The 10 most extraordinary art creations of the year 2024
At Paloma Sanchez, The Art of Jewelry, we are continually inspired by the unparalleled artistry of nature, where each mineral and gemstone carries the legacy of Earth's ancient past and enduring elegance.
Over the past year, we have had the privilege of crafting a series of extraordinary pieces, each one a testament to nature's timeless beauty and our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship.
Among the year’s most remarkable discoveries of the rare minerals was the unveiling of shimmering drusy quartz encased in petrified wood, formed over millions of years. In California, we looked for rare crystallized gold specimens, each with its unique texture and structure. The intricate structure of the faden quartz echoes the melting glaciers in Antarctica, serving as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet...
As we reflect on this remarkable year, we are honored to present the 10 most extraordinary art creations of 2024, where rare minerals and gemstones as well as genius gem-cutting redefine imagination, a collection carefully selected by our CEO and exceptional artist, Ms. Paloma Sanchez. These pieces represent the harmonious convergence of art and nature, and we invite you to explore their excellent beauty and timeless elegance.
Necklace. Blue topaz crystal from Brazil, pollucite specimen from Afghanistan, 18kt yellow gold.
Among thousands of rough topaz crystals, we found the most special one. When the mother stone from the back of the topaz was removed, the shape of a mountain appeared, making it stand out among other topazes.
Pollucite is one of the rarest minerals in the planet, possessing excellent metal value and being the important independant mineral for cesium extraction. Perfectly shaped pollucite crystals are extremely rare. This pollucite specimen from Afghanistan is in excellent condition, qualifying it as a museum piece.
The “mountain” on the back the blue topaz and the crystal-clear white color of the pollucite are reminiscent of the permanent snow on Mount Everest, with the pollucite naturally embracing the blue topaz. Ms. Paloma adorned the piece with a crescent moon in gold in the middle of the blue night sky, endowing the creation with more poetic charm. This piece has therefore been named “Everest”.
Earrings/Necklace. Faden quartz specimen (collector’s piece) from Pakistan, 18kt gold enhancements, 18kt gold pins.
Faden quartz is a specific variety of quartz formed through a rare geological process that forms when a crystal repeatedly cracks and heals during its growth, resulting in a visible "thread" of inclusions, often composed of liquid or gas-filled voids. This unique characteristic sets faden quartz apart from other varieties of quartz and makes it a sought-after specimen in the world of mineralogy.
Due to the nature of their required environment, they are found in very few locations, primarily in regions with tectonic activity. These museum-quality specimens are from Pakistan, one of the most renowned sources of faden quartz, known for its abundance of high-quality mineral specimens.
Ms. Paloma has selected two distinct yet complementary stitched crystals, preserving their natural form entirely, adorned with gold that elegantly frames the contours of the crystals, adding a warm golden hue to the gemstones. The unique metallic sheen of the gold contrasts beautifully with the translucent clarity of the crystals, creating a harmonious interplay. This piece is part of the Tears of Antarctica collection, a tribute to the artist's contemplation of climate change — Reminiscent of glacier fractures, the crystals are adorned with teardrop-shaped gold accents, evoking the image of melting snow. Additionally, this piece features a multifunctional design, serving as both earrings and a pendant. It can be paired with a necklace or choker, offering versatile styling options and enhancing the wearer’s choices.
In 2025, we will showcase the Tears of Antarctica collection at the Florence Biennale, presenting our artistic jewelry to the international audience.
Necklace. Spanish sphalerite (200ct, collector’s piece), round brilliant cut and pear shape diamonds, set in 18kt yellow gold.
Sphalerite, with origins limited to Spain and China, may not rival the fame of the "big four", but its unique charm and rarity make it highly sought after by gemologists and collectors alike.Sphalerite gemstones are usually small and often contain inclusions that significantly impact their clarity and color, making large, high-quality sphalerite stones very rare due to the mineral's tendency to form with internal flaws and color zoning. This remarkable 200-carat sphalerite crystal, with vivid color, exceptional clarity and dazzling brilliance on every facet, is a rare exception, marking it as a truly extraordinary gem of unparalleled quality.
The striking color of this sphalerite reminded Ms. Paloma of the mesmerizing sunsets over the beaches of Granada, Spain, inspiring her to create this masterpiece — the gem is surrounded with 18kt gold in the shape of a solar halo, and adorned with round brilliant-cut diamonds, each sparkling with a sunlight-like brilliance, adding a sense of natural charm to the piece and transforming it into a poetic work of art.
Necklace. Hematite from France, Australian pearl (9.5mm), round brilliant diamonds (total weight 0.33ct), 925 silver 18kt white gold plated.
This extraordinary piece, named “Universe”, captures the mystery and grandeur of the cosmos through its unique design and materials.
The rough hematite, with its deep tone, symbolizes the unexplored planets within the universe. At its center, a luminous pearl stands in stark contrast to the hematite's darkness, its pure white hue reflecting the delicate balance of light and shadow in the cosmos.
