Greenwich Jewelers

Turkish jewelry designer Lika Behar is in our store today with her entire collection of handcrafted jewelry, featuring gem candy rings, pure 24k yellow gold, and brilliant diamonds decorating oxidized sterling silver.  We took some time to talk with the designer about her historic inspirations, and what draws her to create these fantastic jewels.

 

BLUES

From sky blue topaz to deep blue sapphire and everything in between, Lika Behar loves using the color blue, because it reminds her of the sea.  The ocean, and everything associated with it, is one of Lika’s greatest sources of inspiration, and she expresses this in her use of brilliant blue gemstones.

From sky blue topaz to deep blue sapphire and everything in between, Lika Behar loves using the color blue, because it reminds her of the sea.  The ocean, and everything associated with it, is one of Lika’s greatest sources of inspiration, and she expresses this in her use of brilliant blue gemstones.

ISTANBUL & HISTORY

Each Lika Behar jewel is handcrafted using ancient techniques.  Inspired by Istanbul, the city she grew up in, Lika adapted techniques of ancient Samaritans.  One 5,000 year old technique is called gold granulation, and refers to using 24k yellow gold beads to adorn and decorate jewelry.

HAMSA & EVIL EYE

In the Middle East, the “Hamsa” is a symbol of luck and prosperity, while the “Evil Eye” wards off bad spirits.  Lika crafts these symbols from gold and adorns them with brilliant blue sapphires and micropave diamonds.

AMPHORA

An amphora is a ceremonial vase, usually crafted from ceramics, used in ancient Mediterranean and Roman empires.  These vases were decorated with carvings, paintings, and other adornments.  Inspired by this ancient art, Lika uses the feminine shape of the amphora in some of her jewels.

For more symbollic, gem-encrusted jewelry, click here to visit our Lika Behar collection.