Fabergé Finds Inspiration In the ‘Game of Thrones’ Universe for a New Diamond Dragon Collection
The diamond-studded collection comes just in time for Lunar New Year and the onset of the ‘Year of the Dragon’
In celebration of Lunar New Year and the onset of the ‘Year of the Dragon,’ the House of Fabergé has created a new, diamond-studded high jewelry collection, inspired by the universe of Game of Thrones.
The fifth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, the dragon represents abundance and longevity, holding a special place in Chinese folklore. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of good luck, strength, and health, and is unique as the only mythical creature of all the animals in the zodiac.
Swirling natural diamond dragons wrap around ear-cuffs, rings, and more, while a flaming dragon’s egg (or an iconic Fabergé egg) dangles from a long necklace. According to Fabergé creative director, Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, “Natural diamonds continue to form an important part of Fabergé creations.”
The assortment was created in collaboration with the Emmy and BAFTA-winning Game of Thrones costume designer, Michele Clapton, who spearheaded the Herculean feat of dressing the world of Westeros and beyond, including the original visual narrative of the dragon-riding warrior princess Daenerys Targaryen (also known as Khaleesi), expertly portrayed by actress Emilia Clarke.
Based on author George R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, the smash-hit HBO adaptation took the world by storm in 2011 and remained a cultural phenomenon throughout its eight seasons.
A fan-favorite character throughout the series’ tenure, Daenerys was introduced as a meek young girl and transformed with a re-birth through fire into the ‘mother of dragons’ and a fierce force to be reckoned with. While the world believed dragons to no longer exist, Daenerys stepped into the fire with her dragon eggs to see that they would hatch, becoming the rarest creatures on Earth – rare like a natural diamond.
“I delved back into my original research, revisiting my ideas for how to express the characters through the textures and colors of their costumes,” the costume designer exclusively told Only Natural Diamonds. “From here, I worked with Fabergé to interpret these ideas into story-lead pieces representing the various families of Westeros. I was looking for a modern and unexpected aesthetic in the pieces that also spoke of the journeys taken by the characters.”
I was looking for a modern and unexpected aesthetic in the pieces that also spoke of the journeys taken by the characters.
Now, you can own a bit of Clapton’s genuis, drenched in natural diamonds. 140 round brilliant-cut and 16 round rose-cut white natural diamonds cover the scales of the mythical creature on the Diamond Dragon Ear Cuff, 32 round pink sapphires, and 44 Mozambiquan red rubies represent the scorching fire expelling from within. The Transformable Ear Cuff and Choker has been crafted from 18k white gold, with 679 round brilliant-cut white natural diamonds, 8 pear-shaped diamonds, and one Gemfields Mozambique red ruby, dropping from the diamond dragon’s mouth.
In 2022, Fabergé honored its own legacy with a Game of Thrones twist, creating a one-of-a-kind Fabergé dragon egg with the help of Clapton. Artist jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé designed the original objet d’art in 1885 for his first imperial commission from the Russian Emperor, Alexander III. The one-of-a-kind ornate jeweled Easter egg was a gift for his beloved wife. With natural diamonds, bright colors, enameled scales, and a dragon’s tale at the base, the heritage eggs were treated to a modern, pop-culture spin.
We chose Daenerys Targaryen as our inspiration. Her association with her dragon eggs, and journey as a result, made her the perfect character for this project.
At the time, Clapton said, “We chose Daenerys Targaryen as our inspiration. Her association with her dragon eggs, and journey as a result, made her the perfect character for this project.”
Leaving fans unsatiated in 2019, HBO has since followed up the triumphant series with a prequel on the House of Targaryen, set 172 years before the birth of Daenerys.
Beginning at the height of the Targaryen dynasty, House of the Dragon is based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 novel, Fire & Blood. Now, the show’s highly anticipated second season is set to air in the summer of 2024.
So whether you’re shopping for Lunar New Year, of as a Game of Thrones fan gearing up for House of the Dragon, these diamond dragons will bring luck, strength, and no doubt, ferocity.
