At the heart of Spring Blooming lies the designer's intent to encapsulate the soothing and stress-relieving experience of the season's first blooms. The choice of pink spinels is not arbitrary; these gemstones mirror the romantic hues of spring and highlight the charm of smaller, irregular stones often overlooked in the jewelry market. The design's strength lies in its simplicity and versatility, offering wearers the ability to don the brooches in various combinations or as standalone pieces.
Ying Li's approach to design is characterized by a minimalist aesthetic, with flat design principles at play. The brooches, each a semi-circular shape, can be paired to form a complete circle, symbolizing a flower's petal. The collection's technical realization is equally impressive, involving meticulous CAD drawings, casting in 18K white gold, and careful setting of pink spinels and diamonds to ensure a flawless finish.
The specifications of the brooches—15.64x31.48x7.87mm and 15.67x31.55x7.84mm—reveal a dedication to precision. The collection boasts 5.724cts of pink spinel and 0.376cts of diamonds, with a total weight of 14.345g. Ying Li's design process, spanning from October 2022 to August 2023 across Zhejiang and Yunnan, China, underscores the global nature of contemporary jewelry design.
Ying Li's research delved into the undervalued potential of small and irregularly shaped colored gemstones. By reimagining these stones within the Spring Blooming brooches, the designer challenges conventional market perceptions and offers a fresh perspective on gemstone value. The brooches serve not only as accessories but also as wearable art that invokes the tranquility and beauty of nature.
One of the collection's notable challenges was sourcing gemstones that matched in color, quality, and irregular shape—a testament to Ying Li's commitment to the design's integrity. The resulting brooches are a harmonious blend of art and nature, designed to be both a statement piece and a subtle nod to the wearer's appreciation for the understated elegance of spring.
In conclusion, Ying Li's Spring Blooming brooches represent a significant achievement in jewelry design, meriting the Bronze A' Jewelry Design Award for their creative ingenuity and contribution to enhancing life's aesthetic experiences. These brooches are not only a celebration of spring but also a symbol of the designer's vision and meticulous craftsmanship.
Project Designers: Ying Li
Image Credits: Ying Li
Project Team Members: Ying Li
Project Name: Spring Blooming
Project Client: MY.WANCE JEWELRY AND GEMSTONE