Why Le Vian’s New Animal-Inspired Collection Is So Zeitgeisty

By Victoria Gomelsky | August 23, 2022

Since the start of 2022, the tide of jewels inspired by animals—be they winged, webbed, feline, lupine, ursine, or serpentine—has been impossible to ignore.

At 1stDibs, the online luxury collectibles marketplace, sales of animal-themed jewelry grew by 300% from June 2021 to May 2022 versus the same period the prior year. The current boom in zodiac-themed jewels has also helped grow the menagerie. During Couture week in Paris in July, Boucheron introduced Elsewhere, a collection brimming with gazelle rings, butterfly brooches, toucan bangles, and more.

Le Vian hummingbird brooch — Le Vian’s Exotics hummingbird pendant in 18k Strawberry Gold with 0.5 ct. t.w. green garnets, 0.75 ct. t.w. Blueberry Sapphires, Bubble Gum Pink Sapphires, Fancy Diamonds, and Vanilla Diamonds, $5,848

At JCK Las Vegas, Le Vian went all in on the theme. CEO Eddie LeVian introduced the brand’s Beautiful Creations collection with a statement referencing the pandemic: “After a turbulent two years, a primal desire to attach ourselves to life itself, to nature, and to a sense of rebirth has given rise to Le Vian’s Beautiful Creations collection, comprising original, artistic bejeweled iterations of nature’s creations that inhabit land, air, and sea.”

Le Vian dragonfly earrings — *Dragonfly earrings in 14k Honey Gold with 0.33 ct t.w. Costa Smeralda Emeralds, 0.33 ct. t.w. Forest Green Tsavorites, Vanilla Sapphires, Nude Diamonds, and Chocolate Diamonds, $3,548*

The collection comprises 38 pieces, ranging from $1,248 for an enamel and diamond-set dolphin pendant to $57,000 for a spectacular medallion necklace featuring two fish covered in scales of sapphires, emeralds. rubies, and diamonds. The collection, which is heavy on neckwear, is as playful as it is diverse. Animals not typically seen in jewelry—such as the rooster and octopus—come alive in resplendent designs that emphasize their colorful plumes and whimsical spirits.

Le Vian snake earrings — *Snake earrings in 14k Honey Gold with 1 ct. t.w. Blueberry Sapphires, $2,548*

“Le Vian has always offered a selection of animal pieces—butterflies, for example—but this is the first time we made a concerted effort to develop an entire collection, inspired by the Alive sentiment, one of seven sentiments we have forecasted will inform jewelry-buying decisions through 2023,” LeVian tells JCK.

Le Vian fish necklace — *Fish pendant in 14k Strawberry Gold with Denim Ombré Sapphires, Vanilla Sapphires, Nude Diamonds, and Blackberry Diamonds, $22,048*

“This means the full animal assortment now runs the gamut, from butterflies to dragonflies, hummingbirds and doves,” he adds. “Of course, elephants are iconic within Le Vian legend and history inspired by the historical turquoise piece within the family’s private collection.”