Karen Suen’s Paraiba tourmaline earrings glow in vivid turquoise

The turquoise glow of Paraiba tourmaline possesses an almost ethereal luminosity, a quality that seems to shift between the depths of the ocean and the clarity of a winter sky. Karen Suen’s latest earrings harness this singular radiance through cabochon cut stones arranged in a teardrop form, where multiple rounded surfaces catch light from every angle and throw it back with an intensity that feels almost crystalline.

The design moves from a single turquoise stone suspended from a delicate surmount, down into a generous lower pendant composed of several cabochon cut Paraibas clustered together like a cascade of precious water. Between each stone sits a lattice of white metal and diamond, creating a rhythm that guides the eye downward while allowing light to penetrate the composition. The effect is one of gentle luxury rather than architectural statement: these earrings understand that the gemstone itself requires no embellishment beyond careful setting and the discipline of fine metalwork.

Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil carry an almost legendary status among collectors and connoisseurs, their distinctive blue and blue green hues enriched by trace copper that gives them their characteristic glow. The cabochon cut, which curves the stone’s surface into a smooth dome rather than faceting it into geometric planes, emphasises the depth and saturation of colour while creating the soft, luminous quality these tourmalines are prized for. It is a choice that speaks to Karen Suen’s approach: one that values the stone’s natural magnificence rather than imposing complexity upon it.

The earrings are available through Karen Suen Fine Jewellery’s Hong Kong atelier, where bespoke commissions and fine jewellery collections are created to order.

Imagery courtesy of Karen Suen Fine Jewellery (@karensuenfinejewellery).