AuctionsNov 10, 2021
Marie Antoinette Bracelets Smash Auction Estimates, Selling for $8MEvents & AwardsNov 12, 2021
A New Jewelry Exhibition Celebrates Jewels Inspired by Nature
Melanie Grant of “Black & Brilliant” fame curated the event.
“Salamander Brooch” by Lydia Courteille
London—Jewelry writer and curator Melanie Grant is delivering quite the action-packed season for jewelry fans, and across continents at that.
Fresh off curating the Sotheby’s New York “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance” sale, which featured works from Black jewelry designers from the mid-19th century to today, Grant has curated a new jewelry exhibition debuting in London next week.
“Force of Nature” marks a partnership between Grant and The Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery.
It will feature close to 40 pieces of jewelry that interpret naturalism.
The exhibition seeks to erase boundaries between jewelry and other art forms, featuring works from traditional jewelry designers like Bibi van der Velden, James Taffin de Givenchy, Lydia Courteille, and Wallace Chan, alongside jewels from artists known for other mediums, such as Ai Weiwei and Frank Stella.
Further blurring the lines, Grant herself has a jewel in the sale, marking her debut.
“The combination of artists Melanie has brought together signifies her determination to break down barriers between jewelry and fine art. It is a mission I share,” said Elisabetta Cipriani, owner and founder of The Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery.
“Any artist should be free to work in any discipline, and the enormity of nature as inspiration dwarfs any argument to the contrary.”
The artists featured in “Force of Nature” interpret the theme in myriad ways.
Ai Weiwei’s “Ring W” deals with concerns about migration, while Lydia Courteille showcases her work’s incredible technicality and her eye for fine gemstones in “Salamander Brooch.”
Grant commented, “We have a lot of firsts in this show from a collective cast of creative geniuses being exhibited together working in materials such as tiger’s eye, carbon fiber, fossilized ammonite, red bronze, and anodized aluminum.”
The sale will commence Thursday, Nov. 18 with a private reception held in conjunction with Serpentine Galleries.
Pieces will be available to purchase by private appointment at The Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery or over the phone until Saturday, Nov. 27.
Related stories will be right here …
Fresh off curating the Sotheby’s New York “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance” sale, which featured works from Black jewelry designers from the mid-19th century to today, Grant has curated a new jewelry exhibition debuting in London next week.
“Force of Nature” marks a partnership between Grant and The Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery.
It will feature close to 40 pieces of jewelry that interpret naturalism.
The exhibition seeks to erase boundaries between jewelry and other art forms, featuring works from traditional jewelry designers like Bibi van der Velden, James Taffin de Givenchy, Lydia Courteille, and Wallace Chan, alongside jewels from artists known for other mediums, such as Ai Weiwei and Frank Stella.
Further blurring the lines, Grant herself has a jewel in the sale, marking her debut.
These rings from China’s most famous artist, Ai Weiwei, explore the concept of migration.
“The combination of artists Melanie has brought together signifies her determination to break down barriers between jewelry and fine art. It is a mission I share,” said Elisabetta Cipriani, owner and founder of The Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery.
“Any artist should be free to work in any discipline, and the enormity of nature as inspiration dwarfs any argument to the contrary.”
The artists featured in “Force of Nature” interpret the theme in myriad ways.
Ai Weiwei’s “Ring W” deals with concerns about migration, while Lydia Courteille showcases her work’s incredible technicality and her eye for fine gemstones in “Salamander Brooch.”
Grant commented, “We have a lot of firsts in this show from a collective cast of creative geniuses being exhibited together working in materials such as tiger’s eye, carbon fiber, fossilized ammonite, red bronze, and anodized aluminum.”
“Alligator Bite Earrings” by Bibi van der Velden
The sale will commence Thursday, Nov. 18 with a private reception held in conjunction with Serpentine Galleries.
Pieces will be available to purchase by private appointment at The Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery or over the phone until Saturday, Nov. 27.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
