Earlier this week I had the pleasure of curating a bouquet of flower jewels, each an amazing spring statement that promises to stay beautiful year-round.
I considered including a number from Basak Baykal but simply couldn’t choose—I wanted to share them all. Originally from Istanbul and now based in London, Baykal fuses her two worlds into modern treasures by pairing ancient jewelry design practices of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar with the styles we clamor for today.
The jewels are undoubtedly fine—some are downright museum-worthy. Yet they have a crisp, modern attitude—thanks to mismatched details, asymmetry, and playful gemstone layouts—that I appreciate deeply. Many pieces combine handpainted enamel with pavé gemstones, and are crafted so as to appear dancing with movement (which is true even for the styles that are static). Through her work, Baykal shows us that fine jewelry, while luxurious as ever, can still be incredibly fun and free-spirited.
Her eponymous brand, founded in 2021, has a thing for flowers. Various species, from adorable daisies and forget-me-nots to fuchsias and violets, are all brought to life in gloriously colored gemstones. (All prices are on request.)
What could be better as we prepare for the official arrival of spring?
Daisy earrings in 18k yellow gold with cabochon citrine and 2 cts. t.w. diamondsForget-Me-Not earrings in 14k yellow gold with 9.45 cts. t.w. amethysts and yellow sapphiresForget-Me-Not necklace in 18k white gold with lapis lazuli, 14.4 cts. t.w. aquamarines, and 1.05 cts. t.w. diamondsFuchsia earrings in 18k white gold with 3.62 cts. t.w. pink and blue sapphires and diamondsOrange Blossom brooch in 18k white gold with 2.97 cts. t.w. diamonds and green garnetsDaisy earrings in 18k yellow gold with 2.62 cts. t.w. cabochon emeralds and 3.15 cts. t.w. diamondsForget-Me-Not earrings in 14k white gold with 1.8 cts. t.w. aquamarines, 0.7 ct. t.w. blue sapphires, 0.27 ct. t.w. diamonds, yellow sapphires, and pearlsHoya earrings in 18k white gold with baroque pearls, 3 cts. t.w. diamonds, and 1.93 cts. t.w. blue sapphiresForget-Me-Not ring in 18k white gold with lapis lazuli, 6.22 cts. t.w. aquamarines, and 0.3 ct. t.w. diamondsForget-Me-Not earrings in 14k white gold with 2.26 cts. t.w. green garnets, 1.65 cts. t.w. pink sapphires, 1.35 cts. t.w. amethysts, and yellow sapphiresViolet necklace in 18k white gold with amethysts, black diamonds, 4.81 cts. t.w. pink and yellow sapphires, and 1.05 cts. t.w. diamondsViolet earrings in 18k white gold with Tahitian pearls, 3.79 cts. t.w. pink and yellow sapphires, amethysts, and black diamondsForget-Me-Not earrings in 18k white gold with opal, 2.49 cts. t.w. aquamarine, 1.1 cts. t.w. diamonds, blue sapphires, and green garnet
Top: Forget-Me-Not earrings in 18k white gold with 14.2 cts. t.w. aquamarines, 2.5 cts. t.w. diamonds, and blue sapphires, price on request; Basak Baykal
