Discover the Value of your Jewels

Tag: design

Toni Cavelti

Modern Classic

Toni Cavelti is a creative artist, craftsman, and jeweller based in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Canada’s beautiful West coast. He has retired from jewellery, but continues to be a creative artist. He has said that he feels jewellery is more craft than art. However, the jewels we see from the Cavelti workshop are easy to see as art.

1960s-1970s architecturally inspired brooch

Apprenticed in Switzerland, in 1954, a young Toni Cavelti arrived in his chosen new home of Vancouver, British Columbia. He found work in the jewellery business, and his designs and style promptly became an important part of Vancouver style and society.

In the 1960s and 1970s, nature and geometry combined in vibrant designs that are both bold and joyful. The combination of space and reflection, texture and polish creates highlights and depth of form.

1960s-1970s: A classic opal and diamond brooch, featured in the Max Wyman book Toni Cavelti, A Jeweller’s Life, and offered in the Important Jewels Auction, November 2020

Light and dark form a regular part of Cavelti’s style. The textures provide depth and highlights that capture the viewer’s imagination.

Diamond earrings exploring form and texture

Fine Gems

Cavelti’s work is widely recognized as innovative, carefully considered, and expertly made. Cavelti jewels have a balance and form that is immediately appealing to the eye. They are comfortable to wear, and make a joyful statement.

Vivid rubies forming a joyful heart pendant

Owners of Cavelti jewels recall the strong relationships developed with the jeweller. They often recall the design process, and many have his original artwork framed on their walls. Many jewels were created specifically for clients.

Experiments in light and reflection, highlighted with diamonds, creates a fascinating, rich texture

Gems used in Cavelti jewels are very fine. Colours are exquisite, carefully chosen, and perfectly matched. Rubies are as red as flames, emeralds are green as grass. Clarity is strikingly good. Cut is fine. Clearly Cavelti was not prepared to cut corners, and we are all the beneficiaries of his focus on quality.

Brilliant red rubies and fine diamonds. Cavelti chose gems very carefully

Published Source: Max Wyman: Toni Cavelti, A Jeweller’s Life

In 1996, Max Wyman wrote a book, Toni Cavelti, A Jeweller’s Life, a biography of Cavelti. The book documents the progress of the artist from his early years in Switzerland to becoming an icon of the jewellery world. Nine of the Jewels featured in the book are highlights of the Dupuis Important Jewels Auction in November 2020.

Featured in the Max Wyman book, Toni Cavelti, A Jeweller’s Life: “One of the most important stones to be handled in the Cavelti workshops…”. This 5.29 carat ruby pendant is offered in November 2020.

Toni Cavelti embraced modern forms and modern materials. In 1967, a new gem was found in Tanzania. Named after its source, Tanzanite quickly became a prominent and highly desired gem. Competing with fine sapphires for beauty, tanzanite can be a rich and vibrant gem. It is only to be expected that Cavelti would choose the finest examples. In the Important Jewels Auction, November 2020, a pair of earrings, a bracelet and a pendant feature exquisite tanzanites. These jewels are also featured in the Max Wyman book.

Very fine tanzanite, weighing approximately 19.40 carats, in an expertly crafted pendant. Featured in the Max Wyman Toni Cavelti book, and offered in the Important Jewels Auction November 2020

Diamonds are a mainstay in the world of jewels. Toni Cavelti chose his diamonds with great care. There is a fine suite of diamond jewels in featured in Toni Cavelti, A Jeweller’s Life. This suite is a highlight of the November 2020 auction.

A diamond brooch and necklace, offered in the November 2020 auction. There are matching earrings, and ring also offered in the auction. All are all also featured in Toni Cavelti, A Jeweller’s Life.

Cavelti jewels are often offered in Dupuis Auctions, and we are always proud to feature them. It a rare and special opportunity to include this very important collection of Cavelti Jewels in a single auction.

Nature in Jewels

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A Diamond and White Gold Floral Brooch: Lot 352 in the Dupuis Fall Auction

The work of the goldsmith and jewellery artist constantly reveals influences of nature in jewels. Faberge’s eggs, made to commemorate birth, life and reconciliation are an obvious example. The sprays of flowers that were so popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s, bringing the garden indoors, add sparkle and glitter to any occasion.

Organic Gems

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Five Coral and 10K gold jewels: Lot 507 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 auction

We regularly see genuine pieces of nature in jewels, too. We refer to these as “organic gems” and they are actually the product of nature, used as jewels or as gems in jewellery.

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South Sea Cultured Pearl and 18K gold Necklace: Lot 542 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

Pearls are probably the first gem ever collected: Smooth, shiny things that came right out of an oyster, ready to wear.

Amber is fossilized resin from pre-historic trees. It’s been collected around the shores of the Baltic Sea for centuries. It is at its most interesting, and far more valuable when there are other elements of nature in jewels of amber; insects or plant material, or even small lizards. These inclusions aren’t found in other gems, and make amber quite unique.

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Coral (red coral and black coral), Diamond, Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Brooch: Lot 450 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

Coral is a beautiful jewel of nature, most popularly in red, orange and pink colours. Coral provides an excellent accent to jewellery and also stands on its own very well as beads or carved gems.

Fauna

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A Gold Snake Bangle Bracelet: Lot 267 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

There are also many realistic or fantastic representations of nature in jewels, a favourite at auction is animal shapes, either domestic or wild animals, or mythological creatures. The Cartier Panther, a Van Cleef & Arpels lion, dolphins, or the articulated fish on grandmother’s charm bracelet. These are all animal forms found regularly in jewellery. Dragons, gryphons, and unicorns are among the fantastic creatures seen in jewellery.

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14K Gold Cat Brooch: Lot 460 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

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Gem Set and 18K gold Dog Brooch: Lot 459 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

Cats are often seen in jewellery, from domestic large-eyed kittens to dangerous lions, they cover the range from cute to daunting. “Man’s best friend”, the dog, is represented in jewels regularly, whether a charm of our favourite pug or a hunting dog represented carved in intaglio in an Essex crystal. Of course, we also see real dogs wearing jewels sometimes. Which self respecting lap dog would turn down the offer of a diamond collar?

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A Diamond and Gold Bird Brooch (by Van Cleef & Arpels): Lot 29 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

Birds are very common representations of nature in jewels. Perhaps symbolizing freedom, or simply because some of the most beautiful and elegant creatures on the earth are birds, winged creatures are often seen flying through the air below our ears, or as pendants on a chain, or as brooches.

Flora

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Gold Oak Leaf Cuff Bracelet, by Buccellati: Lot 28 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

Branches and leaves embrace our wrists, fingers, or collars regularly. Tendrils, vines, bunches of grapes are common themes, bringing elements of plants in nature to our wardrobe of accessories.

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Diamond and 14K White Gold Pendant/Brooch: Lot 543 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction

Often the elements of nature in jewels are more subtle, and are only representations that leave an impression of nature without a direct reference to a plant or animal. These inspirations are probably the most common, and are among the most inspired designs around.

Nature is all around us, so it isn’t surprising that jewellers find themselves being influenced by the beauty of it all.

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A Diamond, Pink and Yellow Sapphire Floral Brooch: Lot 335 in the Dupuis Fall 2014 Auction