Ambassador Diamond Necklace Brought to Life

The Goldsmiths’ Company awarded Daphne Krinos the commission after selecting her design as the winner in their Ambassador Diamond Necklace competition. The brief sought to stimulate advanced British jewellery design and the judging panel was asked to select a necklace design that ‘radiates individual creativity, spontaneity, exemplary craftsmanship’ and ‘belongs to 2017 in the world of studio jewellery’.

Drawing on Daphne’s fascination and observations of cityscapes, the necklace comprises individually crafted sections in 18ct white gold, plated with black ruthenium and set with a variety of square, baguette and brilliant cut diamonds. The sculptural and architectural forms are lit up by the stones, like windows at night.

Daphne saw the commission as,

“the perfect opportunity to expand on a series of designs based on my observations of cities and the way some are developing so fast.  I tried to stay as true to the brief as I could: to design a large piece, that very much belongs to ‘now’, that is sculptural, modern, wearable, fashionable, and where the diamonds are the predominant part.”

Commenting on the process of making the Ambassador Diamond Necklace, Daphne said,

“The way I design is a constantly evolving process…a culmination of visual research, taking photographs, notes, and sketching. I made the necklace entirely by hand, it was a long process, taking four months to complete. I chose white gold because I could expose areas under the plating that would show as white/ silver lines, which is in tune with the idea that this is inspired by a cityscape at night, and the reflections some lights create on different surfaces.”

The Ambassador Diamond Necklace Competition took place in 2016. Eight elite studio jewellers - already represented in the Company’s Collection - alongside five atelier designers from leading trade names were chosen to take part in the competition. The judging panel consisted of Michael Wainwright, Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company and Managing Director of Boodles; Martin Drury, Chairman of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Modern Collection Committee; Rosemary Ransome Wallis, Art Director and Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company; Charlotte De Syllas, artist jeweller and Liveryman; Leo de Vroomen, designer jeweller and Associate of the Company; and Lucia van der Post, Associate Editor, Financial Times (How To Spend It).

Daphne’s Ambassador Diamond Necklace now resides in the Goldmsiths’ Company’s Modern Jewellery Collection.

Rosemary Ransome Wallis, who was the Art Director and Curator of the Goldsmiths’ Company at the time of the competition, commented,

“The Modern Jewellery Collection promotes and stimulates jewellery design that combines craftsmanship and personality. The pieces chosen capture the individuality and creativity of the designers; each piece is a distinctive expression in metalwork. Daphne is a true ambassador for studio jewellery design and her work exemplifies what we look for with the Collection. Her piece not only reflects her personality but also the ethos of the 21st century in relation to jewellery.”

Originally from Greece, Daphne established her studio in London in the early 1980s. Her distinctive work has captured a broad and loyal following, from collectors to artists, architects and lawyers. Daphne’s pieces can be found in the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Goldsmiths’ Company and the Crafts Council amongst many others.

Daphne’s sculptural jewellery is instantly recognisable, defined by bold use of colour, 

form, shape and texture. Graphic lines of black oxidised silver offset vivid translucent stones, dramatic articulated or layered compositions combine angular, geometric forms in a mixture of metals. Daphne’s playful character shines throughout the work; every piece displaying fresh ideas and exploring processes.

In 2019 the necklace is due to take centre stage in a major exhibition of the Company’s Collection at the DIVA Museum of Silver and Diamonds in Antwerp, Belgium. “Antwerp, where the piece will be shown at DIVA in 2019, is the centre of excellence in jewellery and diamonds, while London offers the height of artistic achievement. Daphne gives us both with her piece – it is a tale of two cities,” adds Rosemary.

The necklace will be on show this autumn at Goldsmiths’ Fair, 26 September – 8 October 2017, at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London.

www.daphnekrinos.com

Image credits: Sylvain Deleu