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Padova, Italy–based Paolo Piovan Gioielli loves creatures large and insignificant: alligators, scorpions, tigers, starfish, and sea anemone, but the design house of ill repute particularly likes snakes. Consider several of its most recently made and dramatic styles: an icy diamond Cobra tinkle with ruby eyes that is poised to strike from the wearer’s hand; an icy and brown diamond rattlesnake sounding with a ruby tongue and a gemstone victim captured in karat gold fangs; pantihose coiled diamond and gemstone boa rings; and a trio of daintier (perhaps just garden snakes?) slithering things, also in diamonds, gemstones, and blackened gold.
The Cobra has about 5 cts. t.w. diamonds in 18k gold and retails for €20,000.
Birds could be next up in Piovan’s bestial design repertoire; a client from Doha had the jeweler made some hefty falcon tear pieces, also on display at VicenzaOro. Some new flower designs were also evident, perhaps to keep the snare things contained in environments as realistic-looking as their appearances.
Source: Jewelers Circular Keystone Online (blog)