Iron Jewelry Design · 2025
Elysian Necklace
- A' Design Award 2025 Iron Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: www.BrittasSchmiede.de
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 14,005
- Verification code CD90B1B214 · Verify this award
About Elysian Necklace
Elysian is a 750 yellow gold necklace featuring a main piece with an 11 x 7 mm vibrant green tourmaline and a faceted freshwater pearl. The necklace, made from a thick gold round wire, has a handcrafted clasp. The main piece, inspired by Art Nouveau, uses finely woven gold wire to create wing-like elements around the tourmaline. The 8 mm pearl's new faceting technique enhances its natural shimmer. This innovative piece celebrates nature's beauty and human craftsmanship.
Britta Schwalm's Elysian Necklace emerges from contemporary jewelry design traditions that honor both minimalist aesthetic restraint and symbolic ornamentation drawn from natural and spiritual vocabularies, positioning this wearable sculptural work within dialogues between body adornment, material craft, and personal meaning-making that have animated jewelry design across cultures and centuries, while demonstrating particular affinities with early twenty-first-century artisan jewelry movements emphasizing handcrafted quality, ethically sourced materials, and designs that transcend fashion ephemerality to achieve lasting aesthetic and symbolic significance. The compositional achievement of this piece resides in its masterful balance between geometric purity and organic reference, the slender golden collar establishing a perfect circular armature that echoes eternal return and infinite continuity while providing structural foundation for the pendant element, which introduces vertical directionality and symbolic complexity through its carefully calibrated assemblage of materials and forms, the rectangular emerald crystal providing chromatic intensity and geometric clarity flanked by delicate wire-formed lotus petal shapes that soften the geometry with naturalistic curves, all terminating in a lustrous pearl drop that creates visual weight and anchors the composition while introducing organic irregularity and soft luminosity as counterpoint to the crystal's geometric brilliance and saturated color. Chromatic sophistication manifests in the designer's restraint and intentionality, the warm golden metal establishing harmonic resonance with human skin tones while creating temperature contrast with the cool blue-green emerald that seems to capture water, sky, and verdant growth in its transparent depths, this warm-cool dynamic creating visual vibrancy without overwhelming the composition, while the pearl's cool white with subtle warm overtones mediates between the metal's warmth and the stone's coolness, creating chromatic bridge and tonal counterpoint that demonstrates sophisticated color sensitivity. Technical facility reveals itself in the refined execution of multiple jewelry-making processes, the collar bent to perfect circularity suggesting either mandrel forming or specialized bending techniques, the wire lotus petals exhibiting the controlled curves and precise symmetry of skilled hand-forming, the stone setting securing the emerald crystal within the gold framework with secure integrity while maintaining visual lightness, and the pearl attachment creating secure suspension while preserving the drop element's graceful descent, these technical achievements serving expressive ends by creating a piece that appears effortless and inevitable despite the considerable craft knowledge and manual skill required for its realization. The work invites contemplation of jewelry's unique position among designed objects as simultaneously functional adornment, symbolic carrier, intimate sculpture, and material poem, existing in that charged space between body and world where personal identity meets public presentation, private meaning encounters aesthetic judgment, and precious materials transform into carriers of memory, aspiration, and self-understanding, the lotus motif with its ancient associations across Asian spiritual traditions with purity emerging from muddy waters, spiritual awakening, and the unfolding of consciousness adding layers of potential significance for wearers and viewers alike, while the emerald's historical associations with growth, renewal, heart energy, and natural vitality combine with the pearl's traditional connections to purity, lunar energy, and organic beauty to create a rich symbolic vocabulary that each wearer may activate according to personal resonance and interpretive inclination. One might observe how the necklace creates a framing gesture around the throat and upper chest, drawing attention to the vulnerable yet expressive zone of voice and breath while the pendant descends to rest near the heart center, this bodily positioning suggesting the piece engages themes of authentic expression, emotional openness, and the alignment of inner truth with outer presentation, inviting wearers to consider what symbolic vocabularies they choose to carry against their skin and what meanings emerge in the intimate daily relationship between body and adornment, while viewers might reflect on how jewelry functions as wearable sculpture that transforms the human form into living gallery, carrying artistic vision and craft excellence into the everyday world where design serves not only aesthetic pleasure but personal significance and the quiet daily rituals of self-presentation and identity construction.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Elysian features a 750 yellow gold necklace with a central piece housing a vibrant green tourmaline. The tourmaline is accompanied by a freshwater cultured pearl, faceted with a new technique to enhance its natural shimmer. The necklace itself is made from a solid 750 yellow gold round wire with a handcrafted clasp. The central piece is a woven 0.5 mm gold wire setting with wing-like elements flanking the tourmaline. The pearl's facets and the intricate design make this piece truly unique.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Central piece: 12 x 6 mm green tourmaline, 8 mm faceted freshwater pearl. Necklace: solid 750 yellow gold round wire with handcrafted clasp. Length: 42 cm.
- Tags
- Green tourmaline, 750 yellow gold, faceted pearl, Art Nouveau, handmade necklace, unique jewelry, luxurious design
- Production Technology
- Elysian is crafted using 750 yellow gold, with a combination of round wire and finely woven wire for the central piece. The tourmaline is bezel-set with gold wire loops at each corner, and the freshwater pearl is faceted using a novel technique that requires a thick, flawless nacre layer.
The necklace "Elysian" was awarded a prize money at the LIV NRW (Germany) competition "Schmuckvisionen". - Design Challenge
- The main challenge was developing the faceting technique for pearls and ensuring the intricate wire design could securely hold the gemstones. Overcoming these challenges required meticulous craftsmanship and innovative thinking.
- Project Duration
- The project started in April 2024 and was completed in July 2024 in Frankfurt/Main.
