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| A mix of darken silver necklaces, brooches, earrings and cuffs from Alex Soldier’s Astra Collection |
There always seem to be a place for those few who can create jewels using original techniques and artistic expressions.
Alex Soldier can certainly fit into this category. He prides himself on creating miniature sculptures using techniques that he personally developed. A recent tour of his Manhattan showroom jammed with his jewelry pieces and objects of art reveal that both types of items have this sculptural quality. Some his works are created separately in parts and then pieced together. There’s plenty of micro-quality work from pavé gem-setting to the carving of delicate lines into precious metals to give the piece a softer finish, resembling silk and cloth rather than hard metals. He will work with any and all types of metals and gems in multiple combinations.
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| Examples of butterflies by Alex Soldier |
In terms of style, his work goes to a variety of places. He seems to prefer heavily faceted colored gems. He creates patterns with a variety of colorful pavé gems. His flowers often have movement. Everything he produces has a great level of detail and texture. When he’s not creating pieces encrusted with gems, he’s doing it with intricate lattice work, using space for texture and design.
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| An example of Alex Soldier's Snail Rings |
One of his best-known pieces is his snails. Each snail is embroidered with an assortment of precious gems that form a unique color pattern. Every composition is further enhanced with final touches of fine texturing, hand-applied in several layers by Soldier.
Soldier doesn’t seem to have any present or past mentors in the art and jewelry field. What he considers his strongest influence is his native Russia, more specifically, the city of Perm in the remote Ural mountain region. It was there he says he was first influenced by the story of “Danila,” who spent seven years to carve a flower out of malachite that was ideal in form and beauty. Russian themes are certainly represented in his objects of art.
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| Alex Soldier's Diamond Starfish |
It was also there where he first worked as a jewelry designer in 1981, starting as an intern and six months later becoming the chief designer of the region’s largest jewelry plant.
When he arrived in the United States in 1990 he began working independently where he’s received a great of attention for his original methods of designing and producing contemporary jewelry in 18k gold and platinum with precious gemstones.
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| Alex Soldier's diamond-encrusted ring topped with a Tahitian black pearl |
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