T he colour yellow has inspired some of the greatest artists of all time, from Rembrandt and Van Gogh to Mark Rothko and Anish Kapoor. Yellow diamonds - incredibly rare and sought after by jewelry connoisseurs - have similarly played a key role in the history of jewelry.
Celebrating jewelry as a form of art, the nine pieces in the collection will be showcased in Sotheby’s London galleries from 21 February until 5 March 2019, alongside works from Sotheby’s forthcoming Impressionist and Modern Art sales.
Raised in Brazil and Monaco, Lily is inspired by her passion for nature, art and architecture, having grown up in a household that celebrates artists and architects alike. She was drawn to the energy and culture of London where she founded Lily Gabriella Fine Jewellery, designing private commissions by appointment.
Her expert eye was trained in the valuation and appraisal of fine jewelry in an international auction house, and her technical capabilities developed under the tutelage of one of the world's greatest jewellers. Lily’s jewelry celebrates her love of colour, vibrant design and exceptional craftsmanship. She creates statement pieces which combine sculptural lines with contrasting colours, unusual materials, and the finest gemstones and diamonds.
Patti Wong, Founder and Chairman of Sotheby’s Diamonds, said: “Lily is somewhat of an architect of light and colour. The jewels she has created perfectly capture Sotheby’s Diamonds’ unique signature, where diamonds are the masterpieces, always at the heart of the composition. Some say yellow is “the new Millennial pink”! With their resolute modernity, Lily’s creations will no doubt resonate to the young generation, but above all they celebrate the timeless and universal beauty of diamonds”.
Lily Gabriella Elia added: “It is a rare privilege for a jeweller to be given the opportunity to work with such a “palette” of diamonds and create the perfect frame for them. Each diamond has its own personality and my aim was to enhance their intrinsic quality and colour with the use of unusual materials and contrasting coloured gemstones. I have always been fascinated by the way architects sculpt light and this is what I have tried to reproduce here, with geometric and quasi-biomorphic shapes capturing the life and light of the diamonds.”
