The technicolour universe of British jeweller Rodney Rayner

By Daisy Tinker

Award-winning jeweller Rodney Rayner is unparallelled when it comes to creating jewellery that packs a colourful punch. During his 30 years in the industry, it's those vibrant colour combinations that have won him accolades, awards and an impressive fanbase, particularly in America, where they like their jewels big and bold.

Surrey-based Rayner often takes inspiration from nature, and his new pieces for 2013 include butterflies and flowers, liberally set with peridots, blue sapphires, tsavorites, rubies and violet sapphires. A trio of rings from the Ugazu collection are adorned with specially cut garnets that resemble honeycomb, peeping out from between colourful clusters of gems. Random-set stones in differerent shades and sizes jostle for attention in the four new Via Roma Solo rings, which continue half way around the band.

Rayner, who first set up his label aged just 26 with wife Karin, has been acknowledged repeatedly at the COUTURE awards. Nominated 10 times in the Best Design in Colour category, he recently scooped first place for the fourth time at the prestigious jewellery event in Las Vegas. In 2012 he took home the top prize in the Coloured Gemstone Below $20k category with a ring from his Via Roma collection. Originally launched at Rayner's 27th BaselWorld, the ring was crafted from white and champagne diamonds, yellow and orange sapphires, citrines and a large smokey quartz, set in rose gold and designed in his typically flamboyant style.

Rodney Rayner rings from the Ugazu collection (left to right): pink sapphire and diamond ring with garnet centre stone. set in red gold; yellow sapphire and diamond ring with garnet centre stone, set in yellow gold; green sapphire and diamond ring with garnet centre stone, set in yellow gold.
Rodney Rayner rings from the Comet collection (left to right): pavé diamond and pavé champagne diamond, rhodolite and garnet ring, set in red gold; pavé diamond, sapphire and topaz ring, set in white gold; pavé diamond, champagne diamond, citrine and smoky quartz ring, set in red gold.
Rodney Rayner Butterfly brooch with tsavorites, blue sapphires, diamonds, pavé diamond wings and a peridot, set in white and red gold.
Rodney Rayner Flora rings (left to right): pavé violet sapphire and rose-cut champagne diamond , in white gold; pavé and rose-cut ruby ring, set in white gold; pavé and rose-cut champagne diamond ring, set in white gold; pavé tsavorite and rose-cut champagne diamond ring, set in white gold.
Rodney Rayner white gold Flora necklace with rubies, rose-cut diamonds and champagne diamonds.
Rodney Rayner Via Roma Solo rings (left to right): pavé pink sapphire, diamond and rhodolite ring in red gold; pavé blue sapphire, diamond and blue topaz ring set in red gold; pavé orange sapphire, champagne diamond and citrine ring set in red gold; pavé tsavorite, blue sapphire, diamond and topaz ring set in red gold.
Rodney Rayner Via Roma Oval rings (left to right): pavé blue sapphire, diamond and blue topaz ring set in red gold; pavé tsavorite, blue sapphire, diamond and blue topaz ring set in red gold; pavé orange sapphire, champagne diamond, diamond and citrine ring set in red gold.
The Rodney Rayner ring that won second runner-up prize at the 2012 Couture Awards in the Coloured Gemstone Above $20k category.
Rodney Rayner rings from the Igazu collection (left toright): pink sapphire and champagne diamond ring, set in red gold; green sapphire and diamond ring, set in yellow gold; blue sapphire and diamond ring, set in red gold.