Join us for our weekly BAJ:Insight on the latest industry trends by Rachael Taylor, a freelance journalist who writes about jewellery for a number of titles, including The Financial Times, The Jewellery Editor and Retail Jeweller. In her 10 years reporting on the industry, she has travelled the globe to visit key industry fairs, descended a Fairtrade gold mine on top of a Peruvian mountain, toured silver jewellery factories in Thailand, and regularly has access to the most sparkling jewels and people in the business.
Kate Moss’s announcement that she has designed a jewellery line did not come as a shock. Her love of jewels has been well documented – as has her friendship and patronage of the Brazilian jeweller Ara Vartanian, with who she has collaborated on the line. And looking at the jewels, I have to say that this is one of the better celebrity jewellery lines.
Just like fashion and homewares, gardening and cooking, the jewellery industry is not immune to a celebrity collaboration. While some stars simply lend their necklines and hands to a brand, other will get involved in the design process (or at least claim to). Here are just a few of those celebrity jewellery lines, including Kate’s.
The newest celebrity-jewellery collaboration on the block sees the pair dream up a line of fine jewels that takes spirituality and protection as its core theme. Inverted gemstones, rose-cut diamonds and dark red spinels are added to Medieval-inspired silhouettes.
Sold: Harvey Nichols, Ara Vartanian
Costs: From £700
Favourite piece: Yellow gold and diamond sickle moon ring
Last year, Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy launched her own brand of ethical fine jewellery. Rather than just sticking her name on it, Chelsea studied gemmology at the GIA before starting work on the designs and was even seen manning her own stand at trade show IJL in London.
Sold: Plukka, Baar and Bass
Costs: £480 to £3,820
Favourite piece: Chete yellow gold and Gemfields emerald ring
Made in Chelsea star Rosie Fortescue’s namesake jewellery line is now into its third season. Motifs in the latest collection include lightning bolts and claws. Long lariat necklaces, chunky hoop earrings and hand cuffs made in silver are decorated with colourful cubic zirconia.
Sold: Fortnum & Mason, Baar and Bass
Costs: £65 to £315
Favourite piece: Black rhodium-plated silver hand cuff set with pink CZ
Kat Florence is the freshest name on Bond Street, with a beautiful store packed with unusual coloured gemstone jewels. Only a few years into business, Florence has already signed a major star, collaborating with actress Sarah Jessica Parker on The Flawless Diamonds collection that only uses D-colour stones, even for pavé.
Sold: Kat Florence
Costs: £1,300
Favourite piece: Yellow gold ring with white gold kite shapes filled with diamonds
When the Irish TV presenter got on board with British jewellery brand Daisy London, nobody could have imagined the huge commercial success that would ensue. It has become one of the brand’s best-selling collections, and proof that a celebrity tie in need not just be about PR.
Sold: Asos, Mococo, Argento
Costs: £25 to £115
Favourite piece: Gold-plated silver necklace with seven mini plectrums
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