Scattered across the piece are round brilliant-cut diamonds, sparkling like stars in the night sky. Their eternal brilliance and resilience mirror the ancient, boundless nature of the universe, while also infusing the necklace with a touch of luxury. The multi-layered design, inspired by the orbits of stars and the spiral arms of galaxies, brings dynamism and motion to the creation.
This piece of jewelry seems to embody another planet, sparking endless imagination about the mysteries of the universe.
A/B Earrings. Drusy pocket petrified wood, 1 round brilliant cut diamond (0.25ct) and 9 round brilliant cut diamonds (total weight 0.056ct), 18kt yellow gold.
Petrified wood, is the name given to a special type of fossilized wood, which takes millions of years and requires very fortunate circumstances to form. Petrifaction is the result of a tree or tree-like plants having been replaced by stone. Sometimes, a rare phenomenon occurs in which quartz crystals form inside the wood cavities, giving the specimen an unusual sparkling beauty. Petrified wood with drusy quartz is extremely rare, and only a small proportion can be cut and polished.
This creation is named “Celosía”, which outlines a lattice window pattern on the petrified wood with 18kt gold. The design evokes an ancient Spanish tale: a couple in love speaks of their affection and longing through a window. They cannot see each other, and the boy can only imagine the girl’s beauty. In much the same way, we perceive, interpret, and admire jewelry—guided by curiosity and the allure of the unknown.
These A/B earrings can represent different individuals or distinctive aspects of a person's character, reflecting the designer's profound understanding of the complexity of humanity.
Ring. Faceted pearl (9.2mm), 18kt white gold "Texture" ring.
Faceted pearls are pearls cut using diamond-cutting techniques. The hundreds of facets give pearls a new shine and texture, and an outstanding diamond-like glow. However, the pearl’s luster cannot be changed after faceting and spots also cannot be removed. Therefore, only the good-quality ones with smooth surface and great lustre that shows it will have enough layers of nacre for faceting can be chosen.
The ring band comes from the brand's renowned Texture Collection, evoking a sense of roughness, on top of which sits the faceted pearl. The striking contrast created by the refinement of the pearl and the aesthetic of the metal, resulting in a sensually appealing design.
During the product shoot, we accidentally discovered a new perspective we had never tried before, capturing an image that the whole team instantly fell in love with.
Ring. Carved Tahitian pearl (13mm) with American turquoise nucleus, round brilliant cut diamonds (total 0.21ct), 18kt black gold.
This piece is centered on a Tahitian pearl with an American turquoise nucleus. Only the best pearls are selected and then masterly carved to discover the precious turquoise nucleus. The result is a masterpiece of color, design and craftsmanship.
We have set the pearl on a geometrical 18kt black gold ring with diamonds, creating an elegant contrast between the soft spherical shape of the pearl and the straight lines of the gold. The sobriety of the intense black gold is broken by the brightness of the diamonds.
Brooch/Necklace. Australian natural crystallized gold specimen, round brilliant cut diamond (0.05ct), round brilliant cut diamonds (total 0.2ct) pavé, 18kt yellow gold.
Crystallized gold refers to gold specimens that are typically adorned with quartz and other minerals. Beyond their scarcity, their distinguishing feature lies in their vibrant color and crystallized shape, setting them apart from other forms of natural gold. This uniqueness has garnered high regard from investors and gemstone collectors worldwide.
Named Golden Age, this design features a collector’s quality crystallized gold specimen from Australia. In order to complement the natural beauty of this precious specimen, Ms. Paloma created a symmetrical design with 18kt gold and diamond, a “mirror effect” counterpart. The harmony between the diamonds’ brilliance and the luster of the gold creates a truly captivating effect.
As a versatile piece of jewelry, it can be worn as either a pendant or a brooch, offering flexibility to suit various occasions and outfits.
Necklace. Magnetite jade with 22kt gold infused, set in 18kt yellow gold, with 18kt yellow gold adjustable chain.
Magnetite jade is a rare stone mined only in Victorville, California and was mined out in the 60's. This jade is a very dark green or black in color with magnetite inclusions.
We infused 22kt gold into the gemstone. The striking contrast between black and gold evokes the charm of traditional Chinese ink painting, creating an artistic contrast. This design embodies high aesthetic value.
Ring. Aquamarine crystal from Brazil (0.94g/4.70ct), rough morganite from Brazil (0.9g/4.50ct) set in 18kt yellow gold ring. Custom made.
This ring was specially customized for our studio manager, Veronica, as her wedding ring. A double-stone creation, it mirrors the harmony of her relationship — where the serene elegance of blue meets the warm romance of pink. Therefore, she chose a rough pink morganite and a rough blue aquamarine as the main stones.
Morganite and aquamarine both belong to the beryl family, but they display distinctive colors due to the different trace elements. Veronica believes that each rough stone tells its own story and is as one-of-a-kind as the love it symbolizes, because the natural formation of each gem is unique, and rough stones preserve the truest form and unshaped natural beauty of the gem.
The stones sit close, as if two hearts, side by side, offering quiet support. If there are lovers, love will find a way to come together.