It’s still July, and vacation is top of mind. And why wouldn’t it be? Anyone who’s logged on to any form of social media has likely been bombarded with travel photos from the people they know (or wish they knew). That pent-up desire to get out in the world has been real this summer.
If it feels like everyone you know is in Italy, it’s because half of them are. And if they’re not in Italy, they’re probably somewhere along the Mediterranean.
While much of the Mediterranean Sea consists of European coastline, it kisses the western border of Israel, too, and that’s exactly where Orit Elhanati, designer of eponymous Danish brand Elhanati, got the inspiration for his latest collection, Mediterranean Rock.
A rock Elhanati found in Israel’s Sinai desert ignited the idea of a collection inspired by the land of her family. Through jewelry, the rock has been reimagined in varying shapes, an ode to the mountains and cliffs of the Mediterranean region.
Comprising necklaces, earrings, and rings, Mediterranean Rock sees 18k yellow gold beautifully worked into a texture that you might believe could really be found in nature and adorned with gemstones like emerald, sapphire, citrine, and white topaz, as well as diamonds.
Handmade in the brand’s Copenhagen atelier, the jewelry is created using hammering, burning, and dripping techniques, which bear the results we are treated to here.
“Each piece I create is inspired by different places and people. I love using elements that I find from my trips around the world that highlight the relationship between humans and the natural environment,” says Elhanati. “With the Mediterranean Rock collection, there are elements of the sea and the mountains that have been worked into the gold, to give that special texture.”
The collection is available now from the Elhanati website, as well as at Bergdorf Goodman and Andreas Murkudis. Prices start around $1,140 (£870).
Top: Muse earrings in 18k yellow gold with orange sapphires, $1,276; Elhanati
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