Diamond rings become offbeat adornments in the hands of Shihara. The Tokyo-based jewellery brand brings a subversive twist with a new collection of alternative engagement rings inspired by an eclectic-shaped collection of diamonds.
‘My designs may appear minimal because I approach designing them as functional fixtures, rather than decorative pieces,’ Shihara designer Yuta Ishihara tells us. ‘People are so accustomed to the use of certain clasps and closures – such as the necklace clasp, earring backs or even buttons – that they are not often re-examined. Innovation is about proposing something new and never seen, so I often try to redefine the way jewellery is worn by rethinking functionalities that have been passed down for centuries.’
The new collection of rings places diamonds in unexpected positions, rethinking classic forms. Triangle-shaped diamonds teeter on their gold bands, or in other pieces sit ensconced, grid-like, in circles of gold. While usually led by design, Ishihara this time put the unique shapes of the diamonds at the forefront, with the rings designed to accentuate their cuts and characters. Thin-cut, the diamonds are unexpectedly flat and with a larger surface area, making them comfortable to wear. Without the need for prongs, they can be worn close to the finger.
‘Each rough diamond has a unique shape, and diamonds are priced according to their carat weight,’ adds Ishihara. ‘Even if the visible surface area of a diamond is small, it is generally more valuable if it has depth; the fewer number of carats it has, the less it is worth, so diamond cutters try to cut as little off the rough diamond as possible. In this collection, I chose mostly thin-cut diamonds, instead of popular brilliant, princess and emerald cuts that are more commonly available.’
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