Glamour in the Garden

Wearable art made from precious metals and stones reflects the diverse colors and compositions of some of the world's great gardens.
A green bejeweled butterfly, a purple pendant, and a ruby bracelet lay next to pictures of a green garden.

Bellingrath Gardens

Reflective of the flora that blooms year-round at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Alabama, these timeless adornments epitomize Southern chic. Their pastel palettes and feminine forms recall the camellias, azaleas, irises, and hydrangeas that grace the property’s 900 acres. The estate, originally known as “Belle Camp,” was intended as a fishing camp for Walter Bellingrath, one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers in the Southeast. The transformation from private retreat to public garden is due to the efforts of Bellingrath’s wife, Bessie, who began developing the grounds with architect George Bigelow Rogers in the late 1920s.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Multi-color topaz necklace in 14K yellow gold ($3,550) from Bromberg’s; brombergs.comAmethyst carved pendant with diamonds in 18K yellow gold with oval Rolo chain in 18K yellow gold (price upon request) from Goshwara; goshwara.comEva Legoura 18K gold articulated ceramic and ruby centipede brooch ($5,900) from Tenenbaum Jewelers; tenenbaumjewelers.comParaiba flower ring in platinum (price upon request) from Goshwara; goshwara.comOpal butterfly necklace with diamonds in 18K yellow gold ($7,800) from Bromberg’s; brombergs.comPink sapphire and diamond ring in 18K white and rose gold ($57,000) from Bromberg’s; brombergs.comEnchanted Garden flower cluster band ring in 18K green gold with diamonds ($2,530) from Penny Preville; pennypreville.comBackdrop: Normandy Grass Cloth in “Blush” from Thibaut; thibautdesign.com

Read more about Bellingrath Gardens.

Jade floral earrings, a pendant necklace, and a gold koi fish necklace lay next to pictures of Hyakka'en Garden.

Hyakka’en Garden

From butterflies and koi fish to pagodas and lotus flowers, these jewels express the spirit and symbolism of ancient Asian cultures as seen at Tenryū-ji Temple near Kyoto, Japan. Erected in 1339 in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo, the temple was officially consecrated in 1345 and has been designated first among Kyoto’s “Five Mountains,” the city’s five major Zen temples. The grounds surrounding Tenryū-ji feature some of Japan’s most important gardens, including Hyakka’en, the Garden of a Hundred Flowers. While other gardens on the site date as far back as 700 years, Hyakka’en is a mere 40 years old yet overflows with flowering trees, bushes, and herbs.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Gold, white topaz, ruby, emerald, and amethyst Lotus ring ($15,500) from Belperron; belperron.comOnyx and multi-colored jade necklace ($750) from Rex Harris Fine Jewelry; 205.871.3333 • 19th-century antique porcelain button Pagodas pendant ($4,100) from Elizabeth Locke; elizabethlocke.comPink tourmaline, pink chalcedony, and white sapphire earrings ($1,095) from Rex Harris Fine Jewelry; 205.871.3333 • Vintage 1980s David Webb 18K gold koi fish necklace ($26,800) from Tenenbaum Jewelers; tenenbaumjewelers.comGoshwara flower-shape carved jade earrings with diamonds in 18K white gold (price upon request) from Goshwara; goshwara.com • Backdrop: Normandy Grass Cloth in “Spa Blue” from Thibaut; thibautdesign.com

Diamond encrusted earrings, a gold ring, and a silver floral necklace lay next to pictures of Versailles.

Gardens of Versailles

Gold and silver pieces embellished with brilliant gemstones exude the opulence of the Gardens of Versailles. In the late 1660s, Louis XIV commissioned renowned French landscape architect André Le Nôtre to execute his vision for the grand palace and gardens that would one day reign among the country’s crown jewels with nearly 6 million visitors each year. Emerald-green lawns and meticulously manicured parterres feature groves and gardens brimming with daffodils, primrose, jasmine, and narcissus.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 18K yellow gold Criss Cross cuff ($21,500) from Verdura; verdura. comOpera Tulle ring in 18K yellow gold with green enamel ($3,400) from Buccellati; buccellati.comEnchanted Garden single row flower eternity band in 18K green gold with diamonds ($4,645) from Penny Preville; pennypreville. comOpera Tulle necklace in white gold set with diamonds ($16,500) from Buccellati; buccellati.comGumuchian Secret Garden 18K gold outline Illusion diamond ring ($6,600) from Gumuchian; gumuchian. comGoshwara pear shape opal cabochon and peridot flower stud earrings in 18K yellow gold (price upon request) from Goshwara; goshwara.com • Backdrop: Normandy Grass Cloth in “Willow” from Thibaut; thibautdesign.com

Read more about the Gardens of Versailles and the Petit Trianon.

A beaded necklace, a turquoise necklace, a pair of drop earrings, and ruby rings lay next to pictures of the American Southwest desert.

Desert Botanical Garden

Heavy metals, honed stone, and fine gems in sun-scorched hues emulate the rugged beauty of Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. Sprawled across 55 acres near the dunes of the Sonoran Desert, the awe-inspiring oasis is home to 50,000 plants, including prickly cacti, velvety succulents, and whimsical wildflowers. Founded in 1930, the garden began as a labor of love by a group of local conservationists who rallied and formed the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society. By the end of the decade, they had established Desert Botanical Garden as a nonprofit museum dedicated to the preservation and display of desert plants.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bellariva chain in 19K gold with hammered finish ($11,100) from Elizabeth Locke; elizabethlocke. comSmall Sleeping Beauty turquoise and pearl Maltese cross ($5,100) from Elizabeth Locke; elizabethlocke.comFlat diamond earrings in 18K white and rose gold with engraving ($20,500) from Bromberg’s; brombergs.comBulgari Tubogas bracelet in 18K rose, yellow, and white gold ($8,950) from Tenenbaum Jewelers; tenenbaumjewelers.comImportant Breguet 18K gold Bague L’Orangerie flower ring with rubies and diamonds ($32,500) from Tenenbaum Jewelers; tenenbaumjewelers.comTiger-eye necklace with vermeil catch ($350) from Rex Harris Fine Jewelry; 205.871.3333 • Virgin gold Wave ring ($7,500) from Belperron; belperron.comVirgin gray gold Wave ring ($6,500) from Belperron; belperron.com • Backdrop: Normandy Grass Cloth in “Straw” from Thibaut; thibautdesign.com

Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux and Mercy Lloyd

Styled by Margaret Zainey Roux and Sutton Ward

Photography by David Hillegas