On view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art now through March 9, 2014, are the most exquisite, sumptuous and mind-blowingly beautiful jewel creations. Maybe Ever. The exhibition showcases more than four hundred jewel masterworks by Joel A. Rosenthal who has worked for more than thirty-five years in Paris under the name JAR. The first retrospective of his work in America, and the first exhibition devoted solely to a contemporary gem artist ever at The MET, Jewels by JAR is truly one-of-a-kind. While I record here less than a third of this retrospective, I am particularly drawn to his creations that are inspired by nature. Ferns, Lily of the Valley, Roses, Camellias and more. There is a softness, a delicacy, and a beautiful reverence expressed through very firm and solid mediums. I have my favorites. I hope you get a chance to go and discover yours!
Camellia Brooch
2008
Seashells, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Carnation Brooch
2011
Sapphires, diamonds, aluminum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Wild Rose Brooches
1997
Sapphires, tourmalines, citrines, garnets, diamonds, silver, gold, enamel.
Private Collection, London
Camellia Bracelet
1995
Rubies, enamel, silver, gold.
Les Arts Décoratifs, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
Carrot Flower Brooch
2009
Diamonds, rubies, silver, gold.
Mrs. Carol Yu
Pansy Pendant Necklace
1996
Garnets, diamonds, enamel, gold.
Private Collection
Poppy Brooch
1998
Fire opals, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Five Wild Rose Brooches
1991
Oriental pearls, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, garnets, citrines, diamonds, platinum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Peach Blossom Bracelet
2013
Demantoid garnet, sapphires, diamonds, spinels, gold, silver.
Private Collection
Earrings
1990
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Bracelet
2010
Diamonds, silver, platinum.
Private Collection
Coral Brooch
2011
Coral, gold.
Private Collection
Brooches
2004
Mother-of-pearl, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Capillary Fern Brooch
1999
Diamonds, garnets, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Capillary Fern Earrings
1999
Garnets, silver, gold.
Private Collection, London

Pendant Earrings
2010
Black opals, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Gardenia Brooch
1987
Coral, diamonds, platinum, gold.
Private Collection
Snowflake Brooch
2002
Diamonds, platinum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Cameo and Rose Petal Brooch
2011
Cameo, rubies, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Pendant Necklace
1984
Morganite, diamonds, platinum, gold.
Private Collection
Sheep’s Head Brooch
2006
Oriental pearls, sapphires, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Coral Bracelets
2011
Coral, gold.
Private Collection
Bracelet
1995
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Autumn Necklace
1999
Wood, gold.
Private Collection, London
String Necklace
1998
Diamonds, platinum.
Private Collection, London
Bracelet
2010
Spinel, diamond, platinum.
Private Collection
Bracelet
2010
Diamond, platinum.
Private Collection, Wyoming
Lace Fan Brooch
2001
Diamonds, silver, gold.
Chantal Miller
Camellia Brooch
2010
Rubies, sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Tulip Brooch
2008
Rubies, diamonds, sapphires, garnets, silver, gold, enamel.
Private Collection
Rose Brooch
2013
Rubies, sapphires, spinels, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Lilac Brooches
2001–2
Diamonds, garnets, sapphires, aluminum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Bouquet Earrings
2013
Sapphires, garnets, amethysts, diamonds, aquamarines, aluminum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Lilac Box
2002
Jasper, garnets, enamel, bronze.
Private Collection
Pendant Earrings
2011
Beetle wings, emeralds, tsavorite garnets, diamonds, silver, platinum.
Private Collection
Sautoir Necklace
2012
Turquoise, demantoid and other garnets, emeralds, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Sheep’s Head Brooch
1997
Sapphires, aluminum, gold.
Suzanne Syz
Wisteria Earrings
2010
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Hellebore Brooch
2004
Diamonds, demantoid garnets, sapphires, silver, gold, enamel.
Private Collection
Pendant Earrings
2012
Oriental pearls, emeralds, diamonds, platinum, gold.
Private Collection
Strawberry Pendant Earrings
2011
Sapphires, diamonds, bronze, silver, platinum, gold.
Private Collection
Raspberry Pendant Earrings
2012
Rubies, diamonds, bronze, platinum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Raspberry Brooch
2011
Rubies, diamonds, bronze, silver, gold, platinum.
Private Collection, Hong Kong
Onion Brooch
2010
Antique micro mosaic, rubies, diamonds, silver, gold, platinum.
Private Collection
Leek Brooch
1989
Diamonds, garnets, silver, gold.
Mr. D.M. Ngo
Lettuce Leaf and 18th Century Micro Mosaic Rabbit Brooches
2013
Micro mosaic, garnets, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Knot Earrings
1987
Diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Iris Brooch
2000
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Rose Bangle Bracelet
1998
Gold.
Private Collection

Geranium Brooch
2007
Diamonds, aluminum, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Geranium Brooch
2007
Aluminum, gold.
Private Collection
Geranium Leaf Brooch
2007
Aluminum, gold.
Private Collection
Lace Cuff Bracelets
2001
Diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection
Lily of the Valley Brooch
1991
Oriental pearl, diamonds, platinum, gold.
Private Collection
Hoop Earrings
2010
Emeralds, diamonds, platinum, gold.
Private Collection
Gardenia Earrings
2007
Agate, diamonds, platinum.
Private Collection
Gardenia Ring
2004
Diamonds, silver, gold.
Private Collection

Butterfly Brooches
1987-2013
Quartz, diamonds, silver, gold, sapphires, enamel, jade, rubies, rock crystal, amethysts, spinels, tourmalines, citrines, aquamarines, garnets, brown and white diamonds, chrysoprase, moonstones, topaz, platinum.
Private Collections

Dragonfly Brooch (389)
1996
Jade, sapphires, fire and other opals, tourmalines, garnets, diamonds, silver, gold.
Mrs. Carol Yu
Dragonfly Brooch (393)
2005
Diamonds, rubies, silver, gold.
Mrs. Carol Yu
Photography Beth Horta for Sweet Sabelle.
6 Comments
thank you so much for posting – your photographs are awesome and you cared enough to post the descriptions! i’m in tears of joy!!!!!!! have you seen the lily pads? to die for- i saw them on a tiny pic in this collage on instagram -swoon!!!!!
Hi Beth,
I was in awe when I saw this exhibit yesterday! Looking forward to see you again in January @ Flower School.
Beijos e um Happy Thanksgiving para voce e sua familia.
Cristiane
Ever since learning about this exhibit I’d been eating my heart out that I couldn’t see it. You have no idea how your beautiful pictures made my day!
Thank you!
What wonderful memories your post brought back, just being in the same rooms with all that magnificence… I forgot about the wall of butterflies! The autumn necklace will always be my favorite.
I hope you got to see the latest showat The Met, “Jewelry: The Body Transformed”.
Thank you again!
Thank you!
thank you so much from Istanbul for sharing these beauties