MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
TrendsDec 07, 2016
Inside the Fantastical Mind of Lydia Courteille
A monograph dedicated to the French fine jewelry designer delves into her life and jewels.
Lydia Courteille’s new monograph is filled with images of her collaboration with Lithuanian digital artist Natalie Schau, whose portraits featuring Courteille’s jewelry are seen here. (© Natalie Schau)
New York--A new monograph dedicated to French fine jewelry designer Lydia Courteille delves into the mind behind the designs.
ACC Art Books published Lydia Courteille, Extraordinary Jewellery of Imagination and Dreams this fall.
Written by jewelry expert Julia Weir de la Rochefoucauld, the book recounts Courteille’s childhood and the traits that eventually manifested themselves in her jewelry design: an extreme curiosity about the world’s diverse cultures (she corresponded with 18 pen pals worldwide), a love of narrative, and an eye for aesthetically interesting objects, such as the stones she saw at the mineralogical museum in Paris.
It was in 1979 that Courteille turned her attention to jewelry outright.
While trying to repair an Art Deco watch she had purchased, Courteille became besotted with jewelry antiques she saw in dealers’ shops.
She began re-setting antique cameos, transforming them from brooches to large rings, finally deciding to pursue her passion for these jewels through formal gemology study, which culminated with a career as an independent antiques dealer, in which she collected great jewelers like Suzanne Belperron and opened a store in Paris.
This diadem is from Courteille’s Queen of Sheba collection.
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Courteille created this headdress bangle as part of her collection inspired by Native American tribes. It features a variety of gemstones and enamel set in rhodium-plated gold.
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Courteille’s bunny earrings featuring rubellite, pink sapphires and white and black diamonds set in rose gold
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Copyright Lydia Courteille
The Ashanti warrior ring featuring ebony, diamond and gold
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Serpent pendant earrings from the Xochimilco collection, inspired by Courteille’s first trip abroad at age 21 to Mexico
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Copyright Lydia Courteille
A Memento Mori Couple brooch, circa 2007, featuring a boulder opal, diamonds and white gold
Copyright Lydia Courteille
Copyright Lydia Courteille
As Courteille began creating her own jewelry, she displayed it in the windows of her store along with her antique finds. The store and, subsequently, her designs garnered an impressive following.
Extraordinary Jewellery takes the reader through 20 of Courteille’s exquisite collections, their inspirations and origin stories.
Filles du Ciel, one of Courteille’s first collections, created in 1998, is inspired by carved jade in Asian design. Courteille made elaborate carved rings from turquoise and coral, adorning one with a ruby-encrusted beetle. It’s history reimagined through Courteille’s colorful, over-the-top lens.
In The Rainbow Warrior collection, there’s a fantastic take on Native American themes, such as a collar that feels ceremonial in its heft: Seven large semi-precious gemstones hang from the necklace and are bedecked with an array of animals.
Courteille’s collaborations are also highlighted, like the ongoing relationship she has with Lithuanian digital artist Natalie Schau, who illustrates Courteille’s creations, embedding them in her signature, anime-esque portraits.
Schau’s works fill the pages of Extraordinary Jewellery.
Extraordinary Jewellery is available now through a variety of booksellers, including its publisher, at ACCPublishingGroup.com.
More on Trends
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
