The Mediterranean, the cradle of Western civilization, has been the epicenter of countless cultures for centuries. It’s no wonder that this region is steeped in myths and legends. In ancient Greece, Poseidon, the mighty god of the sea, reigned supreme over the Mediterranean’s vast expanse.
Accompanying him were the Nereids, the 50 enchanting daughters of Doris and Nereus. Among them was Iaera, whose name graces this collection. The Nereids were stunningly beautiful; they symbolise the gentleness and beauty of the sea, serving as protectors of fishermen and sailors. Residing in the depths of the sea within a golden palace, these divine maidens were often depicted in ancient art as youthful, ethereal figures riding on the backs of dolphins and other sea creatures.
The gems in this collection are elongated, pencil-shaped, a form that some gemstones naturally take as they grow. In ancient times, this shape was often favoured in jewellery-making because it was easy to transform these naturally elongated gems into usable beads by simply drilling a hole along their length.
The Iaera collection draws inspiration from ancient Roman necklaces, featuring elongated links and pencil-shaped gems. We chose unpolished blue topaz for its serene colour, reminiscent of the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean. Unlike the hammered links of the past, our elongated links are cast to achieve a more streamlined and three-dimensional shape.
This design harmonises beautifully with the pencil-shaped gems, creating a striking contrast between the polished links and the irresistible softness of the unpolished blue topaz, each with slightly varying lengths, resulting in a collection that is truly stunning in its simplicity.
