Inspired by Nature: Jewels by JAR at The MET

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

Dragonfly Brooch (393)
2005
Diamonds, rubies, silver, gold.

Mrs. Carol Yu

 

Photography Beth Horta for Sweet Sabelle.