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I always think it’s worth investing in timeless homeware when you can – pieces that you can use and admire for decades to come, without any risk of them dating. And it’s an approach I want to start applying to my jewellery, too. After all, who wants to spend a lot of money on something so precious, only for it to fall out of fashion within a few years?
For inspiration, I’ve turned to iconic Danish company Georg Jensen, whose history stretches back more than 100 years. I’ve long been a fan of its tableware and home accessories (and even got to see behind the scenes at its Copenhagen HQ on a press trip last year), and now I’m having fun discovering its jewellery collections.
One of the most iconic and versatile is ‘Fusion’, which encompasses pieces in white, yellow and rose gold. They can be mixed and matched in endless ways, allowing you to create an individual look tailored to your style, your outfit and the occasion.
The collection was created by Nina Koppel, daughter of the renowned Henning Koppel (the man behind iconic Georg Jensen pieces such as the ‘HK’ pitcher). She studied textile design at Kunsthåndværkerskolen – Denmark’s School of Arts and Crafts – and established her own workshop after graduating in 1966. Her collaboration with Georg Jensen began in the 1980s, and in 1987 she designed what would go on to become the ‘Fusion’ ring. Something of a departure in modern jewellery, it featured a flowing wave motif and was formed from interlocking bands which could be stacked in any combination to produce as delicate or as bold a look as desired.
The ring was eventually launched in 2000, a decade after Koppel’s death in 1990, and marked Georg Jensen’s first gold jewellery design. It soon became very popular and was joined by other pieces, some featuring pavé stones in a range of colours. And now, in preparation for its 20th anniversary next year, the ‘Fusion’ range has been updated to incorporate bangles, earrings and pendants alongside a choice of rings.
“We wanted to celebrate Nina Koppel’s visionary concept by experimenting with it a little and watching it grow,” explains Nicholas Manville, Georg Jensen’s chief creative officer. “The original ring has a strong form and bold presence, partly because it was engineered as a locking system. We didn’t want to compromise on its confidence, so we did two very Georg Jensen things – we focused on purity of line and let the light in.”
The result is a fresh, contemporary take on Koppel’s design. All the pieces have the same fluid lines as the original ring, but the overall expression is lighter. Some of the items fit together like jigsaw puzzles; others make use of negative space and feature open waves that almost – but not quite – touch.
I was instantly smitten with the look of the collection – it’s elegant yet minimalist, and it suits my personal style perfectly. But what appeals to me most is the way the pieces can be dressed up or down – they work just as well with everyday jeans and knitwear as they do with smarter evening attire. I also like the way you can mix different metals, or stick to a single colour. In some of these images, for example, I’ve styled white-gold pieces on their own; in others, I’ve paired a yellow- and white-gold pavé pendant with a white-gold bangle and yellow-gold earrings.
This isn’t cheap costume jewellery; it’s fine, luxurious design that can be treasured for years and even passed down through the generations. I love the idea of starting with just one or two pieces and adding to them over time – perhaps with a new item to mark anniversaries, landmark birthdays or the arrival of children. Food for thought if you want to treat yourself to something truly timeless, or if you have a special occasion coming up and want to start dropping some hints…
The full ‘Fusion’ collection is available online and in Georg Jensen stores worldwide. Rings start at £695, earrings at £895, pendants at £1,175 and bangles at £5,300.
All photography by Abi Dare
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