The Best Jewelry Design Collaborations of 2021 – JCK

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From Aurate x Halston (pure Peretti chic) to Bea Bongiasca x Wolf Designs (electric elegance of youth), it was hard to pin down the best jewelry design collaborations of the year. Some raised awareness of important issues and historical events. Others simply delighted the senses with a unique expression of beauty, novelty and ingenuity. Here, a look back at eight memorable clashes.

The headliner

Patek Philippe x Tiffany & Co.

Patek Philippe x Tiffany Nautilus — *The Patek Ref. 5711/1A-018 Nautilus with Tiffany’s robin’s egg blue face (photo courtesy of Patek Philippe)*

Although Patek Philippe’s limited edition of its Ref. 5711/1A Nautilus wristwatch in steel, christened Ref. 5711/1A-018, debuted in select Tiffany & Co. stores this month, it’s already launched and making headlines: one of 170 watches just sold for $6.5 million at an auction organized by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo.

The game changer

NDC x Lorraine Schwartz Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI)

NDC Emerging Designers Round 1 — Top: Portraits of the first collective of emerging designers, clockwise from left: Malyia McNaughton, Made by Malyia; Jameel Mohammed, Khiri; Constance Polamalu, Birthright Foundry; Lisette Scott, Jam + Rico; Marvin Linares, Marvin Douglas jewelry; and Dorian Webb (all photos courtesy of the Natural Diamond Council)

While there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the jewelry industry, this collaboration has brought the work of six emerging BIPOC designers to the a wider audience. EDDI provided designers with valuable access to vendors, public relations support and mentorship. While seats at the proverbial table are an ongoing challenge, the efforts of NDC and Lorraine Schwartz have been a step in the right direction and will hopefully inspire other organizations to pursue similar projects.

The master stroke

Montblanc x Spike Lee

Montblanc Spike Lee Meisterstuck Presentation Box — *The special-edition Meisterstück fountain pen, $900, comes in a box alongside a leather notebook with the design of purple eyes and bottled purple ink.*

Where some collaborations are a creative experiment in search of nothing but novelty, the Meisterstück Spike Lee Special Edition pen felt like a true meeting of minds – two legends blending their DNA in perfect harmony. “Not only is Spike Lee an exceptional storyteller and artist, but handwriting is at the very heart of his own creative process. He writes all of his work by hand because he sincerely believes in the power of handwriting. It is this belief shared with Montblanc that makes this writing instrument so incredibly special,” said Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki in a prepared statement at the time of the launch.

the charmer

Serena Van Rensselaer x The Little Prince

The Le Petit Prince collection pendant comes on a 30 inch snake chain that can be worn long or doubled up to be worn around the neck. A mini star is attached to the clasp, giving a special touch to the back of the piece. — The Le Petit Prince collection pendant comes on a 30 inch snake chain that can be worn long or doubled around the neck. A mini star is attached to the clasp, giving a special touch to the back of the piece. (Photo courtesy of Serena Van Rensselaer.)

Showcasing the iconic star shape of the beloved book in various silver, gold and diamond earrings and pendants, this collection is the first in a series from Brooklyn-based designer Serena Van Rensselaer. partnership with the Management and Operating Company. Rights Derived from the Work of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (SOGEX), the licensor of all the rights of The Little Prince®. “I hope it becomes something timeless, something for collectors,” Van Rensselaer said. JCK in October.

The star “Shelfie”

Suzanne Kalan x Jonathan Adler

Baguette tray Suzanne Kalan Jonathan Adler — *Porcelain rainbow baguette trinket tray, $300*

Divine on decorative shelves and dressing tables, the acclaimed jewelry designer’s range of porcelain trinket bowls created in collaboration with design legend Jonathan Adler has elevated the idea of ”jewelry for the home” to a whole new level of chic. And introduced Kalan’s signature Fireworks motif – “scattered” baguette diamonds set just like that – to a wider audience.

The tight pressure

Stephanie Gottlieb x Joe’s Jeans

Stephanie Gottlieb x Joes High Waisted — *The Scout Mid-Rise Skinny Tomboy Crop Jean, $398; Stephanie Gottlieb x Joe’s*

When vaccines became available and we started to think seriously about ditching our leggings in favor of real pants, this crystal-embellished denim capsule was tailor-made to re-enter the public sphere in a shimmering blaze of glamour. The sheer novelty of this collaboration was perfectly suited to the moment – who else remembers being ready to go wild with wild abandon? And all these months later, the joke’s on us, I guess: our leggings are still in strong rotation.

The toast master

Fabergé x the Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

Fabergé Whiskey Service — Inspired by the shape of an emerald, representing the natural beauty of Ireland, the Emerald Isle collection depicts the wonders of the country and its geographical coordinates, with an egg-shaped opening and a frame of colored gemstones (pictured with courtesy of Fabergé).

Last March, we called the Emerald Isle Collection whiskey box “a dragon’s lair in miniature” with its one-of-a-kind Celtic egg and selfless watch – both from Fabergé – and a bottle of ultra-rare, 30 year old, triple distilled Irish whiskey. Each set also included a cigar humidor with two Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva cigars, a gold-plated cigar cutter, a gold-plated water pipette, pure obsidian whiskey stones (for cooling drinks), a hip flask and a decanter filled with Irish spring. water from the same region where the whiskey was made. Sláinte!

High: The story maker. Coinciding with the Met’s groundbreaking new period room celebrating Seneca Village, a predominantly black settlement that flourished in New York City until its demise in 1857, the museum commissioned Ten Thousand Things to create a capsule of “elegant pieces that a woman living in Seneca Village today would wear,” according to co-founder David Rees Small Lapis Crescent Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver, $350; Ten Thousand Things x Met.