Teresa Escudero, Rites of Passage: Innovative Art Jewelry

Rites of Passage represents a new philosophy in the field of luxury jewelry, the fruit of innovation through the research of materials and creativity. A sensationally new concept rooted in Art to explore and create unusual shapes. Founded by Teresa Escudero, Spanish artist, a bachelor’s degree in History at the famous University of Santiago de Compostela, this brand intends to harmonize her love for art and natural history.

Teresa Escudero

With her jewels, Teresa wishes to express a universal language where harmony and order are restored following the rhythm of the cosmos. As we easily understand from her brand’s name, Teresa’s art pieces aim to mark a transition, a moment of passage, but also a renewal suspended between a before and after.

Saturn ring, meteorite, deep yellow diamond, pigeon blood ruby and Paraiba tourmaline set in rose and yellow 18K gold and green titanium

She doesn’t consider a jewel as a mere adornment but as a piece that enhances our personalities and declares a unique intentionality when we give it to someone special. In the beginning Chaos reigned, as Hesiodus recounts; a new equilibrium was re-enstored later. Milesian school philosopher Anaximenes, (in ancient Greek Ἀναξιμένης, Miletus, 586 b.c. circa – 528 b.c.) had formulated a doctrine related to the arché (first principle). The source of all things originated from air that, at the latest stage of condensation, became stone or meteorite. Teresa had a brilliant intuition: introduce the metallic meteorite in High Jewelry.

Renaissance Brooch, Sikhote Alin meteorite, morganite, sapphires of different colors, aquamarine, imperial topaz, garnet, Fiji Pearl and Oregon stone set in 18K black and white gold

“I have in my hands a 3,500-million-year-old remnant of the formation of the Solar System, with a great scientific and emotional value too. I am amazed by everything that is mystery, reality and beauty: fusion of Universe and Art in its purest state. To me there is nothing more fascinating than to create pieces that symbolize the eternity of a true jewel.”

M51 ring, 10,10 ct Boulder Australian opal, Sikhote Alin meteorite, 18K yellow gold

There are numerous testimonies from antiquity on the fall of meteorites and, in particular, on the metallic nature of some of them. The ancient Egyptians and the Sumerians called iron “metal of the sky” or also “black copper of the sky”. The vault of the sky was named sidereos ouranos (i.e. iron sky) by the Greeks. The Romans associated the metal directly to the stars by calling them sidera (in Latin: from the stars).

The particularity of this material, especially the metallic one, has stimulated not only the curiosity but even the veneration of it. Fragments of meteorites have been discovered in Egyptian tombs and those of some American Indians. Some primitive peoples believed the meteorites to be powerful talismans. They were also considered a propitious shower of sperm from the Gods Inuus-Priapus who fertilized the fields with this rite. In ancient times, August was the month of fertility and the 10^th of August, called in some European cultures “the night of San Lorenzo”, is characterized by bright shooting stars that fall from the sky.

In reality, they are meteors which disintegrate when they come into contact with the atmosphere. On this special night, people express a wish that will come true at the sight of one of the falling stars. Indeed, the link between meteorites and desires is ancient. The word desiderium comes from the Latin expression de sidera (which means from iron stars or meteorites). Teresa’s creations are all one-of-a-kind, appreciated for their rarity, luxury and exclusiveness.

Dragon Fly chocker, Chrysocolla, Seymcham meteorite and 18K white and yellow gold

M 32 earrings, Colombian emerald and Madagascar aquamarine raw. Sikhote meteorite and 18K yellow gold

Messier 109 ring, Colombian emeralds in teardrop shape, not calibrate and minor oil and Sikkote Alin meteorite. All set in 18K black and white gold

They also have a thaumaturgical and propitiatory power. Wearing these pieces of art, the fortunate owner can feel the vibrations of millions of years and go back to the mists of time, restoring the rhythm of man and the seasons.

Duo pendulum necklace, Seymchan meteorite, Paraiba tourmalines and 18K white and yellow gold

These one-of-a-kind jewels are also hand-made with other precious materials such as diamonds, emeralds, spinels, aquamarines, tanzanites, organic materials and semi-precious stones like chrysocolla, chrysoprase, amazonite, onyx, tourmalines, prasem and amphibolite quartz.

Medusa ring, 24, 50 ct. aquamarine from Madagascar, diamonds, 18K white gold

Teresa Escudero’s poetics is mainly inspired by innovation and constant research of materials. She enjoys combining precious stones with unconventional cuts including rough stones and she is particularly fascinated by Australian boulder opals, the rare Myanmar’s Mongok trapiche sapphire and the Muzo emeralds.

ARE ring, 8,10 ct Colombian Trapiche emerald from Muzo mine, diamonds, 18k black and white gold

She also specialises in cutting rock crystal and carving tropical wood. Her design often features a mystical geometry: the square, symbol of stability and strength, the triangle, symbol of perfection, the circle, the eternal becoming of the panta rei (in ancient Greek “everything flows”), the arrows that lead us back to the tribal world and to the rites of passage of ancient cultures.

TENA ring, 3,95 ct minor oil Colombian emerald from Chivor set on a carved rock crystal. Band ring with emerald and irregular black diamonds pavé. Black and white gold

Teresa’s jewels are certified as ethical and responsible, according to block chain system. Each piece carries its own UUIN (Universal Unique Identifier Number) that is a guarantee of authenticity, traceability, its value and a certificate of its ownership. This very special artist stands out for her highly complex, deep knowledge of the various materials and techniques and the profound meaning of her vocation.

“I felt the earth inside the universe. Shaking, I felt earth as part of the sky. And saw myself down here, bewildered and small, wandering on a star among stars.”

(from Giovanni Pascoli’s poem – The Meteor)