Gold Jewelry Design · 2020
Ataraxia Jewelry Collection
by Yilan Liu
- A' Design Award 2020 Gold Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: Yilan Jewelry
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 87,264
- Verification code E6FBC48DBC · Verify this award
About Ataraxia Jewelry Collection
Combining with fashion and advanced technology, the project aims to create jewelry pieces which can make the old Gothic elements into a new style, discussing the potential of the traditional in the contemporary context. With the interest in the way how Gothic vibes influences audience, the project also tries to provoke unique individual experience through playful interaction, exploring the relationship between design and wearers. Synthetic gemstones, as a lower eco-imprint material, were cut into unusually flat surfaces to cast their colors onto the skin to enhance the interaction.
Yilan Liu's Ataraxia Jewelry Collection emerges from the intersection of contemporary sculptural practice and wearable adornment, representing a distinctive achievement in architectural jewelry design that transforms precious materials into meditative objects of remarkable formal intelligence. The collection's title, derived from the ancient Greek philosophical concept of tranquil equanimity, finds material expression through the measured rhythm of interlacing silver bands that simultaneously protect and reveal the geometric gemstones they embrace. Liu's technical approach demonstrates sophisticated understanding of structural engineering principles translated into intimate scale, where each curved metal element contributes to both aesthetic effect and functional integrity, creating frameworks that appear to float around their crystalline contents rather than merely contain them. The chromatic progression from pale amethyst through intermediate blues to deep sapphire within the bracelet suggests contemplation of atmospheric phenomena, perhaps the subtle gradations of twilight sky or the varying depths of clear water, while the unexpected magenta stone in the accompanying ring introduces a note of vital energy that prevents the collection from retreating into purely cool contemplation. The consistent triangular faceting across all gemstones establishes visual coherence while creating internal light play that activates the pieces from multiple viewing angles. The botanical quality of the ascending silver elements in the lower ring evokes organic growth patterns, suggesting that these objects participate in natural processes of unfolding and becoming rather than existing as static ornamental statements. One might observe that the collection invites its wearer toward the philosophical state its name invokes, offering objects whose visual complexity rewards sustained attention while their material refinement suggests enduring value. How might adorning oneself with such architecturally conceived pieces transform one's experience of both self-presentation and inner awareness?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Inspired by Gothic architecture, the collection encapsulates the sublime internal atmosphere, exploiting Gothic structural details to stimulate the particular feelings and explore emotional experience. Synthetic gemstones, as a lower eco-imprint material, were cut into unusually flat surfaces to cast their colors onto the skin to enhance the vibe. Immersive exploration of the precious culture is encouraged by the collection. The jewelry acts as a media to provoke unique individual experience. The design challenged the production to realize all the details to achieve the final result.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Ring No.1: 41mm x 18mm x 30mm;
Ring No.2: 28mm x 28mm x 36mm;
Bangle: 75mm x 75mm x 22mm;
Earring: 21mm x 59mm x 8mm - Tags
- jewelry, ring, bangle, earring, Gothic architecture, culture, emotional experience, eco-friendly, interaction, synthetic gemstones
- Production Technology
- The production lasted about one month including wax curving, casting, stone cutting, model modification, stone setting, metal finishing and gold plating. Some design details were adjusted during this process. The materials are synthetic gemstones including cubic zirconia, synthetic spinel and synthetic ruby which were cut into usually flat surfaces. For the metal part, the material is goldplated silver.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was to realize all the design details to achieve the best result. There were many details in the design which made it difficult to well polish all the corners without damaging. After several experiments, I finally chose sand blasting as the main metal finishing which combined with full polish of the top faces of the settings, ensuring all the details as well as giving the collection a feel of flexibility. Also, the stone cutting process went through a lot of experiments to decide the thickness to gain the best effect.
- Project Duration
- The project started in October 2017 in London and finished in May 2019 in London, and was exhibited in Central Saint Martins Degree Show in June 2019 and was awarded as Distinction. The production was finished in China.
- Operation Flow
- The designs were inspired from Gothic architecture. Wearers will be easily attracted by its amazing appearance with elegant details. The pieces combine the old with the new, explaining the traditional culture with contemporary fashion language. When wearing the jewelry, the beautiful lines flow with the body, the bright colors cast onto the skin, creating a poetic experience for individuals. It is jewelry, but more than jewelry. It is a combination of culture, aesthetic, fashion and emotion.
- Research
- The research concentrated on Gothic culture and the purchasing behavior of customers towards contemporary jewelry from books, journals, online articles and relevant market data. The research showed the potential of making the old into the new in the perspectives of market and technology. Besides, the case studies were given on market, trend and manufacture with online research and interviews, as first-hand investigations underscoring the value of the project. All the research promoted the development of the project and completed the project in the academic way.
- Inspiration
- The collection was inspired by ancient Gothic architecture. This traditional style is fading with time, but it can be reborn in a new way with jewelry. Combining with fashion and advanced technology, the project aims to create jewelry pieces which can make the old into a new style, discussing the potential of the traditional in the contemporary context. With the interest in the way how the Gothic vibe influences audience and based on the vast research on Gothic culture, the project also tries to provoke unique individual experience through playful interaction, exploring the relationship between design and wearers.
- Image Credits
- #1, 2, 3, 4, 5: Photographer Xiaowu Yu, 2019
Colors of Ataraxia Jewelry Collection
Get Ataraxia Jewelry Collection
Contemporary Jewelry with Emotional Resonance
We craft exquisite jewelry pieces that capture life's poetry, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Our collections explore the intimate relationship between wearer and jewelry, creating unique experiences through thoughtful details and innovative techniques.
G0E26 ShopDesign Interview about Ataraxia Jewelry Collection
The collection was inspired by ancient Gothic architecture. This traditional style is fading with time, but it can be reborn in a new way with jewelry. Combining with fashion and advanced technology, the project aims to create jewelry pieces which can make the old into a new style, discussing the potential of the traditional in the contemporary context. With the interest in the way how light influences audience, my design also tries to provoke unique individual experience through playful interaction, exploring the relationship between design and wearers.
I focused on the way how jewelry influences the wearers and explored the relationship between them. I studied the influence of colorful light and applied it into my jewelry pieces. So the final pieces are interactive with the light pouring onto the skin.
I want to continue the design. Design is endless. I would like to try different methods to explore different possibilities of the award winning design.
It took me more than one year. The design process took the most of the time, such as research, sketch, model making and etc.
I want to sell my work because I hope more people design can
It's my obsession of light, as well as my experience of visiting Gothic architecture. I was shocked by how the light pouring from stained glass windows influences the audience. I decided to explore the effect of light and space using jewelry as the vehicle.
My MA tutor Simon helped me a lot. His advise of exploring synthetic gemstones made my final pieces achieve both concept and high quality.
Independent women who pursue personal identity with spare money. They believe jewelry is not only a decoration, but also what they choose to express themselves, about their insight.