Take a look around you and it seems as if the world is currently fixated on life under the sea. From the release of the highly-anticipated The Little Mermaid movie to the trending mermaid-core aesthetic, the ocean has become the biggest influence as of late — an inspiration that extends to the jewellery world. Tiffany & Co.'s latest high jewellery collection explores the beauty of aquatic life with the unveiling of its Blue Book 2023: Out of the Blue — the first Blue Book collection designed by Nathalie Verdeille, Tiffany & Co.'s Chief Artistic Officer of Jewellery and High Jewellery.
The intricacy of the designs moves in tandem with their whimsicality, perfectly capturing the movement of each sea creature caught in a frozen moment. An aquatic-inspired collection goes beyond society's greater fascination, as it was decided to pay tribute to the renowned jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger and his love for the ocean. In Jean Schlumberger’s imagination and design philosophy, the sea represented an unknown, infinite world. He choreographed unparalleled manifestations of its majesty and mystery," Verdeille said in a statement. "My first Blue Book collection for the House is a deep dive into aquatic life that both honours and reimagines Schlumberger’s vision."Each design is a reinterpretation of Schlumberger’s enigmatic marine admiration, created with stylized aesthetics and geometric themes. While the collection is undoubtedly a tribute to the French jewellery designer, each earring, brooch, ring, and necklace design is one-of-one.
"With Blue Book 2023, we saw an opportunity to honour Jean Schlumberger’s legacy by giving new life to some of his most celebrated designs," said Anthony Ledru, chief executive officer of Tiffany & Co., in a statement. "These creations have a distinct Schlumberger quality and personality to them, but the designs are all new. We are certain that he would have been as pleased with each masterpiece as we are."
Seven distinct themes encapsulate the collection: Shell, Coral, jellyfish, Pisces, Starfish, Seastar, and Sea urchin. The design execution of each concept ranges from literal interpretations of the sea creatures to abstract compositions depicted with aquatic motifs. The former can be seen through the jellyfish, which replicates the fluid movement of their tentacles in an ornate brooch crafted with diamond detailing and iridescent gems. The shell reflects the three-dimensionality of ocean objects, taking shape in a transformable pendant with a detachable diamond brooch that reveals a black opal of over 21 carats.
Sprightly hues with showcased tanzanites, sapphires, and yellow diamonds mimic coral while symmetric structures and hand-crafted chalcedony emulate sea urchins. Illustrating the beauty of the unknown, Pisces is explored through cool blues and unenhanced Padparadscha sapphires, Umba sapphires, and diamonds.
Tangled between symbolic rocks of glistening opals, aquamarines, tourmalines, and beryls with diamond accents is a reimagined starfish. Likewise, the mother-of-pearl sea star also finds itself entwined in coral-inspired motifs, depicted by rare padparadscha sapphires, Umba sapphires, and carnelians.
Out of the Blue is inspired by the marine life creations of 20th-century French designer Jean Schlumberger, one of Tiffany’s most prolific and renowned jewellers, the company said Monday. It will unveil the entire collection in two phases over the summer and fall. The 2023 collection is divided into seven themes: shell, coral, jellyfish, Pisces, starfish, sea star and star urchin. Verdeille has been the chief artistic director of Tiffany for nearly two years. Prior to joining the company, she served in high-profile positions with French jewellers Cartier, Chaumet and Lorenz Bäumer Paris. Tiffany & Co. also named British model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as its newest global house ambassador. It released a photograph of Huntington-Whiteley wearing pieces from the Blue Book 2023, including a diamond-encrusted shell necklace that can be worn four ways. Tiffany has published its annual Blue Book collection since 1845.
The high jewellery collection will be unveiled in two phases over the course of 2023 with Blue Book 2023: Out of the Blue set to have an exclusive debut celebration at the newly reopened Tiffany & Co. flagship on Fifth Avenue.
