French Kiss ring, Garnet in rose gold:


French Kiss rings come in yellow, pink or white gold ring and platinum upon request. From 1190 euros.

Philippe Tournaire also has an architecturally inspired watch collection:



Most of these rings can be special ordered directly from Tournaire.
Contact info:
Email : eboutique@philippetournaire.com
8,rue Tupinerie - 42600 MONTBRISON (Siège) - Tél. 04 77 96 08 84
103, rue Edouard Herriot - 69002 LYON - Tél. 04 78 92 93 94
7, Place Vendôme - 75001 PARIS - Tél. 01 40 20 00 19

Learn all about the Dream House Rings here

18k White Gold Diamond Glove By Daphne Guinness and Jeweller Shaun Leane.

You may have seen a few images of this custom creation being touted as the "World's Most Expensive Glove" but it is so much more than that.


above: Jewelery designer Shaun Leane and his sketch of the diamond and 18k white gold glove

The artisanal creation, a collaboration between legendary style icon Daphne Guinness and fine jeweller Shaun Leane took over four years to be realized. Named Contra Mundum (translated as Against the World), the armour-inspired gauntlet is made up of more than a thousand grams of gold and is set with over 5,000 pavé white diamonds and was unveiled in a very dramatic fashion.




above three images shot by Nick Knight

The Piece
Weighing over 1,000 grams, the 18k white gold chain maille glove has striking diamond birds cascading around the arm, as though caught in mid-flight. The hand is protected with a bold 18k brushed white gold metal cuff, hand-forged and beautifully engraved.




Made in two parts, the cuff can be worn alone as a hand glove, or extended into an evening glove. Every detail in the piece, including the chainmail, has been carefully constructed by hand to ensure a perfect fit to Daphne’s arm.


above image from W magazine by Nick Knight


The Presentation
This collaborative effort was unveiled in typically dramatic fashion. The piece was exhibited by Jay Jopling of White Cube gallery, in an exclusive viewing in London, with Daphne lying in state only to be wakened by a kiss from director and designer Tom Ford as her fashionable Prince Charming.





Guests watched Daphne’s beautiful presentation of the piece - dressed in the bespoke glove and shrouded in white silk tulle, her lie-in state symbolised the concept of the objet d’art; Sir Thomas Malory’s compilation of the legendary tales of the Knights of the Round Table.





As the evening drew to a close, guests (which included Tom Ford, Suzy Menkes, Lily Cole, Livia Firth and Alexander McQueen’s Creative Director Sarah Burton) were presented with a gift bag containing a solitaire diamond and a beautiful message signed by Shaun and Daphne as a remembrance of a beautiful summer evening.

Information courtesy of Shaun Leane and images courtesy of Vogue Italia, W Magazine, Zimbio and Daphne Guinness

Jewelry That Grows On You. The Incredible Landscape Jewelry of Sarah Hood.

Artist and silversmith Sarah Hood combines miniature scale railroad materials like plastic trees, grasses, bushes and pebbles with sterling silver to culminate is one of a kind pieces that are nothing short of wearable art.







Her expert metal work and unique whimsical style is why several of the pieces from her Landscape Series reside in the Tacoma Art Museum's permanent collection.



Below are examples of one-of-a-kind sterling silver rings, necklaces and bracelets made with miniature plastic trees - some spray painted black-, tiny phony bushes, greenery and in some cases, gemstones. Beautiful detailing in the cast silver twigs and touches like bird toggles accentuate the craftsmanship in these unique pieces.



Many of the following fabulous pieces are available for purchase.











detail of above bracelet:







detail of above necklace:







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Her 2001 Living Rings actually used live plants and succulents in tiny terracotta pots upon silver ring shanks:





She also crafts beautiful cherry wood bases to display her rings:







Silversmith and artist Sarah Hood at work:



Sarah's studio and furry friend:



all images ©Sarah Hood Jewelry



In the artist's own words:

"For years I’ve been working within the intersection of archetypal form and the natural world, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from organic materials. In Landscape, I’ve taken a break from the real natural materials--leaves, pods, seeds--which have compelled my work for many years to create miniature, artificial worlds within the context of jewelry. Working with model railroad landscape materials lets me create tiny snapshots of the natural world, scenes that can trick the eyes into believing they are seeing something much larger. In several pieces, this deceit is challenged by the combination of these small constructed natural forms with full scale, cast sterling branches, buds and leaves which, in material, are equally unreal and illusionary." -- Sarah Hood, Jewelry Artist

In addition to her inventive landscape jewelry/art, she creates what one might consider 'more wearable' pieces in gold, silver and enamel. Earrings, bracelets and necklaces are available in her etsy store.