Helen Yarmak on why the sheen of Paraiba tourmaline is just what you need to elevate your look in 2022
Russian fashion designer Helen Yarmak loves to design colourful jewellery with flamboyant flourishes, and despite her love of tanzanites, rubellites, emeralds and aquamarines, these days it’s Paraiba tourmalines that have her swooning over sparklers.
Discovered as late as 1980 in the state of Paraiba in Brazil’s northeast corner, these exquisite stones add pomp and grandeur with their syrupy green-blue colour that looks good enough to eat.
Here, Yarmak tells Tatler about her latest luxurious jewellery and why blue stones are coming back in a big way.
Read more: 5 of the Most Breathtaking High Jewellery Collections of 2021
What do you look for in jewellery?
I love big stones, they give me such good energy. My favourite stone is the Paraiba tourmaline because of its rarity and large carat weight. It's such a colourful and mysterious stone.
What do you want to achieve with your jewellery?
Beyond the aesthetic beauty of my creations, their natural stones possess an energy of joy and strength that reflects positively on the individual sporting a Helen Yarmak original.
Describe your jewellery in five words.
Unique, precious, timeless, versatile, perfect.
Why do you create a lot of bespoke, one-of-a-kind pieces?
Every person is unique, and every Helen Yarmak creation is unique as well. Our pieces are collectable, so it's a privilege to have clients own pieces that are made just for them.
What inspires you?
Life and love.
What's your go-to styling advice?
Timelessness and versatility are essential to achieving true elegance, whether you're wearing pyjamas or dressing up for a black-tie event.
What's been your proudest moment?
Exhibiting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and being awarded 'Jewellery Designer of the Year'.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don't ever compromise on quality.
How does your Russian heritage impact your designs?
Russia has an important cultural and artistic history, which has informed and influenced my appreciation of design and beauty.
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