Look What Happens When Annoushka Gives Peridot A Go

By Amy Elliott | August 05, 2021

It’s Leo season—the jewelry industry sure has a lot of them! For those born in August, spinel is the alternative birthstone—and it’s trending hard—while peridot remains the OG.

And British jeweler Annoushka Ducas, whose Annoushka line has earned her the distinction of MBE (member of the Order of the British Empire), has just done something truly marvelous with the gem.

This week, in collaboration with Fuli Gemstones—which owns the Yiqisong Nanshan peridot mine located in China’s Jilin Province—Ducas unveiled a special suite of transformable jewels showcasing the green gem, all made in 18k gold with malachite and pink sapphire accents.

“I have always loved peridot, so it’s been a privilege working with Fuli Gemstones on this collection, designing with some of the best quality peridot in the world,” said the designer in a statement. “I had little idea it had such a rich history going back to the ancient Egyptians and Cleopatra herself. [She] believed peridot represented hope and courage; it was known as the gem of the sun—a message that feels particularly pertinent in 2021.”

With this symbolism in mind, Ducas has fittingly christened the suite the Radiance collection. It’s inspired by the unique vibrant green of the peridot that hails from this particular mine, a color that alternately reminds the designer of the African plains and the South Downs of Sussex, England.

Ducas also looked to the design conventions of the art deco period as a staring point.

“One of the things I love about art deco is its total balance and symmetry—it’s extravagant yet completely pared back,” said Ducas. “I designed my engagement ring in this style 30 years ago and I haven’t ever taken it off—it’s completely timeless and a big inspiration for this peridot collection.”

The suite includes two pairs of earrings (one is pictured at top). The pair below converts to simple stud earrings when you detach the drop element, so the suite effectively delivers three different earring looks.

Annoushka x Fuli Gemstones earrings — *Radiance collection drop earrings*

Annoushka x Fuli Gemstones studs — *Radiance collection studs*

A handsome, articulated choker with princess-cut peridot stations can be worn on its own or with a long three-tier pendant.

Annoushka x Fuli Gemstones choker and pendant — *Radiance collection necklace and pendant*

Meanwhile, the cocktail ring unclips from its shank to become a single pendant that can be worn on the choker as a single centerpiece.

Annoushka x Fuli Gemstones ring — The Radiance collection cocktail ring features a large octagon-cut Fuli peridot as its centerpiece. This element unclips from its shank, revealing a hidden bail that transforms the piece into a pendant (pictured below).

Annoushka x Fuli Gemstones single pendant — *The Radiance collection pendant, with its graphic tabletop design, converts to a ring (pictured above).*

Last spring, I covered a Fuli Gemstones design collab with the up-and-coming British designer Zeemou Zeng, and now we have this gorgeous Annoushka suite…well, now I can’t wait to see the next installment. (Hey, how about a jeweler from the British TV show All That Glitters, now available on HBO Max?) Good things seem to happen when designers give peridot a go!

Top: The Annoushka x Fuli Gemstones Radiance collection, price on request, is being sold as a suite that includes these four-tier drop earrings. It will be available for purchase in September.

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