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.’
INFORMATION
-
Ulla Johnson’s collaboration with artist Julie Hamisky on the A/W 2025 runway is blooming lovelyUlla Johnson and French artist Julie Hamisky have created 12 new jewellery pieces for the designer's A/W 2025 runway
-
Tasneem Sarkez's heady mix of kitsch, Arabic and Americana hits LondonArtist Tasneem Sarkez draws on an eclectic range of references for her debut solo show, 'White-Knuckle' at Rose Easton
-
Meet Minnette de Silva, the trailblazing Sri Lankan modernist architectSri Lankan architect Minnette de Silva is celebrated in a new book by author Anooradha Iyer Siddiq, who looks into the modernist's work at the intersection of ecology, heritage and craftsmanship
-
Sophie Bille Brahe’s wedding bands trace the undulating curves of her engagement ringsSophie Bille Brahe’s new collection of wedding bands echoes the fluid silhouettes of her most popular engagement rings
-
Engagement rings for the modern minimalistEngagement rings become understated and elegant adornments in the hands of Spanish brand Sansoeurs
-
Hannah Martin rethinks the traditional engagement ringThe jeweller adds a twist to a classic with new engagement ring collection ‘Mad Love’
-
Jewellery designers are ringing the changes for men’s wedding bands
