Those who plan to make a beeline for the Yael Designs booth at JCK Luxury 2019 will be greeted with new additions to designer Yehouda Saketkhou’s well-known Toi & Moi collection (an opal bangle from this series was one of the editor picks highlighted in the 2019 JCK Jewelers’ Choice awards—my pick, actually).
There will also be a number of designs that incorporate on-trend opals, marvelous aquamarines, and perfect-for-summer turquoise designs.
But amid the mountains of colored gemstones is something completely unexpected from the designer: a diamond fashion line called Yaelita targeting modern, self-purchasing women. But with absolutely no skimping on quality—all the Yaelitas are made in 18k gold, yet attractively priced from $1,086 to $13,725.
Saketkhou developed the collection with emerging designer Carolyn Simon. Both are based in San Francisco and met at a local art show where the young designer was showing her first collection. Over the next few years they kept in touch, and as Saketkhou saw Simon’s talent and business grow, he asked her to work a JCK show with him.
That’s when the two began to speak about collaborating on a collection that combined their aesthetics. Simon has a passion for metalsmithing, favoring light, delicate openwork patterns that embrace the intricacies of architecture, butterfly wings, cherry blossoms, and lace.
From concept to production, the collaboration took about a year and a half to complete. Saketkhou and Simon share a love of travel, discovering the design potential of various architectural details, and an appreciation for fine art and nature. They wanted Yaelita to embody these elements.
Top: Must-see pieces that Yael Designs will be exhibiting at JCK Luxury 2019, booth LUX412, clockwise from left: ring with 29.76 ct. aquamarine and diamonds in 18k white gold, $28,787; Toi & Moi ring with 1.6 ct. blue sapphire and diamonds in 18k white gold, $9,012; cuff with Ethiopian white opals, Santa Maria aquamarines, and diamonds in 18k rose gold, $74,034; Yaelita ring with diamonds in 18k white gold, $2,453.
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