Considering Vicente Agor lives by the sea in San Francisco, it’s not too surprising that his newest collection is inspired by it. Called Swell, the jewelry features a variety of blue and green gems—think chrysoprase and blue topaz, among others—but my favorite styles are made in black and gold color combinations.
No wonder I’m coveting Agor’s selects: Black and gold is perennially hip, a staple in lines like Dolce & Gabbana, and practically a uniform for Manhattan market editors. But instead of the fashionable reasons cited above, Agor chose to make these as an homage to the abyss. “The Swell collection is inspired by the mysteries at the bottom of the ocean,” he explained in an email interview. “It is perhaps, one of the last places on Earth that have yet to be explored in depth.”
That may be, but Agor’s rutilated quartz pieces have me thinking about pairing them with black leather leggings, a gold embroidered T-shirt, and metallic nail polish. A long black spinel and gold necklace, however, evokes a more poetic picture in my mind: a secluded pool on an Indian summer night that’s poised to permit one last swim before the air chills, with diamond “stars” dotting the nightfall. With that pendant around my neck, the summer will carry on in my memory well after the white stuff has touched down outside. Consider it sold, Vicente.
Courtesy Vicente Agor
One-of-a-kind Diving Bell pendant necklace in 18k yellow gold with 24 cts. t.w. rutilated quartz and 0.025 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,940
Courtesy Vicente Agor
One-of-a-kind Okeanos in 18k gold with 18 cts. t.w. rutilated quartz and 0.31 ct. t.w. black diamonds, $2,455
Courtesy Vicente Agor
One-of-a-kind Continental Slope pendant necklace in 18k yellow gold with 37 cts. t.w. black spinel and 0.68 ct. t.w. diamonds, $7,480
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