The French crystal company莱丽卡is returning to its roots. Founder René Lalique began his career in the late 19th century as a designer of fine jewelry, famous for his dazzling nature-inspired forms and exquisite use of enamel, horn, and semiprecious gems. But he gave it up in 1907 to focus on his extraordinary glass creations, and though the company has produced some costume jewelry, it has largely eschewed its bejeweled heritage. Until now.
Aréthuse pendant in silver, with clear crystal and a gray tassel—Lalique calls it a “pompon”—on a black cord ($835).
Starting this fall, Lalique is launching a new jewelry collection to be released in four installments and organized by themes—water, fire, earth, and air—reflecting its founder’s passion for natural elements. Motifs of flora and fauna, such as flowers, birds, and dragonflies, are present in many of the pieces, as are mythological dragons and nymphs that peer out from cut-crystal pendants. While these original designs were fashioned by jewelry creative director Anne Kazuro and her team, René Lalique’s distinctive Art Nouveau style shines through as the clear inspiration.
The water-themed Eau Sensuelle group will be the first to debut, arriving in boutiques by the end of November. Notable for its elegant simplicity, the Pétillante ring (whose name translates as “sparkling”) features two kinds of stones: glittering pavé diamonds that suggest the interplay of sunlight on rippling water, and placid, transparent cabochon crystals that look like dew gathered on the band. The design comes in a three-stone and a wider six-stone version, with either white diamonds and clear crystals on a silver band, or champagne diamonds and amber crystals on gold.
The Eau Sensuelle collection will be available at Lalique boutiques in late November. Prices start at $420; Pétillante rings, $585–$5,840 each.
