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Gemstone Spotlight: Victor Velyan
With a penchant for metallurgy and an attraction to gemstones with the best color saturation, designer Victor Velyan has created a collection of pieces with a very distinct look that he describes as “primitive but sophisticated.”
PHOTO Velyan’s 18-karat yellow and white gold cuff features multi-colored sapphires and diamonds ($68,200).
PHOTO Velyan’s 18-karat yellow and white gold cuff features multi-colored sapphires and diamonds ($68,200).
PHOTO These earrings with emeralds and diamonds are 24-karat gold ($18,480).
PHOTO This 18-karat yellow gold ring features a fire opal and diamonds ($24,710).
PHOTO Velyan’s bracelet with black opals and diamonds is made in 18-karat white gold and 24-karat yellow gold ($52,800).
PHOTO This pendant, a combination of 14-karat white and 24-karat yellow gold with silver, boasts zircon and diamonds ($52,800).
PHOTO These 24-karat gold earrings boast green and blue tourmaline as well as blue sapphires (price available upon request).
PHOTO Velyan’s golden pearl ring also features diamond accents and is made in 24-karat gold and pure silver ($6,670).
PHOTO This 24-karat yellow gold bracelet features patina over pure silver, a star ruby and colored diamonds (price available upon request).
PHOTO These earrings by Victor Velyan feature rubellite, white button pearls and diamonds with 24-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold and sterling silver ($21,040).
PHOTO This oval cabochon tanzanite and diamond ring is 24-karat gold and pure silver ($15,400).
With a penchant for metallurgy and an attraction to gemstones with the best color saturation, designer Victor Velyan has created a collection of pieces with a very distinct look that he describes as “primitive but sophisticated.”
Velyan started in the jewelry industry at a young age as a diamond setter and then a jeweler’s apprentice, and in 1995 opened his own manufacturing shop in Los Angeles to produce pieces for other designers.
He eventually created his own collection when he began experimenting with metals to create the looks now seen across his pieces.
In addition to crafting jewelry in gold and silver, he has developed a patina line, produced using his own recipes of mixing acids and metals such as copper, iron, zinc and cobalt to see the reactions and colors produced.
When talking about the process of making the colored patina, Velyan says, “a lot of designers are afraid of using anything but gold or platinum or metals like that. I’m not afraid to use any metal because all metals are beautiful in their own way,” adding that he is inspired by designers like Joel Arthur Rosenthal, better known as JAR, who uses aluminum and titanium in his pieces.
Velyan draws inspiration for the way he makes the jewelry--the hammered, bent and textured looks--from old world architecture, while the beauty of Europe and Africa inspire his designs.
Click through the slideshow to see 10 pieces by Victor Velyan.
Velyan’s 18-karat yellow and white gold cuff features multi-colored sapphires and diamonds ($68,200).
These earrings with emeralds and diamonds are 24-karat gold ($18,480).
This 18-karat yellow gold ring features a fire opal and diamonds ($24,710).
Velyan’s bracelet with black opals and diamonds is made in 18-karat white gold and 24-karat yellow gold ($52,800).
This pendant, a combination of 14-karat white and 24-karat yellow gold with silver, boasts zircon and diamonds ($52,800).
These 24-karat gold earrings boast green and blue tourmaline as well as blue sapphires (price available upon request).
Velyan’s golden pearl ring also features diamond accents and is made in 24-karat gold and pure silver ($6,670).
This 24-karat yellow gold bracelet features patina over pure silver, a star ruby and colored diamonds (price available upon request).
These earrings by Victor Velyan feature rubellite, white button pearls and diamonds with 24-karat yellow gold, 18-karat white gold and sterling silver ($21,040).
This oval cabochon tanzanite and diamond ring is 24-karat gold and pure silver ($15,400).
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