SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
TrendsJul 01, 2016
New Book Celebrates Thai Jewelry House Lotus Arts de Vivre
Assouline has released Unexpected Creations, which examines the history of the jewelry, home décor and art company that Helen and Rolf van Bueren created over 30 years ago in Bangkok.
Assouline has released the tome, titled "Unexpected Creations," which examines the history of the jewelry, home décor and art company, Helen and Rolf van Bueren created over 30 years ago in Bangkok.
Bangkok--“Unexpected creations” is a fitting description of the phantasmagorical jewelry and art from Thai company Lotus Arts de Vivre.
Newly released from Assouline, Unexpected Creations surveys Lotus Arts de Vivre’s most elaborate works created over the past three-plus decades. This includes intricate jewelry designs executed with a combination of precious and non-precious materials, as well as large-scale, surrealist-style sculptures.
Lotus Arts de Vivre looks to nature and culture for inspiration. Founders Helen and Rolf van Bueren have been known to travel as many as 200 days per year, sourcing supplies and collecting mental stimuli for their designs.
Some of the natural materials employed in the brand’s work include coconut shells, scarab wings, driftwood, ebony, sea shells, bamboo and seeds. The company uses precious materials like Afghan emeralds, Burmese rubies, Ceylon sapphires, East African tsavorite, Brazilian tourmaline, Baltic amber, Persian turquoise and Basra pearls from the Persian Gulf.
Nature and traditional Thai motifs are the predominant themes that unite their oeuvre of work.
“We know that perfecting the art of living is an unwieldy goal that can never truly be obtained, but we intend to enjoy ourselves as much as possible with our friends along the way.”--Rolf von Bueren
Unexpected Creations, written by JCK Editor-in-Chief Victoria Gomelsky, is available at Assouline.com.
The van Bueren sons, Goetz and Nicki, have now taken the reigns at Lotus Arts de Vivre.
Lotus Arts de Vivre looks to nature and Asian culture for inspiration.
Lotus Arts de Vivre is headed by the van Bueren family. Helen van Bueren, who is from Thailand, met her German-born husband Rolf van Bueren when he moved to Thailand after the Second World War.
The passionate travelers and lovers of culture began creating art when their sons went away to boarding school in Scotland.
More than thirty years later, the van Bueren sons, Goetz and Nicki, now have taken the reigns at Lotus Arts de Vivre.
Rolf van Bueren says in the foreword to Unexpected Creations, “We know that perfecting the art of living is an unwieldy goal that can never truly be obtained, but we intend to enjoy ourselves as much as possible with our friends along the way.”
Written by JCK Editor-in-Chief Victoria Gomelsky, the tome is available at Assouline.com.
More on Trends
The Latest
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
