Gucci drops third Hortus Deliciarum jewelry collection – Robb Report

In 2019, Gucci launched its very first high jewelry collection. Baptized Hortus Deliciarum, it explored the themes of the animal kingdom and luxury. Now the label is launching the third installment in the dazzling line.

Designed by creative director Alessandro Michele, the new rings, necklaces, earrings and more are divided into five themes that evoke an “imaginary Grand Tour” through the world of jewelry, according to Gucci. Beginning with mid-19th century influenced designs and continuing through the 1970s, the drop takes you on a sparkling journey through pink tourmalines, blue topazes and cascading colored diamonds.

Michele’s clothing and jewelry designs are known for telling stories, and the collection’s first theme stays true to that heritage by referencing the true Grand Tour – the 19th-century rite of passage in which well-to-do young men traveled around Europe with a chaperone once they turned 21. Michele worked with a set of micro mosaics, made between 1850 and 1870, to reference the period of the rite. And because Italy was often a key destination for travel, the set depicts iconic structures like the Colosseum, Piazza San Pietro, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Hercules, the Tivoli waterfalls and the Pyramid. of Cestius.

For the second theme, Gucci bets on “kaleidoscopic beauty”, which highlights the Maharaja’s journey between Rome and India. Based on the royal palaces and lush gardens found in both settings, as well as the colorful silks, the theme introduces you to the “Red Stones of Light”, also known as Rubellite, Imperial Topaz, Yellow Beryl, Tourmaline and garnet. Jewels take the form of solitaire rings with pear or heart-shaped stones, multi-row necklaces and bracelets with large yellow beryl stones.

Pearls are the basis of the third theme. As “the first of precious things”, according to Roman author Pliny the Elder, pearls are known for their symbolism of femininity and their mythological origins, which inspired this theme. The set includes white, cream and black beads that have been combined to create chokers paired with striking earrings and brooches. Next, Michelle uses the fourth theme to evoke the New World in the 1930s and 1940s, creating geometrically shaped necklaces and bracelets in chains with asymmetrical, flexible modules topped with opulent stones – think aquamarine and gold. blue-gray beryl – for drama.

The ending theme takes us to the 1970s with subtle references to pop culture, self-expression and the desire to discover new worlds. Coins in this theme are meant to “protect” ideas, visions and stories. They feature psychedelic colors on white gold chain necklaces, diamonds holding genuine hexagonal emerald and aquamarine talismans set in a green enamel frame that encloses baguette-cut diamonds. The theme also includes a beautiful pendant with a yellow gold base that is based on the 1969 Vittorio Accornero De Testa “Savana” scarf designed for Gucci.

For more information on the new Hortus Deliciarum drop and its fantastic journey, visit the fashion house’s website.