Modern, Sleek Designs of Pierre-Yves Jewelry

A necklace made of 18K gray gold, 71.66ct amethyst center stone, tsavorite garnets, and 9mm-11.5mm Tahitian pearls.

“Modern architecture” is how Pierre-Yves Paquette describes his jewelry designs. The consistencies in his creations are the use of strong, sculptured lines,18k textured gold, and a subtle use of color. But within that framework he uses several techniques and a variety of materials to produce a breadth of finished pieces. His company, Pierre-Yves, was one of about 250 jewelry designers at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, held February 17-21.

The Canadian designer—who lives and works in Saint-Sauveur, Quebec—mixes his gold with sterling silver and copper in subtle combinations to produce yellow, gray and pink gold; and then combines the metal with diamonds, Tahitian pearls and an assortment of colored stones. He employs Mokume Gane, the ancient Japanese technique that brings out underlying textures and nuances of metals, but mixes it with more modern techniques.

He also has an eye for wearability, creating interchangeable pieces. “The different chains and pendants link together,” he said at his booth. “Mixing and deciding what jewelry you can wear instead of being stuck with one or two pieces.” He also creates sleek tension rings with colored gemstones and Mokume Gane patterns.
(above: tension ring using 18K gray gold and sterling silver mokume gane, 22K lemon, 0.35ct blue diamond.)

The Buyers Market of American Craft is a premiere wholesale trade show of art and luxury goods for home and fashion held each year at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. There were about 250 jewelry exhibitors at this year’s show who employ a variety of materials and techniques to create commercially viable artistic statements. In addition to jewelry, products on display included art glass, furniture, home and fashion accessories, kitchen goods, toys and sculpture.