Gimel represents the Japanese studio of Karuru Kei Akihara (born 1944), renowned for its masterful use of rare and fine gemstones to create exquisite jewelry, ranging from elegantly understated settings to beautifully intricate creations.
She pursued rigorous training in jewelry design and painting, while also immersing herself in the traditional Japanese art of ikebana and the principles of the tea ceremony. These latter studies profoundly shaped the aesthetic of Gimel’s creations.
As Kaoru Kei Akihara states, “Every piece of jewelry must tell a story.” Consequently, her designs often incorporate minute details, such as a tiny snail crawling on the underside of a leaf within a brooch. These subtle elements render Gimel’s items truly distinctive and special.
Numerous Gimel pieces are modeled after Japanese flora and fauna, including turtles, crabs, and leaves.
The natural splendor of Japan serves as the primary inspiration for Kaoru and her small team of artisans at Gimel.
The Gimel Jewelry House workshop sits atop Mount Rokko, near Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, and is celebrated for its exceptional beauty.
The foundation of Gimel jewelry lies in its pave technique. Derived from the French word for “tile,” pave is a setting method that secures precious stones to a metal framework, a technique historically prominent in Art Deco jewelry.
It evokes a wonderful, sweet, and graceful realm of adornment… Although Japanese jewelers may be reserved and modest in expressing beauty through their work, their “voice” remains pure and fresh.
