From Sarah Ho’s new “Bright Young Things” collection, the “Laguna Ring” features a 5.62-carat aquamarine and 0.19 carats of diamonds set in 18-karat yellow gold and a special titanium and aluminum alloy the designer created, anodized blue. It’s priced at £11,200 or about $15,472, per current exchange rates.
London—British jewelry designer Sarah Ho’s ebullient creations are no less joyful since the world has faced the challenges of a pandemic.
The London-based designer’s newest collection, “Bright Young Things” leans into her signature jubilance.
“These pieces celebrate our emergence from our lockdown,” said Ho via a spokesperson, “a world full of color and beautiful experiences. A chance to rediscover our lives, new places and old friends—a celebration of new beginnings.”
The “Carnivale Earrings” in 18-karat rose gold and coral enamel with 14.93 carats of star sapphires, 7.01 carats of opals, and 0.51 carats of diamonds (£13,400 or about $18,512, per current exchange rates)
The “Gala Ring” in 18-karat rose gold and neon pink enamel with an 8.53-carat rubellite, mother-of-pearl beads, 0.06 carats of rubies and 1.26 carats of diamonds (£17,100 or about $23,623, per current exchange rates)
Another view of the “Gala Ring”
Full of one-of-a-kind treasures, “Bright Young Things” offers a diverse array of colored gemstones as each piece’s focal point, building a colorful story around each, whether through an elaborate monochrome palette or contrasting shades via additional gemstones, interesting metal techniques and enamel.
Finely wrought metalwork is a Sarah Ho signature, attributed to her background in fashion design and a love of texture and beading on fabrics.
The technically adventurous creative has introduced a new metal alloy for her latest range that combines titanium and aluminum—materials that are lightweight but durable—and oxidizing it in an array of shades.
This can be seen in the “Mirage Ring” featuring peridot set in a dusty-pink metal (pictured below) and the “Laguna Ring” with aquamarine set in cobalt blue metal (pictured at top of article).
The “Mirage Ring” in 18-carat rose gold, with titanium and aluminum alloy anodized pink, a 9.14-carat peridot and 0.18 carats of diamonds (price available upon request through Second Petale Gallery)
The “Glow Earrings” in 18-karat rose gold with pale yellow enamel, 15.19 carats of pear-shaped morganites, 9.47 carats of pink opals and 0.47 carats of diamonds (£19,100 or about $26,436 per current exchange rates)
The “Tropicale Earrings” in 18-karat yellow gold with neon-orange enamel, 28.34 carats of yellow beryl, 10.03 carats of turquoise beads and 0.44 carats of diamonds (£12,500 or about $17,268, per current exchange rates)
Ho likes the alloy she formulated for its ability to showcase intricate detail.
The “Mirage Ring” recently debuted as one of Parisian fine jewelry and art gallery Second Petale’s offerings on the PAD art fair’s e-commerce website, launched last year due to the pandemic.
Like many designers, the stillness of lockdown proved an artistic breeding ground of ideas for Ho.
She taught herself to draw on an iPad and shared her sketches with her audience along the way on Instagram, soliciting feedback and even allowing them to guide certain designs through polls.
The “Eden Ring” in 18-karat yellow gold with white and black enamel, 15.33 carats of tourmaline, 0.4 carats of emeralds and 1.82 carats of diamonds (£13,500 or about $18,650, per current exchange rates)
The “Solar Earrings” in 18-karat yellow gold with pink enamel, 17.84 carats of tourmalines, 14.03 carats of pink opals and 1.71 carats of diamonds (£21,700 or about $29,978, per current exchange rates)
The “Opera Ring” in 18-karat rose gold, “pearl-esque ceramic,” a 3.59-carat pink tourmaline, 0.62 carats of opals, 0.34 carats of sapphires and 0.39 carats of diamonds (£12,400 or about $17,130, per current exchange rates)
“Each piece imagines an outside world, place and emotion,” Ho said through her spokesperson. “Brightness and color are in sharp contrast to the uncertain days of being locked in.”
The optimistic collection begins at £11,200 or about $15,472, per current exchange rates. More information is available on the Sarah Ho website.