CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionCollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ Desert
The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Couture’s Design Atelier holds many hidden gems waiting to be discovered, and for this edition of Piece of the Week salt and pepper diamonds were uncovered in Cultus Artem’s “River of Heaven” necklace.
The one-of-a-kind piece tells the story of these unique diamonds through 26 diamond charms totaling more than 39 carats.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the more unusual diamond,” said Holly Tupper, founder and designer of Cultus Artem.
“What’s particularly intriguing to me about salt and pepper diamonds is that they’re like a miniature history lesson.”
There’s a thrilling origin giving each natural diamond its own story, explained Tupper, from the time that it takes to create a natural diamond, to the volcanic eruption that brings them to the surface, and the uniqueness of each stone’s carbon spots.
With less traditional diamonds trending, from fancy shapes to Desert Diamonds, the brand is emphasizing how the imperfectness of salt and pepper diamonds only adds to its beauty.
Throughout the 26 diamonds, some are more opalescent while others are quite dark and a variety of cuts were used to showcase each one in its own way, including marquise, portrait, carré, step, old single, and rose.
“I wanted every stone to be quite different but have a synergy,” said Tupper.
Each diamond is set in 18-karat yellow gold and spaced between Tahitian pearls. Meanwhile, white diamond pavé totaling 3 carats accents the bail of the charm as well as the clasp.
The one-of-a-kind piece tells the story of these unique diamonds through 26 diamond charms totaling more than 39 carats.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the more unusual diamond,” said Holly Tupper, founder and designer of Cultus Artem.
“What’s particularly intriguing to me about salt and pepper diamonds is that they’re like a miniature history lesson.”
There’s a thrilling origin giving each natural diamond its own story, explained Tupper, from the time that it takes to create a natural diamond, to the volcanic eruption that brings them to the surface, and the uniqueness of each stone’s carbon spots.
With less traditional diamonds trending, from fancy shapes to Desert Diamonds, the brand is emphasizing how the imperfectness of salt and pepper diamonds only adds to its beauty.
Throughout the 26 diamonds, some are more opalescent while others are quite dark and a variety of cuts were used to showcase each one in its own way, including marquise, portrait, carré, step, old single, and rose.
“I wanted every stone to be quite different but have a synergy,” said Tupper.
Each diamond is set in 18-karat yellow gold and spaced between Tahitian pearls. Meanwhile, white diamond pavé totaling 3 carats accents the bail of the charm as well as the clasp.
Tupper said she chose a strand of pearls with a gradation of tone in its iridescence to create a combination between the pearls and diamonds that she’s proud to debut during her first year at Couture.
The necklace’s design and its name, River of Heaven, was inspired by the folktale love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl who are separated by the heavens but reunited once a year, said Tupper.
In the story, magpies across the world learn of the lovers’ plight and take flight to the heavens, gathering to form a celestial bridge that is the Milky Way.
The Milky Way is realized in her design as salt and pepper diamonds cascading through silver Tahitian pearls.
The River of Heaven necklace debuted at Couture as part of the “Through Paradox” collection.
The necklace (price upon request) is available on the Cultus Artem website, that is if it hasn’t caught a buyer’s eye on the show floor.
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