Most people can relate to the concept of forward movement—finding the strength to overcome challenges and make progress along the way. Onirikka, the Boca Raton, Fla.–based brand with a flair for very wearable jewelry, has designed a collection around the concept, naming it Avanti, Italian for forward.
Jewelry lovers everywhere can get on board with this delightful ensemble of 14k yellow gold and diamonds. Some Avanti pieces also have emeralds or sapphires (or both). Charms dangle like confetti, brushed gold juxtaposes with polished, and overall the line makes for wonderfully collectible and wearable jewels.
Below, Onirikka founder and designer Gloria Battle answers a few questions for JCK about Avanti, which made its debut at this spring’s Couture show in Las Vegas.
Petite Voyage bracelet in 14k yellow gold with 0.19 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,450
Notch stud earrings in 14k yellow gold, $720
I love the brushed gold detail and the shaker-style charms on some of the Avanti jewels. Can you share your design process for them?
I wanted to capture a soft and feminine feel to the finish of the pieces, so the satin finish just felt essential. As to the shaker-style charms, I like movement and flow—I think it is very important in my life and wanted to include it somehow in the designs.
Grand Caviar ring in 14k yellow gold with 1.41 cts. t.w. diamonds, $7,852
Which of these pieces did you design first, and how did it spark inspiration for the rest of the collection?
I usually design very sporadically, and then connect the missing links in between. But I think it started simultaneously with the La Luz bracelet, the Double Decker ring, and Grand Caviar medallion. I was obsessed with the shapes and wear of them. Once I saw and wore the pieces, I fell in love, and all of the other pieces organically came together through lots of time, dedication, and attention to detail.
How do the designs reflect the idea of forward movement?
The collection’s theme is represented through all of the pieces by their motifs, which have the essence of “moving forward.” The Grand Caviar ring, for example, has a continuation of stones from the top of the ring to the base and into freely cascading onto the wearer’s finger. The dangles on the Hemline medallions are full of color, life, and movement.
Floret toggle bracelet in 14k yellow gold with 0.28 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,800
Surfrider stud earrings in 14k yellow gold with 0.07 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,610
What makes this collection distinct from your previous work—did you experiment with any new materials or jewelry design techniques?
Yes, I did. This is my first full collection in 14k gold—all of my other collections are 18k. I really like the fun variety of chains that I offer in this collection as well.
Synergy ring in 14k yellow gold with 0.41 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,410
How do you hope people feel when wearing Avanti?
We want the wearer to embrace and live life elegantly and confidently. We want our customers to wear different pieces of the collection layered with one another, in different contexts throughout their life: in a more casual way, a more elegant way, and for evening wear. We have pieces that go from casual everyday luxury to more of an elegant evening.
Florette earrings in 14k yellow gold with 0.47 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,500
What’s on the horizon for Onirikka?
There are lots of fun new development pieces coming soon that we are working really hard to perfect!
Top: Necklaces from Onirikka’s Avanti collection, all in 14k yellow gold with diamonds: (from top) La Luz, $3,950; Petite multi Floret necklace with sapphires and emeralds, price on request; Petite Single Floret, $2,550; Round Hemline medallion with sapphires, $6,250; Heart Hemline medallion with emeralds, $5,950; Grand Caviar medallion with emeralds, $9,850
