Beyoncé donates a gift from Jay-Z, her Glenn Spiro butterfly ring, to the V&A
Read Time:3 Minute, 2 Second
As one half of one of the world’s most powerful couples, Beyoncé is spoilt for choice when it comes to accessories. Fine jewellery is a particular passion: she’s rarely seen without heavy dustings of bling, from the layers of gold necklaces she styles casually on her Instagram feed, to the estimated £5 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz diamonds she wore to the Grammys earlier this year.
The singer has certified her status as a jewellery connoisseur by donating a piece from her extensive personal collection to London’s V&A museum. The butterfly ring, which sits alongside jewels previously worn by the likes of Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great in the museum’s William and Judith Bollinger gallery, was created by the British house G, helmed by charismatic jeweller Glenn Spiro.
The singer has certified her status as a jewellery connoisseur by donating a piece from her extensive personal collection to London’s V&A museum. The butterfly ring, which sits alongside jewels previously worn by the likes of Queen Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great in the museum’s William and Judith Bollinger gallery, was created by the British house G, helmed by charismatic jeweller Glenn Spiro.
“I’d call them friends more than clients; they are just very cool people,” Spiro says of the couple, who he met through a mutual friend eight years ago. “I went to see him and her play, and they’ve come to see what I do,” he laughs. At the time, Spiro was creating his own jewellery alongside high-end pieces for renowned maisons – eventually, in 2014, he launched his own house, which he operates out of a private atelier previously home to the couturier Norman Hartnell.
The ring to be exhibited at the V&A is one of Spiro’s signature designs, the Papillon, whose bejewelled wings flutter as the wearer moves her finger. Beyoncé can be seen wearing it in a couple of close-up shots taken by her husband. It was, Spiro reveals, a gift from Jay-Z to his wife, as were most of the G pieces the singer owns.
The ring to be exhibited at the V&A is one of Spiro’s signature designs, the Papillon, whose bejewelled wings flutter as the wearer moves her finger. Beyoncé can be seen wearing it in a couple of close-up shots taken by her husband. It was, Spiro reveals, a gift from Jay-Z to his wife, as were most of the G pieces the singer owns.
“[Jay-Z] usually buys for his wife, the old-fashioned way. He’s got very good taste. He likes great style, great artistry and great stones,” says Spiro.
Something of a kindred spirit then for Spiro, who worked as a goldsmith and gemstone dealer, and later as a jewellery specialist at Christie’s, before establishing his house. He prides himself on the artisanal, artistic spirit of his jewellery, which is eclectic in its aesthetics but often centred around a rare, exceptional stone – some of which he’s had in his vault for years.
Something of a kindred spirit then for Spiro, who worked as a goldsmith and gemstone dealer, and later as a jewellery specialist at Christie’s, before establishing his house. He prides himself on the artisanal, artistic spirit of his jewellery, which is eclectic in its aesthetics but often centred around a rare, exceptional stone – some of which he’s had in his vault for years.
Pieces can range from cascades of diamonds set in blue titanium – a relatively classic design for G – to emeralds arranged into fishbones falling from the ears, symmetrical cuffs featuring ancient arrowheads of coral, to flower-shaped cocktail rings whose petals open to reveal a rare gemstone at their centre. Quite the selection for a global superstar with several wardrobes full of extravagant designer clothing.
The blue titanium, tsavorite and diamond Papillon ring which Beyoncé chose to donate to the V&A is one of a few designs that G repeats in different combinations of gemstones – most of the pieces are one-offs. It was, Spiro says, one of the first versions he created in a line that has gone on to become “a bit of an icon” for his house.
The blue titanium, tsavorite and diamond Papillon ring which Beyoncé chose to donate to the V&A is one of a few designs that G repeats in different combinations of gemstones – most of the pieces are one-offs. It was, Spiro says, one of the first versions he created in a line that has gone on to become “a bit of an icon” for his house.
“I’m beyond proud to see it in the V&A, to tell you the truth,” he says. “I never really thought I’d do my own ‘label’ at all, we were more behind the scenes, making jewellery for other brands. Now suddenly people are starting to recognise that we do something special, and I am delighted.”
N6.3bn fraud: I have diabetes – Jang cries out from detention
Singer, Banky W says he loves the size of Adesua Etomi’s boobs
Police arrest dismissed cop declared wanted for Offa robbery
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0