Gemfields has teamed up with Los Angeles-based jewellery label ĀZLEE to create Origins, an eightpiece capsule collection inspired by the landscape of Zambia and its world-renowned emeralds. Comprising rings, necklaces, pendant charms and earrings, all featuring responsibly mined gems from Gemfields’ Kagem mine, this brand-new collaboration is like a love letter to these iconic green jewels, which are forever synonymous with the sense of hope and renewal associated with spring.

Gemfields is a world-leading responsible miner and marketer of coloured gemstones and the majority-owner and operator of both Kagem in Zambia (thought to be the world’s largest producing emerald mine) and the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique. Gemfields strives to be a leader within the industry and aims to bring benefit to the gemstones’ places of origin: mining with transparency, legitimacy and integrity and funding initiatives to improve local community health, education and livelihoods.

Founded by Baylee Zwart in 2015, ĀZLEE takes its inspiration from ancient jewellery practices, Art Deco architecture and the natural world to form a singular design vision. Mindful of adhering to responsible practices and minimising its environmental impact, ĀZLEE creates timeless, highquality jewellery infused with nature and a sense of 1980s glamour. Versatile and modern, ĀZLEE designs have been worn by Emma Watson, Rihanna, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Zoë Kravitz and Scarlett Johansson.

Each piece in the new ĀZLEE x Gemfields Origins collection was crafted in the Los Angeles atelier by master jewellers, using recycled 18k gold, with a portion of proceeds from each sale being donated to charities supporting efforts to rebuild following the fires that devastated the Los Angeles area at the start of this year. Previous collections have supported marine conservation charities.

Describing the collaboration with Gemfields, Zwart explains: “To frame the emeralds, I chose our core sculptural element, the staircase, which was inspired by the architecture of ancient structures and pyramids. I explored new iterations, playing with softer profiles of this concept to nod to Zambia’s winding rivers.” Many pieces in the Origins collection use a spread of diamond pave to accentuate the colourful beauty of the emeralds, while the lines and shapes of the pieces echo the patterns of Zambia’s mountains and rivers.

The Contour Emerald Pave Diamond Ring nods to the Art Deco past, as do the Staircase 3-Tier Pave and Emerald Hoops. The Fluid Staircase Earrings with Emerald Drops (with or without pave) perfectly showcase ĀZLEE’s signature staircase silhouette. The collection includes two playful charms designed to dangle from a pendant: the Contour Emerald Pave Diamond Charm and Fluid Staircase Emerald Pave Diamond Charm. The two necklaces – the Contour Staircase Emerald Woven Necklace and Le Nouveau Emerald Cascade Necklace – both exude 1980s Hollywood glamour and sophistication.

“We are proud to have partnered with Gemfields to offer our clients pieces that feature high quality gemstones of trusted provenance,” says Zwart.

“The arrival of spring this year gives reason to seek a talisman for hope, growth and new beginnings, and Gemfields is delighted to partner with ĀZLEE, whose clever emerald jewellery pieces offer an appealing choice. There’s a softness and warmth to the gold forms that frame each Zambian emerald, evoking a sense of treasure with unabashed 1980s glamour. The emeralds in each designs are well positioned to dance in the light and radiate optimism - particularly so in the drop earrings - and these desktop-to-dancefloor, boardroom-to-bar designs almost demand to be enjoyed!” says Emily Dungey, Gemfields’ Marketing and Communications Director.

The ĀZLEE x Gemfields Origins collection ranges from USD 7,950 to USD 26,000 and is available from 8 April 2025 on ĀZLEE.

Courtesy: AOJ Desk News