In a evaluate of the pictures from the Golden Globes purple carpet after the massive award present, I discovered lovely element photographs of Natalie Portman’s left hand. The Jackie actress was carrying a surprising Tiffany ring on her index finger and her elegant engagement ring from husband, choreographer and dancer, Benjamin Millepied. Designed by Jamie Wolf, the jewel has lengthy been on my brief listing of greatest movie star engagement rings. Seeing such lovely pictures of the ring impressed me to present Jamie a name to speak concerning the design and backstory. Following is an excerpt of our dialog.
I am keen on the ring you created for Natalie Portman, however I additionally love how the story of its creation entails your expertise as a ballerina and jewellery designer. Earlier than we discuss concerning the ring, may you inform me about your background?
I used to be a dancer at New York Metropolis Ballet for round ten years, starting after I was 17. Being within the firm concerned a seasonal schedule of intense 12-hour days. When the season ended, there abruptly wasn’t something to do. It was throughout these intervals that I started creating jewellery. At first it was simply wire and bead jewels. I actually bought them out of my dressing room. As I began to hone in on my aesthetic, I sought out relationships with jewelers to fabricate extra elaborate work.
Glenda Bailey from Harper’s Bazaar was an early shopper. She gave me this guide referred to as Tiaras a Historical past of Splendor by Geoffrey C. Munn. It actually narrowed my focus. Just a few of the weather impressed by the publication reminiscent of floral motifs are nonetheless within the assortment at this time.
I continued to bounce for a number of years after the jewellery went into shops, however lastly I noticed I couldn’t do each and made the troublesome determination to retire round 2006 and deal with the jewellery.
Jamie Wolf’s private diamond and pink gold engagement ring and marriage ceremony bands
So that you knew Benjamin Millepied out of your time at New York Metropolis Ballet?
Sure, I’ve recognized Ben since I used to be 17. After I retired, when he was engaged on Black Swan, he requested me to return in and audition for the corporate within the film. I used to be honored to be part of that with him and Natalie.
Engagement rings had been not likely a part of the gathering on the time he requested you to make one for Natalie. How did he know you probably did them?
I had truly carried out a number of engagement rings for dancers on the New York Metropolis Ballet. All of the rings are one-of-a-kind. I design throughout the realm of my romantic aesthetic, however don’t set parameters to shoppers by way of stones or metallic. I need to work with no matter is true for the particular person and make one thing really particular. My engagement ring, for instance, is pink gold with an intertwined band. It represents our lives being intertwined collectively.
What was the method like with Ben?
He was actually particular in probably the most great means. He was very concerned in ensuring that we took each alternative to contemplate what Natalie would need in her engagement ring reminiscent of an vintage diamond middle stone, Kimberley course of licensed battle free smaller stones for the band of the ring and recycled platinum for the metallic.
Discovering the correct vintage diamond middle stone was probably the most time consuming half. It took months. Then lastly, we discovered the proper vintage spherical old-mine minimize diamond.
A view of Natalie Portman’s left hand on the purple carpet on the Golden Globes exhibits the facet element of her engagement ring and marriage ceremony bands by Jamie Wolf Picture by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Photos
The middle stone knowledgeable the design itself. We wished to work with framing that stone as greatest we may and provides it an vintage nuance. The middle diamond is surrounded by a halo of gems. Beneath the setting is all pavé-set gems protecting a female V-like design. The intention was that the undercarriage of the design was one thing specifically for her to see. I’m amazed in the way in which you will get a glimpse of it within the footage from the Golden Globes. The purpose of the element was to present the piece an intimacy within the design. It’s not nearly having affect from a distance.
The marriage bands you made to go together with the engagement ring are wonderful. Generally, I really feel an engagement ring and marriage ceremony band can, truthfully, appear to be a messy stack of rings. You made them so stylish and cohesive.
We wished to border the engagement ring with two marriage ceremony bands that accentuated the great thing about ring. The 2 bands created symmetry and a unified visible that enhanced the general aesthetic. They had been designed to curve away ever so barely from the engagement ring. So when they’re worn collectively they seem as one piece. It seems to be very clear and delicate. We additionally used the identical manufacturing strategies because the engagement ring using recycled platinum and the identical setting course of for the diamonds.
If somebody desires to contact you for an engagement ring how would they go about it? They will contact me via the web site jamiewolf.com
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The Dramatic Jewels Worn By Natalie Portman in ‘Jackie’
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