I met Bia Tambelli at VicenzaOro, but I loved her and her gorgeous, edgy jewels so much that I decided they had to have their very own blog post.
Bia Tambelli is a young brand – they only launched in 2017 – but this visionary Brazilian designer is sure to make waves. Her cases at VicenzaOro stopped me in my tracks, and I do mean that literally: I was walking and then I stopped without meaning to because I needed to stare at the wonders that were before me.
I usually try to introduce myself in a coherent way at trade shows, but I’m pretty sure that at Bia Tambelli I just stood in front of the case and yelled “WHAT IS THAT?!?!” while pointing at this bracelet. I was overcome with awe and the desire to touch.
Even when I’m just looking at a picture I took of myself holding this bracelet, it still rocks my world. The drama, the negative space, the geometry! It’s all so creative and so gorgeously realized.
This bracelet is from Bia Tambelli’s Trinity collection (thus the triangles). It’s yellow gold with black rhodium plated details, rock crystal pyramids, diamonds, and citrine. The citrine is at the tops of the pyramids: it’s just so seamlessly integrated it’s hard to tell at first glance.
The rock crystal pyramids are hollow – gold frameworks inset with sheets of rock crystal to create the pyramid effect without making the piece unwieldy. The craftsmanship is staggering. Keep an eye on my Instagram, I’ll post a video.
Here’s a closer look at the Trinity collection statement ring! A rock crystal pyramid with citrine corners inside an open pyramid with diamond corners. So bold and so gorgeous.
Let’s address the obvious: these pieces look like they might be awkward to wear. That’s where craftsmanship comes in – they’re so well made that they’re perfectly comfortable, despite the fact that they look like they’d be useful in a fight. The bracelet is contoured so that it stays put on your wrist with the pyramids facing up and it really does stay put. The interior and sides of the giant trinity ring are crafted with comfort in mind, too.
They’re the major statement pieces of the collection, so if you love their look but don’t to strap on wrist spikes, you can turn to the other designs in the line for a more everyday interpretation of the same aesthetic. Personally, I’d go for the crazy bold statement pieces: because why not?
This is a smaller but just as swoonworthy Bia Tambelli piece. Called the “Self” ring, it’s also from the Trinity collection and it’s made from diamonds and carefully curved rock crystal.
This is one of those pieces that seems simple until you start thinking about how hard it must have been to curve that rock crystal and set those diamonds so precisely on its edge. It looks really cool alone, but I also loved putting it on top of my wedding stack like a crown.
Here’s another gorgeous and extremely wearable look from one of Bia Tambelli’s other lines, the Portal collection. The portal collection is dedicated to inner knowledge, introspection, and spiritual growth. They look like they’re floating, but they’re actually anchored in a piercing.
I love the color here, and the dramatic shape and the use of negative space. Such a subtle but unexpectedly cool ear adornment.
Rings from the Portal collection! One major statement piece and one smaller but very lovable design. You can see the same dramatic, careful use of color and masterful deployment of negative space and geometry that characterizes the designer’s other work, but used here in a different way.
Bia Tambelli is a young brand and they’re off to a strong start – I can’t wait to see how they grow! See more on her website and her Instagram.
A huge thank you to Bia and her crew for being so friendly and patient at VicenzaOro while I fondled and photographed everything in their display cases.
Bia Tambelli says
Dear Becky, thanks so much not only for the attention you gave to my creations but above all for your great sensitivity in spreading their deepest meaning. Bia
Becky says
It was an honor! Thank you so much, Bia. I loved meeting you in Italy and seeing your glorious designs.
Gee Powers says
Smitten by the Self Ring! Your photo is ever-so-much better than the itty one they show on the Bia Tambelli site. Thanks, Becky, for enabling (pun intended) us to eyeball the Good Stuff. And a should out to my jewelry buddy Mary for referring me to diamondsinthelibrary.com
Keep traveling, Becky! Some of us don’t get out the way we used to!
Becky says
I’m in love with the Self ring too! Even the pictures hardly do it justice…I’ll have to post a video soon on IG.
Thank you so much for leaving me this lovely comment!!! And thanks to your friend Mary – clearly she’s a lady with excellent taste 😉
Jaenice Palmer says
This is gorgeous! Sign me up for the Trinity collection yesterday!
Becky says
Right??? Big and bold and irresistible.
Jaenice Palmer says
Definitely packing the message “I am woman, hear me roar”.
Becky says
Definitely!! That’s a message I’m always a big fan of.
Jaenice Palmer says
It’s easy to imagine the sort of person who wears this: Sharp, witty, fiercely nonconformist, rock star hair for days, with Queen’s “Killer Queen” blaring in the background. YES!
Becky says
Yes!! I love that image and I’m 100% with you.
Jaenice Palmer says
Mmm. Don’t forget the cravat and the gold creepers!
Becky says
Ooh yes please!!
Jaenice Palmer says
And the great thing is, the look of the bracelet isn’t gendered, so it could easily have been worn by the likes of, say, David Bowie. (Cue cravat, gold creepers, and slim-cut metallic navy suit. I am so on board with this look now, it’s not even funny.)
Becky says
Yes!!!! That would be almost unbearably spectacular.
Jaenice Palmer says
Cue chorus: “OOOOOHHH! AAAAAHHH!”
nofixedstars says
interesting, and rather lovely, but they look hard to wear? practically speaking, i mean. big and pokey…but then, jewellery isn’t really meant to be practical, i suppose… 🙂
Becky says
The Trinity collection statement pieces are much more comfortable than you’d think based on how they look, but they definitely are big and pokey (I loled at that, but it’s accurate!). Definitely occasion jewels, and not to be worn while babysitting toddlers or doing yoga.