An adoration of precious gems and flair for impeccable design is at the heart of Alice Herald’s fine jewellery brand. She tells WOMAN about her exquisite new collection and how Aotearoa inspires her.

STORYTELLERS OFTEN use words or moving pictures to tell their tales. For Wānaka-based jewellery designer Alice Herald, she utilises structure and form through artfully designed pieces of luxury adornment.

Her latest collection, Dahlia, is no exception. Inspired by the intricacies of the dahlia flower, renowned for its vibrancy in colour and voluminosity in size, the collection is anchored by the magnificent Dahlia ring. At over 13-carats total gem weight with a 5.87-carat rhodolite garnet at its centre, this heroine piece is simply breathtaking. The 22-piece collection includes stacker rings in yellow and orange or pink and blue sapphires, and diamond-bunch hoop earrings that are designed to capture the dahlia’s petal patterns and rich patterns.

“I see jewels in nature. Nature’s colour, its architecture, and quiet energy have such an influence on my design. A friend gave me a dahlia, and I sat with it whilst deciding how to encapsulate its immense presence and burst of colour. The flower being as it is, deserved the status of an entire couture collection,” says Alice Herald.

WOMAN Magazine were privileged to view Dahlia and pieces from Herald’s other collections up close over a private dinner in Auckland. We saw first-hand that her pieces really are works of art. Each one is inspired by nature with a unique story to tell, and each detail having a compelling raison d’être; a reason for every line, every stone, every aspect, including how the piece will eventually be worn and who will wear it.