Clara Chehab’s Gaia Gives Good Energy

By Brittany Siminitz | April 21, 2023

Once a niche market, healing crystals have exploded in the mainstream as the modern culture of wellness has grown to appeal to a wider audience.

While some people buy crystals to stash under their pillow, in their pockets, or on shelves, jewelers have taken to working with them as central to their designs, a way of prettifying these objects admired for the power they’re perceived to exude. Crystals are raw gemstones, and what better place for gemstones than jewelry?

Gaia, the debut collection from Beirut-based designer Clara Chehab, juxtaposes the rugged exteriors of raw gemstones with the polish of fine jewelry. The pieces are organic yet polished, cool yet chic.

Clara Chehab aquamarine bracelet — *Bracelet in 18k white gold with aquamarine, 0.5 ct. t.w. sapphire, and 0.43 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request*

Clara Chehab aquamarine Bombee ring — *Bombee ring in 18k pink gold with aquamarine, 4.49 cts. t.w. sapphires, and 0.49 ct. t.w. diamonds, $5,173*

Clara Chehab aquamarine earrings — *Dangling moon earrings in 18k pink gold with aquamarine, 1.2 cts. t.w. sapphires, and 0.44 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request*

Tourmaline is at the center of many Gaia pieces, in both raw and tumbled form, with supporting roles played by such gemstones as topaz, quartz, and sapphire, to beautifully colorful results.

Clara Chehab green pink tourmaline ring — *Ring in 18k pink gold with green tourmaline, 0.76 ct. pink tourmaline, and 0.21 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request*

Clara Chehab Imperial topaz drop earrings — *Dangling earrings in 18k yellow gold with imperial topaz, tumbled tourmaline, and 0.28 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request*

Clara Chehab pink tourmaline necklace — *Moon long necklace in 18k pink gold with rough tourmaline, rough amethyst, 0.9 ct. t.w. sapphires, and 0.7 ct. t.w. diamonds, $8,375*

Clara Chehab single imperial topaz earring — *Single long earring in 18k pink gold with imperial topaz, 3 cts. t.w. orange sapphires, and 0.46 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,066*

Clara Chehab pink tourmaline ring — *Cocktail ring in 18k pink gold with rough pink tourmaline, 1.1 cts. t.w. sapphire, 0.19 ct. t.w. diamonds, and apatite, $3,119*

“I am very attracted to tourmaline, aquamarine, and emerald,” says Chehab. “You will find a lot of tourmaline stones in my first collection. A painterly gem owing to its unusual chromatic range, tourmaline comes in all the colors of a rainbow, plus black and colorless hues. Some types can even embody two or three distinct zones of color—all in the same piece of rough material. Tourmaline also conveys different meanings and symbolism in different cultures. For some, it is the stone of self-love and compassion, while others believe that it can heal and protect the wearer.”