More and more, designers are working with diamonds created aboveground. This past year alone, some iconic designers offered collections based on the most world positive choice possible in diamonds: diamonds sustainably produced in America.
This is good news for the jewelry industry, as the market tends to follow choices made by the creative talent. Designers and consumers are the driving force behind the rise in luxury jewelry collections with aboveground diamonds, which will create a shift in the jewelry industry.
Diamond Foundry has partnered with select designers who are sharing the inspiration behind their collections, as well as why they are opting for world positive diamonds. Here are four examples of some incredible collections showcasing the beauty and luxury of aboveground diamonds.
Jennifer Fisher
The award-winning designer and Council of Fashion Designers of America member created eight mismatched diamond studs that showcase the special diamond cuts created by Diamond Foundry
In Vogue, Fisher stated, “As we’ve grown, people have been asking us more and more questions about [the origins of] our diamonds. This new generation wants to know that no one was harmed [in the mining of the stones] and that they essentially have a carbon footprint of zero. But at the same time, we’re getting tons of requests for diamond stud earrings—so I thought now was the perfect opportunity to become more sustainable.”
When asked about lab-grown or mined diamonds, she commented, “If I had the option, I would choose Diamond Foundry. We’re finding that it’s not just the millennial customer [who wants them], either—it’s women who have worn mined-diamond engagement rings for years, but they want something new, and they want to feel good about it.”
Anabela Chan
The London-based designer has a prestigious background in architecture, fashion, and art, and her statement pieces have been worn by Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Salma Hayek.
Her high jewelry collection consists of three incredible works of art containing a total of 677 diamonds created by Diamond Foundry.
The collection was inspired by the everlasting charm of a poetic English garden and features the beautifully crafted Orchid earrings that debuted at the 2019 Golden Globes, worn by Golden Globe winner Patricia Arquette.
“It is about offering truly sustainable and ethical jewels that are inspiring and beautifully crafted with the highest level of haute joaillerie craftsmanship; works of art that are worn, loved, and treasured forever.” —Anabela Chan
Barneys New York
Barneys New York launched a capsule collection with Diamond Foundry diamonds featuring three highly coveted designers: Nak Armstrong, CVC Stones, and Eva Fehren. The Barneys team was drawn to the impeccable diamonds that were carbon-neutral and created collections that showcase the designers’ signature styles.
“I love what Diamond Foundry stands for. This collaboration gives me the opportunity to create something with a different focus than my eponymous collection, which is generally color stones rather than diamonds, and also to bring awareness to what is a truly ‘green’ diamond option in the marketplace.” —Nak Armstrong
“I was excited about having new shapes of diamonds to work with. I usually work with round cuts, so the diversity offered by the Diamond Foundry was a wonderful opportunity to try new designs. Their revolutionary process allowed us to work with larger pear and oval shapes, which I really enjoyed.” —Charlie de Viel Castel, CVC Stones
Jony Ive and Marc Newson
The (RED) Diamond Ring was designed by Sir Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer, and renowned industrial designer Marc Newson for the (RED) Auction during Art Basel and Design Miami in 2018. (RED) is the charity started by singer Bono and Bobby Shriver to help combat HIV and AIDS.
Consistent with their mutual obsession with transforming raw material into objects of value, Ive and Newson’s design was singular, clear, and uncompromised by the traditional metal settings and bands that have previously been required to create diamond rings. Theirs was created by removing material rather than adding—an ambition made possible by the extraordinary scale of the stone, which will enable the ring to be made completely of diamond. “We loved the idea of growing a diamond with the sole intention of transforming it into a ring,” says Ive.
The ring raised $461,250 at the Sotheby’s (RED) Auction. The proceeds went to (RED), and this was the first aboveground diamond to be sold by the iconic auctioneer.
For more information about Diamond Foundry and other designer collaborations, visit diamondfoundry.com.