Boucheron taps into its archive of natural beauty, finding inspiration in wildflowers and insects to unveil 28 new creations in its high jewellery collection: Untamed Nature
Beautiful creations often find their inspiration in nature, as illustrated by the poet William Wordsworth, who chanced upon a host of golden daffodils during a stroll in an English garden, an encounter that sparked his beloved poem, Daffodils.
For Frédéric Boucheron, nature was not merely a muse but a guiding force, evident in the ivy that entwined the arcades of the Palais-Royal, where he opened his first eponymous boutique in 1858. Boucheron’s eye for beauty extended beyond flora to encompass the delicate intricacies of fauna. Over time, he began to curate an archive rich with representations of ivy, thistles, ferns, flies, and bumblebees.
This year, creative director Claire Choisne draws on the rich heritage and pays homage to nature with 28 new high jewellery creations in Untamed Nature from the Histoire de Style family.
A standout is the Airelles collection, which transforms the humble lingonberry shrub into exquisite detachable necklaces that can convert into cascading brooches or smaller pins. An intricate linking system ensures that the stems flow together, each able to adapt and drape gracefully along the body’s contours.
Symbolising bravery and strength, the Chardon collection reinterprets the resilient thistle into a brooch first that was first launched in 1878. Despite its spiky appearance, the brooch is surprisingly comfortable to wear. The flame-shaped openwork on the back creates an organic effect while reducing the piece’s weight, enhancing the brilliance of the stones. This precision craftsmanship accommodates various diamond cuts selected for these creations.
Even the humble carrot—or rather, its flowers—enjoy their time in the spotlight in the Fleur de Carotte collection, where clusters of delicate white flowers are given due attention. These tiny white flowers, symbolising purity and innocence, are fashioned into artful brooches.
To achieve a realistic look with their fluffy appearance, each jewelled flower is painstakingly arranged within the cluster. Worn as a brooch or as a hair ornament, this technically complex creation features three different gem-setting techniques passed down through generations, allowing the stones to capture and reflect the light in a mesmerising display.
Beyond flora and fauna motifs, Boucheron introduces three ecosystem interpretations celebrating the interconnected beauty of the bee, ladybird, and fly. Innovative wearing styles redefine these pieces: a bee becomes an earring, while flexible spiral stems allow the other insects to rest effortlessly in the hair or on garments.
The Scarabée Rhinocéros beetle, known for its ability to lift up to 850 times its own weight, is reimagined by Boucheron. In the hands of its artisans, this brooch transforms into a striking two-finger ring. The lifelike wings, made from materials similar to those of bumblebees, feature metal partitions and black lacquer to create depth and contrast. Subtle wing movements and rock crystal craftsmanship provide a magnifying glass effect, revealing the intricate details of the insect’s body—an exquisite fusion of artistry and nature’s ingenuity.
