Garrard - Aloria
The House of Garrard presents The Aloria
The Cullinan I.
Artfully uniting heritage cues with cutting-edge craftsmanship and design, Aloria celebrates Garrard’s setting of the Cullinan I in the Sovereign’s Sceptre in 1910. The strong silhouette framing the world’s largest cut and colorless diamond (see image below) has been re-imagined in the House’s Sovereign motif and a powerful sense of strength, spirit and unity sit at the heart of the new designs.
The Aloria collection is the latest to join Garrard’s treasure trove of regally-inspired jewels, a fresh interpretation of an iconic design rooted in the brand’s heritage and handcrafted in the Garrard
workshop.
Garrard’s signature goldwork has been elevated to new three-dimensional levels and, skillfully faceted (see image below), it shimmers across rings, bracelets and earrings. The bold silhouette of the Sovereign motif is embellished with diamonds that sit gently at an angle in each piece alongside colored gemstones, calibré-cut in the larger pieces and in a range of glorious hues – from pink sapphires and diamonds set in rose gold, to yellow sapphires and diamonds in yellow gold, and brilliant all-white diamonds and aquamarines set in white gold. 
workshop.
“Garrard’s craftsmanship in Aloria is as innovative now as it was for the setting of the Cullinan I in 1910,” explains Sara Prentice, Garrard’s Creative Director. “The clean lines and simplicity of the design mask the complexity and detail that have gone into each piece”.
The creative team led by Sara Prentice knows how to inject their designs with elegant simplicity, which belies their versatile, playful nature. Just as the gold clasps holding the Cullinan I can be opened and the magnificent diamond removed to be worn as a brooch (suspended from the Cullinan I set in the Imperial State Crown – yet another of Garrard’s royal commissions), the Aloria designs offer several options for the ways in which they can be worn. Necklaces come in adjustable lengths and earrings can be worn as studs or with back jackets of differing colors.
In some pieces the Sovereign motif is set with diamonds on one side and with white enamel – mirroring the color of the enamel surrounding the Cullinan I – on the other. Reversibility is achieved via a discreet hinge mechanism, which enables simple adaptability while ensuring beautifully fluid designs.
And in recognition of Queen Mary’s penchant for switching the gemstones in her jewels to match her dress, several necklaces, bracelets and earrings in the collection have interchangeable colored motifs, to suit the occasion, outfit or mood of the wearer. “The Aloria collection epitomizes Garrard’s design ideals: ingenuity of craftsmanship, exceptional gemstones and adaptability of design,” says Sara. “It’s a powerful collection and we’re looking forward to seeing clients wear the pieces with their own confident, unique style”.
About the House of Garrard
Established in 1735, the House of Garrard is the longest serving jeweler in the world. Its first royal commission came in its founding year from Frederick, Prince of Wales, and marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the British royal family, which reached its apogee in 1843 when Garrard was appointed the first official Crown Jeweler.
The House has since had the honor of serving every subsequent British monarch, as well as many other royal families around the globe. Over these years, Garrard has handcrafted tiaras, necklaces, brooches and many more magnificent jewels that are still worn by the British royal family, including the Duchess of Cambridge’s sapphire cluster engagement ring. Every piece is developed to achieve a balance between tradition and design so as to bring out the natural beauty of the stones. The result is a quintessentially British hallmark of heritage, detail and craft.
What a wonderful initiative and addition to the House of Garrard, give them a visit and look at the other fine pieces they offer.
Signing off,
Alen
