The turquoise of our Lava series
With increasing rarity due to scarcity, turquoise brings its ancient history alongside a pop of colour to jewellery.
Turquoise has long been revered for its appearance — a distinct shade of blue that can steer towards sea-green. With a recent appearance at the Jewellery Show 2022 in London, the unmistakable gemstone is core in the Lava series, and inspires the design appeal that TVRRINI brings to jewellery lovers.
A brief overview of turquoise
Colour, texture, and the prominence of dark inclusions known as matrix are the three major factors when grading turquoise. One of the earliest known turquoise mines was situated in Mada, Iran. The rich history of turquoise from the Nishapur district has contributed to the gemstone's various shades of blue, such as “robin’s egg blue” and “sky blue”. This trend continued to excel with the increasing demand for turquoise as these areas expanded in economic significance, despite gemstones being supplied from other sources.
Turquoise sometimes displays a deep shade of blue with black matrix as shown in this Lava pendant crafted from 18K rose gold, accentuated by orange sapphire.
Sourcing our turquoise
The unique colour combination of non-dyed turquoise in the Lava series is reminiscent of spider-web patterns, sourced from a special lot in Colorado during the 1980s.
Over the decades since, mines across Southwest America ran dry and miners shut down operations. As a result, acquiring authentic gem-quality turquoise has become a valuable investment for collectors and jewellery enthusiasts. The stunning beauty of this gemstone is a must-have in bold collections.
Enter the Lava series
Inspired by Atlantis and dramatic images of volcanic eruptions, TVRRINI presents the Lava Series. This is the essence of a bold statement. Being one-of-a-kind, the blue-orange-pink colour scheme reflects the dynamic rush in these natural occurences.
Its motif is the lava flow manifesting as fluid shapes. The majority of the collection consists of drop earrings that capture the burst of lava ejecting into an ocean. The drop can be removed, allowing you to adjust it to showcase a different side and make the design come alive.
There are also pendants expressing the strength of eruptions. Surrounding each turquoise are hand-selected orange sapphires, rubies and diamonds, all set in rose gold for a vivid interplay of colour and texture.
Inspiration: an active volcano site in Santorini, 1994.
The design process started when TVRRINI became fascinated by volcanic imagery. Around 1600 BCE, an eruption happened along the northern coast of Crete, having a colossal impact on the land that would later be the formation of present-day Santorini. The volcanic eruption on Thera, which preceded Santorini, is among the most significant records in human history.
Much of the creative process is about following intuition. As an example, we pair up natural blue turquoise and pink tourmaline for one-of-a-kind Lava Earrings, exploring combinations until we find one that has feels just right, having a sense of harmony. Intuition feeds into gemstone selection, goldsmithing, and final texturing.
To create the rose gold settings, we start by sculpting wax directly onto the gemstone, and work at it until the overall shape suits our vision for the design. Wax can be added to or subtracted from so it is a forgiving medium. Once the carving is satisfactory, the wax enters casting. This method of shaping ensures each jewellery piece is uniquely different.
Harmony begins to emerge in the design during the gemstone setting phase. The ultimate step involves polishing, refining these molten shapes to mirror the aftermath of volcanic eruptions with lava cascading into the ocean.
