Look Book

24 www.thejewelrybook.com Lika Behar's love of Mediterranean-infl uenced jewelry design and her family's roots in Turkey paved the way for her epony- mous design fi rm. Behar dabbled in the banking and children's clothing design industries before rekin- dling her interest in jewelry, ultimately building a brand based on modern interpretations of ancient Greek and Roman jewelry. Pieces are made in karat gold and sterling silver in Istanbul by master crafts- men and often feature statement-making pearls and gemstones in the blue and green family; opals, turquoise, and lapis are favorites, reminding her of the waters of the Mediterranean. "I am happiest at sea," she says, with her recent summer vacation to Turkey in mind. "And there's nothing like the fl ash of an Australian blue opal to remind you of it on a sunny day." Art of the Hellenistic age is ripe for admiration on holiday and in current collections. Behar utilizes granulation in her designs but with cleaner lines than the rough-hewn models in museums. Look to her Mod and Delphi series for über collectible jewels. "I won't show laurel leaves, but there are granulation elements in my pieces," she explains. "My jewelry isn't so ornamental that it clashes with other pieces. It meshes well with what you already own." More proprietary infl uences can be found in Behar's Peach Glow gold, a 22k gold alloy that nods to the popularity of pink gold but in an understated, non-orangey way. Favorite gems to set into the look include turquoise, pink pearls, and champagne- or cognac-color diamonds, all of which let the gold color stand out. Also notable: her use of high-quality turquoise and moonstone in bohemi- an-chic styles that elevate their common-stone status. Still, one-of-a-kind stones and their inherent asymmetry are becoming more prevalent in the collection. Think opals, aquaprase, rugged chunks of aquamarine, and more—stones with interest and character that sometimes won't be drilled or prong set. Bezels and even cages can put the beauty of the rocks on a pedestal or protect it. "You will see a lot more cages—my version—in designs in 2020," reveals Behar. "I want collectors to be able to see the gems on all sides." Contemporary Turkish Design men and often feature statement-making pearls and gemstones in the blue and green family; opals, turquoise, and lapis are favorites, reminding her of "I am happiest at sea," she says, with her recent summer vacation to Turkey in mind. "And there's nothing like the fl ash of an Australian blue opal to Art of the Hellenistic age is ripe for admiration on holiday and in current collections. Behar utilizes granulation in her designs but with cleaner lines than the rough-hewn models in museums. Look to her Mod and Delphi "I won't show laurel leaves, but there are granulation elements in my pieces," she explains. "My jewelry isn't so ornamental that it clashes with other pieces. It meshes well with what you already own." More proprietary infl uences can be found in Behar's Peach Glow gold, a 22k gold alloy that nods to the popularity of pink gold but in an understated, non-orangey way. Favorite gems to set into the look include Also notable: her use of high-quality turquoise and moonstone in bohemi-

• Cover