Simply Abu Dhabi XXVIII

A rmoura has launched several new designs in its tradition of bold and original shapes with strong use of coloured and extraordinary stones. The Award winning designer from Ireland has created several iconic collections which imbue a fine sense of place, time, memory and proportion. The designer reminisces hot sunny days spent in the South of France and the strong aroma of the perfume fields which inspired the Lavender necklace. Featuring crisp Art-Deco lines made from baguette-cut white diamonds in a channel setting, framing a large purple sapphire, pear-cut lilac sapphires representing the lavender plant flower heads sitting on three strands of gorgeous natural Akoya pearls. Also featured in the newworks by Stuart are other themes such as the Queen Bee collection, featuring hexagonal-cut diamonds, orange sapphires and black onyx which are repeated over and over to create a chain mail effect mirroring the natural honeycomb which inspired this series of designs. Exceptional and exotic stones as well as architecture and nature prove to be a sustained source of inspiration for Stuart who continues to sketch and push ideas as well as the precious materials. The Magnolia necklace and wider suite is homage to the floweringMagnolia tree with its sumptuous soft white and pink flowers, re-envisioned by Stuart with white diamonds, pink diamonds, rutile quartz, emeralds and white gold. The Art Deco Emerald Burst collection is inspired by repeating Aztec and African tribal patterns and is carefully crafted using the finest materials and techniques. Along with the primitive Art Deco patterns, the scale and layout of the stones also reflects the strong visual impact of a recent visit to Paris where the chic and elegant proportions of the double height windows of the city’s Renaissance architecture inspired this configuration. The imposing lines of Asscher-cut stones resonate with the layout of the baguette cut emeralds, onyx and white diamonds. As well as the high jewellery pieces, Armoura has expanded to offer elegant everyday pieces inspired by the larger ornate creations. These smaller pieces allow people to wear a simple but strong design icon from each collection. Design and craftsmanship are paramount and continue to drive new and evermore creative ideas.