Figurine jewellery is on the rise! From cutesy animals to teddies and beloved cartoon characters, our Instagram feeds are full of these lovable precious creatures smiling up at us with their expressive gem-set eyes. Fun, frivolous and happy, fine jewellery designers the world over are using the most luxurious gems and metals to create these nostalgic pieces, evoking the bygone days of our childhood and the innocence of youth. Let’s look at the brands that are shaping this latest fine jewellery trend and peek behind the curtain at the meaningful symbolism of these sweet jewels.
Carrera Y Carrera – Dreams Collection
Madrid-based fine jewellery brand Carrera Y Carrera is one of the world’s most prestigious and recognisable fine jewellery brands. In its Dream collection, Carrera Y Carrera has created heart-melting baby animal figurines sleeping cosily within a pendant shaped like the outer structure of a human heart. Crafted in white and yellow gold with diamond accents, each of these sweet animals lying in their heart-shaped dens is a metaphor for the secret dreams, wishes and desires that each person hides deep within their heart, in the hopes that one day they will come true.
Herstory – Vodoo Collection
Herstory is a luxury jewellery brand with a feminist twist. The brand’s name comes from a defiant play on the word “history”, which can be interpreted as “his story”, which has a strong masculine association. Each piece of Herstory jewellery is designed with the modern woman in mind, a woman who prioritises casual elegance and the strength she finds in her femininity. In its Vodoo collection, Herstory is inspired by the classic voodoo doll shape women have used for centuries to protect themselves as well as provide spiritual healing. Available in various combinations of white, rose and yellow gold with rubies and diamonds, each Vodoo figurine pendant is intended to be worn as a protective talisman and to remind yourself to believe in your intuition.
Mayiana Jewels – Timeless Connections Collection
Jewellery brand Mayiana was created out of the love of the brand founder for their newborn daughter, using their child’s name as inspiration (Miya Ayiana). To create jewellery that empowers and inspires, each Mayiana collection has a specific holistic goal. In the Timeless Connections series, the designer has created a mother-and-daughter set of jewellery inspired by a stuffed animal bunny. Meant to be worn together or apart, each of these gold, enamel and diamond pieces symbolises the unwavering love and attachment between a mother and her daughter.
Qeelin – Bo Bo Collection
Chinese jewellery brand Queelin takes its name from an auspicious Chinese mythical animal and icon of love – the Qilin, a hooved animal that appears to be part horse and part dragon. With an important figurine as the namesake of the brand, it comes as no surprise that this Kering Group member’s most recognisable collection is one that portrays an important figure in Chinese history and culture. In the Bo Bo collection, founder and creative director Dennis Chan chose to create a doll based on the lovable endangered panda. This cuddly character is brought to life through a comic-styled figure made of rose and white gold set with white and black diamonds alongside other precious materials such as mother-of-pearl and enamel. Each piece is made to bring good fortune, positive energy and a magical balance into the life of each wearer.
Serendipity Jewelry – My Little One Collection
Inspired by the maternal love of animals, Serendipity Jewelry uses the animals most associated with maternal love and instinct to create pieces that demonstrate the warm and intimate parent-child relationship. Each dolphin, elephant, penguin, polar bear and swallow pendant comes in a set of two figures, one mother and one child, that can be worn together on one necklace or detached from each other and worn separately, using a technique patented by Christine Chen, the gemmologist and founder of the Paris-based brand. A huge believer in the power of serendipity, Chen’s Chinese roots are a strong influence in her designs, collaborating with skilled artisans in both China and Paris to create her unique take on French jewellery with a Chinese moral message.
Tiffany & Co. X Daniel Arsam Studio – Pokémon Capsule Collection
In its most recent collaboration with mixed medium artist Daniel Arsham, the iconic jewellery brand Tiffany & Co. has partnered with The Pokémon Company to create a collection inspired by a beloved child cartoon– the Pokémon Capsule Collection. One of the world’s most popular entertainment franchises, the fictional animals of the Pokémon realm are ones we are all familiar with. Tiffany & Co. has brought these beloved childhood characters to life through a series of nine pendants and necklaces that highlight six of the most famous Pokémon. Reinforcing the house’s longstanding fascination with contemporary art and pop culture, these figurines are brought to life through oxidized sterling silver, gold and diamond accents. What’s more, each one comes in a Tiffany Blue® Poké Ball box!
Tous – Bold Bear Collection
The Tous teddy bear logo is one we have all seen, which is not surprising as the brand has been around for over 100 years. The creation of this Barcelona luxury brand dates back to 1920, when a young apprentice Salvador Tous Blavi took his shot at creating his own watchmaking business. This same company eventually turned into the handbag and jewellery brand we know today. To celebrate and honour its historic logo, Tous has launched a series of Bold Bear pieces, of which the pendants and patterns take the shape of the Tous teddy bear logo. Available in an array of colourful enamel coatings, or with pearl, onyx, spinel or diamond, these cute creations are guaranteed to bring a smile to all who can enjoy them.
There’s no denying that the figurine fine jewellery trend is on the rise, with a mix of historic and modern jewellery brands making pieces inspired by beloved childhood characters that evoke fond memories for the wearers. If you see an adorable figurine fine jewellery creation let us know by tagging us on Instagram, we are excited to see what new pieces will capture our hearts next.
