Luminous surfaces: Ina Beissner’s James Turrell-inspired jewels

Ina Beissner’s delicate designs – careful constructions of fine lines and discreet diamond details – are a fusion of her fascination with modernist architecture, a Latin American love of glamour and her mother’s own artworks. The jewellery designer's creative education is almost as multifarious as her background. Born to a Dominican mother and a German father, she grew up between South America and Germany, studying fashion at ESMOD Berlin, followed by jewellery design at IED Milan.
‘A huge and constant source of inspiration has always been my mother, the artist Altagracia Carrasco,’ Beissner explains. ‘Her personality, her style but also her sculptures and paintings. She is always pushing the boundaries between minimalism, abstraction and volume, letting the material do the talking – be it bronze, marble or wood.’ When she was a child, Beissner visited a goldsmith with her mother, where the artist would melt down her old jewellery and reform it according to her own designs.
Beissner’s choice of material is more singular. Handmade in Antwerp, her pieces are wrought exclusively in 18-ct gold and tiny diamonds are served with subtlety: studding the inner rim of a pair of slim gold hoops, or speckling the head of a pin-closed bangle.
The jeweller's work is attentive to femininity – and even, in her words, ‘vanity’ – but it’s her aesthetic education in contemporary art and architecture that informs her modern and minimalist forms. While she quotes Rem Koolhaas’ work at his studio OMA as an inspiration, her latest collection – dubbed LUA – is inspired by James Turrell’s experimental light installations. ‘In particular the way light comes out of the interstitial spaces within his luminous surfaces,’ she explains. With such careful conceptualisation, what ensues is an ultra wearable line, imbued with subtle luxury.
Left, ‘Lua’ double and single ring in gold with diamonds. Right, ‘Chikka’ large and medium earrings in gold with baguette studs and large earrings in gold with pear studs.
‘Lua’ ring in gold with diamonds.
Left, ‘Chikka’ mini earrings in gold with gold studs. Right, ‘Chikka’ large earrings in gold with brilliant studs
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Ina Beissner website
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Venerable British car-maker AC goes OTT with the high-output, low-slung AC GT SuperSport
Pitched at all-American fans of the original AC Cobra, the GT SuperSport is a fearsome two-seat roadster with more muscle than ever before
-
The dynamic young gallerists reinvigorating America's art scene
'Hugging has replaced air kissing' in this new wave of galleries with craft and community at their core
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week
While a few of our editors were in Europe for various showcases and launches, others stayed local, uncovering new cuisines, eccentric exhibitions and glorious gardens this side of the Channel
-
All eyes on Greek jewellery brand Lito as it launches bold new amulets to mark its 25 years
Striking amulets, seductive stones and secret messages characterise Lito's striking new anniversary collection, an extension of its ‘Tu es Partout’ series
-
The best layering necklaces for an elevated yet casual look
How to mix, match and stack jewellery for the ultimate high-energy, low-effort style
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windows
Four British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden Hour
Late summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hit
What started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to know
These independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal pieces
A host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a moment
We've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results