AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. AuctionThe auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
TrendsJul 28, 2016
Lito Goes Graphic with ‘Infinite’ Jewelry Collection
The latest offerings from the Greek jewelry designer are a vast departure from her signature motifs.
A 14-karat rose and yellow gold bracelet with opal from designer Lito’s new infinite collection. Lito Goes Graphic with ‘Infinite’ Jewelry Collection
Athens--Despite Greece’s small size, it can sometimes feel like there are as many talented jewelry designers as there are idyllic islands within the country’s borders.
Athens-based Lito Karakostanoglou is the creative force behind fine jewelry brand Lito, which is carried by stores like Twist and Broken English and online at Net-a-Porter.
The brand is known for several signature motifs: a requisite evil eye, which is, despite the symbol’s ubiquity, one of the most hauntingly unique pieces of jewelry out there; its original scarab wing collection; and the hive range, which features rose-cut diamonds grouped into hypnotic patterns that most closely resemble strands of DNA.
Lito’s latest offering for fall 2016, the Infinite collection, is a far cry from Karakostanoglou’s typically intricate designs.
Rendered in 14-karat gold and diamonds, with the exception of one show-stopping bracelet that features a large opal, Lito has veered towards basic but impactful shapes with Infinite.
Two views of Lito’s 14-karat yellow and rose gold bracelet with cabochon-cut opal ($6,180)
“It’s all about simplicity,” explained Karakostanoglou. “It’s bold in its simplicity.”
“It’s all about simplicity,” explained Karakostanoglou. “It’s bold in its simplicity.”
From left, a 14-karat yellow gold hoop earring and 14-karat rose gold hoop earring ($3,470 per pair)
A 14-karat rose and yellow gold cuff ($1,770)
Lito’s 14-karat yellow gold earrings ($2,070)
A 14-karat yellow and rose gold earring ($1,000)
From left, a 14-karat rose gold lariat necklace ($730) and 14-karat yellow gold lariat necklace with diamonds ($2,930)
A 14-karat rose gold and diamond ring ($4,240)
“It’s all about simplicity,” explained Karakostanoglou. “It’s bold in its simplicity.”
Karakostanoglou has a circuitous design process, involving much experimentation and trial-and-error, but Infinite was originally inspired by the different shapes of vintage watch faces. She began creating similar shapes by laser-cutting gold, leaving a small hole in the center to represent the point where a watch’s hands are connected.
From there, she played with the various laser-cut shapes--ovals, rectangles, hexagons and octagons-- layering a rounded square with an octagon for an architectural, layered earring, or attaching an oval and circle to a cuff for a bold statement piece.
Karakostanoglou created various delicate lariats, pavé diamond-laden rings and a particularly stunning octagon hoop earring that is deceptively light for its size.
To maintain an element of playfulness, which is the connection among the collections of Lito’s oeuvre, Karakostanoglou experimented with combining yellow gold and rose gold in a single piece: a yellow gold-shaped circle, sitting next to a rose gold rectangle on a bracelet and so on. The unlikely color combination is subtle but provides an interesting visual depth to the pieces.
“The collection is very Cycladic, very minimal, very connected with the sun and the light, and how the light is reflected in those shapes and how you play with the two different colors,” Karakostanoglou said.
The designer’s favorite piece is the choker version of the opal bracelet, which she designed especially for the upcoming “Vanity” exhibit at the Mykonos Archaeological Museum. The exhibit will highlight Greek jewelry from ancient
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
to contemporary times, and feature 12 of today’s most prominent Greek designers.
Lito’s Infinite collection will be available at select retailers this fall. For more information, visit Lito-Jewelry.com.
Lito’s Infinite collection will be available at select retailers this fall. For more information, visit Lito-Jewelry.com.
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for RetailersFor every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks SnowballsThe boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New MembersJewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
Events & AwardsJan 29, 2025
Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJSThe jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
WFDB Joins Efforts to Promote Natural Diamonds With New CampaignThe “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
Botswana’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Is Now a De Beers Ambassador Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
NouvelleBox Show Returns to New York CityThe showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
Recorded WebinarsJan 28, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Le Vian Corp. Chairman Larry LeVian, a Man of Faith and Family, Dies at 73 LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsJemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
CollectionsJan 27, 2025
Rachel Quinn Embodies Feelings of Falling in Love in New CollectionQuinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Arch Crown’s 2025 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Out Now The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