- Operation Flow
- The necklace can be securely fastened with the handcrafted clasp. The central piece, with its vibrant tourmaline and faceted pearl, catches the eye and adds elegance to any outfit.
- Research
- The research focused on incorporating innovative faceting techniques for pearls and exploring intricate wire designs inspired by Art Nouveau. The goal was to create a unique piece that combines classic elegance with modern craftsmanship. The findings demonstrate the potential for new techniques in enhancing the natural beauty of pearls.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for Elysian came from the desire to combine timeless elegance with innovative craftsmanship. The tourmaline's vibrant green and the faceted pearl symbolize nature's beauty, while the intricate gold wire design reflects the delicacy and fluidity of Art Nouveau. This piece aims to evoke a sense of wonder and sophistication.
Colors of Elysian Necklace
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Design Interview about Elysian Necklace
The Elysian necklace was inspired by the elegance and fluidity of Art Nouveau. The design integrates delicate gold wire weaving with a vibrant green tourmaline and a faceted freshwater pearl, symbolizing nature’s beauty and refined craftsmanship. The goal was to merge timeless aesthetics with innovative techniques.
The primary focus was to create a piece that captures intricate detail and artistic flow while ensuring wearability. I aimed to highlight the pearl’s natural shimmer through an advanced faceting method and enhance the organic elegance of the tourmaline with wing-like gold wire elements.
I wanted to explore new possibilities in pearl faceting while honoring the graceful movement of Art Nouveau. The idea of weaving gold wire in a lightweight yet secure structure allowed me to maintain both delicacy and durability in the piece.
Yes, Art Nouveau artists and designers deeply influenced Elysian. The flowing forms and delicate craftsmanship of figures such as Antoni Gaudí shaped my approach to organic yet highly detailed jewelry design.
The name Elysian originates from Elysium, a concept of paradise and divine beauty. It represents an idealized realm of harmony, much like the elegant and balanced aesthetic embodied in this necklace.
The faceted pearl technique is particularly innovative, as it requires a thick nacre layer to maintain its luster while introducing reflective surfaces. Additionally, the gold wire weaving creates a dynamic yet airy structure, unlike traditional rigid settings.
The challenge of introducing new techniques in jewelry craftsmanship, combined with the timeless appeal of Art Nouveau, motivated me to showcase Elysian in a global setting. I wanted to share my exploration of intricate detailing and innovative materials with an audience that appreciates design evolution.
Grand Interview about Elysian Necklace
Pearl Faceting and LuminosityThe newly developed faceting technique is based on the targeted processing of the outer nacre layer, which must be particularly thick and homogeneous in freshwater pearls. The faceted surface creates light refractions that do not obscure the pearl's natural shimmer, but rather enhance it. The result is a more vibrant, almost crystalline luminosity that casts the pearl in a new artistic light – without losing its organic character.
Art Nouveau as a Design BridgeWhat fascinates me about Art Nouveau is the combination of natural motifs and flowing ornamentation. The movement was both radical and poetic – and it was precisely this tension I wanted to capture in "Elysian." The wing-like gold wire elements are a homage to the lightness and dynamism of this era, translated into a contemporary piece of jewelry that doesn't appear historicizing, but rather thinks ahead.
Tourmaline as a Symbol of NatureThe green tourmaline represents vitality, growth, and connection to the earth. Its position at the center of the centerpiece—flanked by the gold wire wings—gives it an almost botanical aura. The color is reminiscent of fresh foliage, and the stone itself seems to glow from within. Thus, the stone becomes a symbol of the beauty of nature, framed in a design that brings this idea to life both visually and tactilely.
The handmade claspThe clasp presented a technical challenge, as it had to be both secure and aesthetically integrated. I opted for a solution that harmonizes with the round wire and blends organically with the line of the chain. Manufacturing required precision and patience – but the result is a clasp that not only functions but is part of the overall aesthetic.
Sustainable LuxuryFor me, sustainability begins with the choice of materials. 18ct yellow gold not only offers optimal processing properties, but is also durable and retains its value. The gold was obtained from recycled gold. The tourmaline comes from a trusted source. "Elysian" stands for luxury that doesn't come at the expense of the environment or people.
Wire weaving as an expression of movementThe gold wire weaving arose from the desire to combine structure and lightness. I experimented with different wire thicknesses and weaving angles until I achieved a form that was stable enough for the gemstone setting while simultaneously creating a visual dynamic. The technique is inspired by textile structures, but translated into metal—a play with material boundaries.
From idea to executionThe initial sketch already showed the combination of tourmaline and pearl, but its implementation required many intermediate steps. The faceted pearl was an experimental component that only achieved the desired effect after several attempts. The gold wire setting was adjusted several times until it held the gemstones securely while conveying the desired lightness. The finished centerpiece is the result of design, craftsmanship, and research.
Influence on future trends"Elysian" demonstrates that classic elegance and technical innovation are not mutually exclusive. The combination of new processing techniques and historical design elements could provide impetus for a jewelry aesthetic that is more closely aligned with material research and sustainability – without losing the emotional value that jewelry traditionally carries.
Expanding BoundariesThe faceted pearl was a step beyond the boundaries of classic goldsmithing techniques. The woven wire setting also presented new challenges in terms of precision and stability. These challenges allowed me to grow as a designer – not only technically but also conceptually. I learned that innovation often begins where the material seems to contradict itself.
Philosophy of BalanceFor me, harmony in jewelry design arises from the interplay of color, form, and material. Tourmaline adds depth, pearl adds light, and gold unites both. I work with contrasts, but never with contradictions. "Elysian" is an attempt to create balance—between nature and technology, between history and the present, between jewelry and meaning.