The “Carousel” collection centers on a motif where hard stone inlay alternates with round brilliant diamonds bezel-set in 18-karat yellow gold. (Image Credit: Sophie Sahara)
New York—Briony Raymond has launched a new collection exploring the use of hard stones.
The “Carousel” collection combines 18-karat yellow gold, diamonds, and a variety of hard stones in sculptural, puzzle-like compositions.
The hard stones used include onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
“I was drawn to hard stones because of their rich history in vintage jewelry and the immediate sense of character they bring - their natural variation, depth, and saturated color make each one feel distinct,” said Raymond, founder and designer of her namesake brand.
“I loved allowing those qualities to lead the design and using them in a more architectural way throughout Carousel. The stones create contrast and structure, pairing bold, graphic materials with the softness and brilliance of diamonds and gold.”
Each of the 15 styles feature modular forms, shifting structures, and intricate details that evoke the satisfaction of watching elements click seamlessly into place.
The brand said Raymond found inspiration in the tactile beauty of analog objects.
There are earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces all designed to be layered together and naturally integrated into a client’s existing collection while introducing hard stones as a new material.
Carousel does this by referencing signature silhouettes from the brand and exploring the interplay of the form and proportion of a piece.
Raymond, who also curates vintage jewelry from storied houses, added subtle references to vintage design in the collection. However, these nods to the past have been reinterpreted through a distinctly modern, material-driven lens.
A “Carousel” necklace featuring tiger’s eye and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold ($36,000)
The “Carousel” station necklace was designed as a continuous sequence of sculptural gold bar links that alternate with geometric stations.
Here, round brilliant diamonds are bezel-set between the hard stone inlays and gold bars.
A pair of “Carousel” earrings featuring turquoise and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold ($11,850)
The “Carousel” tiered earrings center on the sculptural bar motif as the hard stone inlays and diamond accents are flanked by gold bars.
The brand said this form creates a layered interplay of shape and dimension.
A “Carousel” collar showcasing onyx, coral, mother-of-pearl, and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold ($99,500)
The “Carousel” fringe collar is a standout offering in the collection.
It also alternates between the gold bars and hard stone inlays, this time as motifs that suspend from gold bails and move to create a fluid effect.
This style is one of two offerings that utilize more than one type of hard stone in a single piece.
A “Carousel” ring with onyx, coral, and diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold ($18,500)
The “Carousel” tiered ring is the other style that uses multiple hard stones inlayed in gold.
Here, the motif transforms into a two-tier offset silhouette, available in coral and mother-of-pearl, onyx and mother-of-pearl, coral and onyx, or turquoise and mother-of-pearl.
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Overall, a dynamic balance is seen throughout the collection, opacity and luminosity, structure and fluidity, precision and softness.
The moving puzzle-like pieces in Carousel reflect the evolving rhythm of daily life, said the brand, the beauty found in the spin between moments.
The Carousel collection retails from $1,950 to more than $100,000.
It debuted last week and is available both in-person at the Briony Raymond atelier in New York City and on the brand’s website.
