UNCUT CHIC - Roughdiamonds.dk

UNCUT CHIC
Danish jewellery house Roughdiamonds.dk
creates distinctive, stylish pieces in the belief
that every raw diamond has a story to tell
Maya Bjørnsten, owner of Roughdiamonds.dk
stone, you take away its unique story. Even its
in Denmark, admits that before she came across
colour tells a tale – green, yellow and the rarer
her company’s namesake gemstone, her talent
pink and blue stones are all created depending
as a jewellery designer had lain largely dormant.
on the elements that were present when the
It was a chance encounter – a look through
stone came into being.’
some of her husband’s photographs of the
In fact, uniqueness is key to each of Maya’s
uncut natural diamonds that he had taken in
pieces. She carefully designs the housing for
Antwerp, the capital of the world’s diamond
every one of her rings, pendants, necklaces,
trade – that sparked what would become a
bracelets or cufflinks using white gold or
deep passion. Maya immediately tried to source
yellow gold. ‘I go by their natural form,’ she
a piece of jewellery made from rough diamonds,
says. ‘These stones speak to you, and I can
and discovered that there were precious few
see that with my clients. They pick up a
available. So she set about making her own.
particular ring and say “this is the one”.’
‘There are few people in the world with
Once Maya has completed her design,
access to rough diamonds. My clients benefit
diamond setters and goldsmiths set about
from the fact I’m one of them and can acquire
making it real. And the designer insists on
diamonds of different shapes and characteristics,’
only working with highly experienced artisans.
says Maya.
‘It’s understated luxury that I’m selling,’ she says.
‘Many of my clients haven’t been able to find
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HAND-PICKED STONES
a piece of jewellery that they can identify with
‘Every stone is unique,’ she continues. ‘And in
elsewhere, while others are tired of bling and
their uncut, unpolished state they exhibit a raw
looking for something more authentic.’
beauty; they are as Mother Nature created them.’
In 2009, the Queen of Denmark expressed
Maya hand-picks every one of the diamonds
interest in Maya’s work and invited the jewellery
she uses – all of which are of gem quality, which
designer to conceive a piece to exhibit at the
makes up only 20 per cent of the diamonds in
royal residence museum. Maya created a beautiful
trade. She then considers the design, sometimes
164-carat tiara, using 1,033 diamond rocks. ‘It was
over a matter of months. ‘The diamond itself is
a tiara for the 21st century,’ says Maya. ‘My mantra
my inspiration,’ she explains. ‘The design has to
is “love it like it is, don’t try and change it”.’
showcase its beauty. When you cut and polish a
www.roughdiamonds.dk
RREC 2014 YEARBOOK