Delicate diamond jewels that follow the contours of the skin like an inked-on tattoo are set to be a big jewellery trend in 2016. So for the best Christmas present for the lady in your life, bypass bold statement pieces in favour of barely-there jewellery that fits like a sparkling second skin.
1. La Brune et La Blonde
Pampilles diamond necklace
£1,449
You simply cannot go wrong with a diamond necklace, and this minimalist design from La Brune et La Blonde features three brilliant-cut diamonds suspended from a rose gold bar. Using the French jeweller’s signature Diamant Nu transparent setting means that the diamonds can be seen from every angle, with no claws concealing their sparkle.
2. Selim Mouzannar
C’est dans l’air necklace
£4,300
C’est dans l’air translates to "It’s in the air", and in this yellow gold and diamond necklace by Selim Mouzannar the emphasis is as much on the negative space as the pretty curves of diamond-covered yellow gold. The jewels in this collection have been designed to be light and understated, with a gracefulness and fragility that is reminiscent of the wind rustling through leaves. Lebanese jeweller Selim Mouzannar trained in Paris before returning to Beirut where he designs jewellery that blends references to the city’s old Gold Souk with a modern edge.
3. Shaun Leane
Yellow gold and diamond hook bracelet
£4,950
Following a long-time collaboration with the late Alexander McQueen, Shaun Leane jewellery veers firmly into the avant-garde corner of design. Always pushing creative boundaries, Leane’s traditional goldsmithing training is juxtaposed with the inspiration he draws from street culture and urban life. Here, the addition of a diamond-encrusted hook transforms a delicate bracelet into a daring statement piece.
4. Anita Ko
Floating rose gold and diamond necklace
£4,150 at Net-a-Porter
Thanks to the delicate rose gold chain, a row of 12 graduated diamonds appears to float around the neck in this Anita Ko necklace available at Net-a-Porter. Designed to sit just below the collarbone, it is an extremely versatile piece that works with a variety of necklines. Based in Los Angeles, Anita Ko counts celebrities such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and January Jones among her loyal fans, and is a firm believer that jewellery should be worn rather than left to languish in the safe.
5. Savannah Stranger
Open Element ring in yellow gold with champagne diamonds
$2,540
Sometimes the best Christmas presents come in small packages. With a minimal, contemporary design, the Open Element ring by Californian designer Savannah Stranger has an open shape decorated with champagne diamond pavé. A perfect antidote to the showy knuckle-duster cocktail ring, this diamond ring exudes pure understated elegance.
6. Astley Clarke
Icon Aura bracelet
£750
If you are still in need of Christmas gift ideas, a diamond bracelet is one of the best presents a girl can receive and will add a pretty sparkle all year round. This Astley Clarke bracelet is set with blue diamond pavé in a circular pattern, further accentuated with black rhodium detailing.
7. Christina Debs
Double Tattoo rose gold and diamond ring
$2,900 at Plukka
Add a subtle shimmer to Christmas morning with the aptly named Double Tattoo diamond ring by Paris-based jeweller Christina Debs. Slivers of barely-there diamonds hug the finger both above and below the knuckle, ensuring this ring will become an everyday favourite.
8. Diane Kordas
Heartbeat rose gold and diamond necklace
£1,455 at Net-a-Porter
Keep your finger on the fashion pulse with this diamond necklace by one of our most exciting contemporary jewellery designers, Diane Kordas. In a modern twist on the traditional romantic symbol, it features a diamond-embellished EKG line on a delicate rose gold chain.
9. Messika
Glam’Azone cuff in white gold with diamonds
£9,630 at Harrods
This delicate diamond bracelet by French jewellery brand Messika is inspired by the Amazonian arrow and lance, with a slender line ending in an oval-cut diamond surrounded by other smaller stones. Valérie Messika decided from an early age to follow her father into the diamond trade and launched her own label in 2005. Kendall Jenner, Rihanna and model Doutzen Kroes are all fans of her sleek and elegant barely-there diamond jewellery.
10. Michelle Fantaci
Fan Tassel necklace in yellow gold with diamonds
$2,290
Baguette-cut diamonds add a touch of sparkle to this diamond necklace by New York-based jewellery designer Michelle Fantaci. The perfect lightweight jewel to take you from day to night, it looks effortlessly elegant when worn with a white T-shirt, while a plunging neckline will ramp up the glamour factor.
