Lydia Courteille’s newest jewelry collection takes inspiration from Russian history. The Scarlett Empress collection uses Russian Empress Catherine II as its muse, which is evident in over-the-top sizes of rubellite tourmaline mixed with rubies and red enameled 18k gold. Why red? “Catherine II killed her husband to take his place,” explained the designer to JCK at the Couture 2015 show.
It took Courteille five years to collect all the impressively sized rubellites in the collection, and the designs themselves channel the opulence and craftsmanship of that period. And a little naughty surprise exists on the back of the focal-point stone in the choker: a carved scene of passion. Retail prices start at $8,500.
Editor’s note: Professional photographs were not available at press time.
A statement necklace from the new Scarlett Empress collection
An erotic scene carved on the back of a focal-point stone
The Style 360 blog is your editorial source for the newest jewelry, trends, market analysis, trade show insights, designer profiles, and more.
- Subscribe to the JCK News Daily
- Subscribe to the JCK Special Report
- Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
- Follow JCK on X: @jckmagazine
- Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
