Good morning, my dears! I’m pleased to introduce you today to a fabulous designer I’ve discovered through the wonders of Instagram.

I’ve been admiring Ilana Ariel’s pretties for a while, but it was the recent photos of her Stepping Stone collection that I found myself unable to resist sharing with you.

The Ilana Ariel Stepping Stone collection evolved from the designer’s early work stringing gemstone beads together: she found herself fascinated by the way the different shapes fit together, and followed that idea to the Stepping Stone concept (named for the stepping stones in her childhood backyard).

The Ilana Ariel Stepping Stone collection features rows variously shaped and colored rows of gemstones set in 14k or 18k gold bezels. The necklace above is one of my favorite pieces: I just love the captivating colors and unique silhouette.

Here’s a very similar combination of gemstones worked into a pair of long matchstick earrings. So fabulous.

The collection also features this lariat-style necklace, a supremely sexy adaptation of the Stepping Stone motif. I can just imagine how that line of gemstones would glint colorfully up at the world from the decolletage of the lucky lady wearing this lariat.

I’ve mostly shown you the colored gemstone Stepping Stone pieces so far (you know I love color) but Ilana Ariel also makes a number of fabulous diamond-only pieces in this style. Here’s a selection of the all-diamond bar rings.

Although personally, I just can’t resist the colored stone version of the long bar ring. The juxtaposition of those opals and tourmalines with the pink sapphires and yellow gold just kills me.

Here’s a couple of these collection’s stud earrings. Magnificent, yes? Yellow gold with colored gemstones on top, rose gold with diamonds on the bottom.

What do you think of these Ilana Ariel pieces, my dears? Do they float your boat? Would you choose an all-diamond Stepping Stone piece or a colorful gemstone version for yourself?

All images and info in this post are thanks to Ilana Ariel.