CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High Jewelry
The “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
The coordinating “Eclipse” campaign was shot by acclaimed Dutch artist and photographer Paul Kooiker, displaying the white diamond suite (left) and the ombré spinel suite (right). All pieces are price upon request.
Amsterdam—Bibi van der Velden’s signature alligator motif is at the center of the designer's first high jewelry offering, the “Eclipse” collection.
Eclipse features familiar elements from the brand’s design language in designs it called its "most refined exploration of diamonds to date."
It comprises two suites with designs that are more abstract, precious, and architectural, the brand said.
One suite centers white diamonds, embodying light, the brand said, while the other uses an ombré of white diamonds to gray spinels and then black spinels to echo the changing intensity of light during an eclipse.
There are six pieces in each suite.
The alligator motif comes to life through a fluid silhouette created with intricate settings, exhibited most clearly in the articulated “Moonlight,” “Moonshadow,” and “Twilight” earrings.
The reverse sides of each alligator feature scales engraved into 18-karat white gold.
Eclipse features familiar elements from the brand’s design language in designs it called its "most refined exploration of diamonds to date."
It comprises two suites with designs that are more abstract, precious, and architectural, the brand said.
One suite centers white diamonds, embodying light, the brand said, while the other uses an ombré of white diamonds to gray spinels and then black spinels to echo the changing intensity of light during an eclipse.
There are six pieces in each suite.
The alligator motif comes to life through a fluid silhouette created with intricate settings, exhibited most clearly in the articulated “Moonlight,” “Moonshadow,” and “Twilight” earrings.
The reverse sides of each alligator feature scales engraved into 18-karat white gold.
The “Moonshadow” earrings featuring an ombré from white diamonds to black spinels set in 18-karat white gold
The “Veiled Moon” ring in 18-karat white gold showcases an ombré from white diamonds to black spinels
The “Eclipse” necklace with white diamonds set in 18-karat white gold
The “Halo” bangle using white diamonds in 18-karat white gold
Van der Velden said creating a high jewelry collection allowed her to take everything she has explored over the years and express it in a new way.
“The alligator has always fascinated me, not just for its beauty, but for its strength, movement, and the extraordinary intricacy of its form. With Eclipse, I wanted to take those familiar elements and transform them into something more abstract and sculptural,” said van der Velden.
“The diamonds and spinels bring another dimension to this, capturing that fleeting moment when light gives way to darkness. It's a collection about transformation, which has always been at the heart of my work.”
Each of the 12 pieces were entirely handmade at the brand’s atelier.
There are necklaces, bangles, rings, and earrings across the light and dark suites.
Each diamond was custom cut into shapes that follow the curves and proportions of the designs in Eclipse, including step cuts and baguettes.
White gold was chosen to complement the diamonds and smoky tones of the spinels, said the brand.
Alongside the debut of the Eclipse collection on Nov. 6 was the launch of its accompanying campaign.
Acclaimed Dutch artist and photographer Paul Kooiker shot the campaign’s imagery and two films.
Kooiker’s approach to portraiture and light highlighted the Eclipse collection’s exploration of luminosity, shadow, and transformation, said the brand, bringing the pieces to life.
Each portrait echoes the phases of an eclipse and highlights the gradual ombré of the Eclipse collection.
The Eclipse collection is available at the Bibi van der Velden flagship store in Amsterdam and by private appointment internationally.
It can be previewed on the Bibi van der Velden website.
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