New collection showcases unique lost Brazilian gems of Haroldo Burle Marx

Kim Poor Jewellery is launching a new collection which has been created around stones from the legendary – and fellow Brazilian - lapidary Haroldo Burle Marx. The H Burle Marx collection celebrates the beauty of these stones in a series of unique jewellery masterpieces which have been conceived as miniature sculptures and true works of art.

Haroldo Burle Marx was a hugely well-respected gemologist, celebrated for the unique cut of his stones. This collection is known to be the very last of his gems, discovered years after his death in a box under his bed by his grand-daughter and passed to Kim Poor to honour Burle Marx’s memory.

Pieces include the 'Bite’ necklace (pictured), a dramatic mega Burle Marx aquamarine, encircled with 18ct gold crocodiles and smoked tourmalines and strung on faceted aquamarines, which contrasts with the softer ‘Ice Cream’ ring.

Vivienne Becker previewed the range in the Financial Times -

Gem carving, so sculptural in form and technique, seems to appeal to jewellers with a strong connection to fine art. Brazilian artist-turned-jewellery-designer Kim Poor has launched a collection set with gemstones carved in organic, abstract forms in the 1960s by Brazilian lapidary Haroldo Burle Marx, brother of the famous landscape artist Roberto, who created the wave-like Rio Promenade. Poor, an admirer of the talented brothers, acquired an entire collection of gems hand-carved by Haroldo using his unique free-form lapidary technique. Like glossy coloured beach pebbles, the curvaceous and sensual gems are set by Poor into huge hammered gold rings, multistrand bracelets or pendants.

“I use carved gems for texture as I use glass in my paintings,” she explains. “I paint with stones, and the sculpted stones add texture to my work. I consider each individual piece a small work of wearable art.”

Pieces will be available online and in-store from 8th June.