Unveiling the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” Earrings
Hailing from the prestigious Tiffany & Co. 2017 Blue Book high jewelry collection, these captivating earrings are a testament to nature’s ephemeral beauty and Tiffany’s unparalleled artistry. Their evocative name, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” directly references the enchanting Brunfelsia flower, a species of jasmine known for its unique characteristic of changing colors as it blooms.
Designers masterfully employed a harmonious blend of precious gemstones to interpret this fascinating chromatic evolution. The result is a striking, abstract natural theme, presented through a sophisticated geometric rhombus pattern that captures a moment in time.
A Floral Muse: The Brunfelsia Jasmine
The Brunfelsia jasmine, often affectionately called the “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” flower, served as the core inspiration for these remarkable pieces. This particular bloom transitions through distinct color phases—from a vibrant purple when freshly opened, gradually fading to a lighter lavender, and finally settling into a delicate white. This natural phenomenon provided a rich palette and poetic narrative for Tiffany’s skilled artisans to translate into wearable art.
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Gemstone Selection
At the heart of these extraordinary earrings lies a meticulous selection of gemstones, each chosen to embody the poetic theme of the Brunfelsia flower. The careful arrangement of rubellites, pink sapphires, and diamonds brings the concept of temporal color transition to life in a breathtaking display of high jewelry design.
The Captivating Rubellite Centerpieces
Anchoring the design are two magnificent cushion-cut rubellite center stones, dramatically set at the base of each earring. These vibrant gems evoke the rich, rose-red hue of the jasmine flower in its initial, most vivid stage of blooming.
- Total Weight: 16.85 carats, making them a significant focal point.
- Color Purity: Rubellites are celebrated for maintaining their full, intense color under both natural sunlight and artificial light, distinguishing them powerfully from ordinary pink tourmalines which often exhibit faint brownish undertones.
- Significance: This specific variety of tourmaline is among the most highly valued for its striking saturation and consistent brilliance, ensuring a captivating sparkle.
A Kaleidoscope of Pink Sapphires and Diamonds
Extending gracefully from the cushion-cut rubellites, a sophisticated diamond pattern forms a vertical grid element. This intricate framework is thoughtfully composed to represent the jasmine’s evolving colors and the passage of time.
- Diamond Edges: Two opposing edges of the intricate rhombus pattern are meticulously inlaid with brilliant round-cut diamonds, symbolizing the lighter, perhaps ‘tomorrow’ stage of the flower.
- Pink Sapphire Edges: The other two sets of edges feature exquisite pink sapphires, representing the intermediate pastel shades as the bloom gradually changes color, adding depth and visual interest.
Symbolism Woven in Design
The meticulous arrangement of gemstones transcends mere aesthetics; it tells a compelling story. Running through the center of each earring, a continuous vertical axis crafted from precisely cut step-shaped pink sapphires not only adds a distinct geometric appeal but also subtly alludes to the passage of time itself. This unique design element powerfully reinforces the collection’s central theme, suggesting a graceful evolution through distinct moments, frozen in an eternal bloom.
