A while back we talked about the artistic effect of breaking the rules—I'd like to continue that conversation today by talking about one design feature that breaks a fundamental rule: covering a cabochon. Generally when you're using a cab, whether it's something natural like a gemstone or something frothy and modern like Lucite, the rule is that the beads go around the cabochon in a frame or a bezel. The cabochon itself is supposed to be the focal point.
But every now and again there comes a piece that uses the cabochon itself as a frame, such as this labradorite ring from Anthropologie:
Here, the rich blue of the labradorite supports the twining gold of the vines with their starry diamonds. The geometric perfection of the cabochon is contrasted with the organic, nubbly texture of the gold and the asymmetry of the diamonds. The cab might have been too stark on its own, and the vines would have looked spindly without a support structure underneath them. The combination of the two elements makes for a harmonious, unique piece.
Try This On:
- I mentioned the Lucite? Been looking for an excuse to play with those glowy little bastards.
- These tall Swarovski fancy stones are just waiting to be wrapped in wire or draped in seed bead flowers.