Blooming Blossom: A Masterpiece of Multiwear Jewelry

Xincheng Zhang's Award-Winning Design Merges Tradition and Innovation

Flowers, symbols of joy and pleasure, have long been a recurring theme in art and poetry. Zhang's inspiration for 'Blooming Blossom' stemmed from this very symbolism. The piece integrates five culturally significant flowers - lotus, peony, chrysanthemum, calla lily, and magnolia - into one whole. The flowering period of these flowers alternates throughout the year, implying happiness all year round and symbolizing everlasting blooming.

The uniqueness of 'Blooming Blossom' lies in its blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The combination of jade and gold in ornaments dates back to ancient China, with nephrite jade being prized for its profound beauty and lofty moral connotations. Zhang's design, while rooted in this tradition, is a contemporary piece of jewelry that is transformable for multi-wear needs. The certified natural nephrite jade is hand-carved and set in 18K gold with diamonds inlaid, making it a true masterpiece.

The realization of 'Blooming Blossom' involved traditional jade carving techniques, with the nephrite jade hand-carved into petals that fit closely to the curved mount of 18K gold. A uniquely designed hidden gold hub piece holds the petal pendants, ring, and bangle together, allowing the piece to be transformed as needed. The design also serves as a sculpture for display when not worn, adding to its versatility.

The project, which started in June 2020 and finished in September 2020 in Tianjin, China, was not without its challenges. Combining five different petals derived from different flowers to form a new flower that doesn't exist in reality was a creative hurdle. Furthermore, ensuring the consistency of the whiteness and luster of the high-quality nephrite jade across all petals required rich experience in material selection, design, and jade carving techniques.

Despite these challenges, 'Blooming Blossom' emerged as a triumph of design and craftsmanship. The design was awarded Platinum in A' Jewelry, Eyewear, and Watch Design Award in 2023, a testament to its exceptional innovation and contribution to societal wellbeing. The award recognizes world-class designs that advance the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, making the world a better place.