By Deirdre McQuillan.
JEWEL IN THE CROWN Radhika is a talented jeweller from New Delhi whose first collection of precious and semi-precious jewellery was showcased recently in Dublin. "Indian women did not have property rights until recently and their only source of investment was jewellery," she says. Her style is global, adapting Indian and Asian influences to European tastes. The stones, including yellow topaz, lemon topaz, rose-cut diamonds and tourmalines, are sourced from India, where the jewellery is hand-finished by third-generation artisans. Prices range from €10-€10,000; these chandelier earrings, for example, in 18-carat gold with rose-cut diamonds and tourmalines cost €2,500; while a rhodium-plated (a finish like platinum) ring with coloured zirconium stones is €150. Stockists include Anike in Brown Thomas, Ave Maria, Clarendon Street, and Robert Jacob, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2 (01-6613788). Radhika also works to commission (087-9970522)
ALLEZ FRANCE An industrial designer-turned-jeweller, Nelly Biche de Bère is well known in France and internationally for bold, innovative metal jewellery. Her first boutique opened in Paris on the Rue de Rennes in 1993 and there are now 30 all over France, as well as concessions in big French department stores. Such is Biche de Bère's reputation that she was awarded the Femme 3000 prize by the French Senate and was chosen to open the Year of France in China earlier this year. The jewellery has a hammered, almost Bronze Age look to it, but is actually fashioned from pewter and covered in 24-carat gold or nickel-free silver. Her work has been exhibited in museums such as the Whitney and the MoMA, and she produces some 6,000 different pieces every year with the help of 70 craftspeople in Châteaubriant, Brittany, as well as special collections for cosmetic companies. Now her jewellery can be found in the Design Centre in Dublin, Louise Kennedy's shop in Merrion Square, Dublin and in Avoca Handweavers, at prices from about €50. This striking bracelet, for example (above), is from the Khya collection and costs €114.40.