Vivian Manzardo - STONE SOUL

Stones, gemstones, rough stones.

A primordial matter that has grown over millions of years. A fascination that has accompanied mankind since forever. Weapon, object of exchange or cult, piece of jewellery. At some point, man discovered how to process these sto- nes, how to make them shine by cutting them, how to release their transparency, the light enclosed in the rock, and thus how to increase their value and make it calculable.

Unprocessed stones were considered “impure”. The word rough stone itself suggests something unfinished, primi- tive. But at the same time, the power of nature. To be untouched. To be different. Something very special, not to be categorized. Unique.

The only stones left as they are, are the ones that would crumble if one tried to cut them. What does this imply?

Doesn’t the stone also lose its unique- ness when it is cut? Its very own shape? Its magic? Through the facet cut, every gemstone resembles the other - at least at first glance. The light, the brilliance, the colour, the size can vary. The shape is predetermined in the cut.

Why does a gemstone only acquire a high value through the cut, through the loss of its unique details?

Is it perhaps related to the constant striving for perfection that is so rooted in our society? With the need to create norm?

Equal. Comparable. Predictable.

What does perfection mean? Isn’t a gemstone that has developed over thousands of years through the right temperature and pressure and grown in a mathematically precise shape already perfect? Just by its form, its soul?

The project Stone Soul, is an attempt to reassign rough stones their original value. To process them - as they are, unique, powerful, grown, natural - into precious jewellery. Authentic individual pieces that underline the uniqueness of the person who chooses and wears them.

A new type of brooch element, which merges with the stone, putting it in the centre. It is the star, even if it does not, or precisely because it does not, shine transparently. The stone and its soul in the spotlight.

From this experiment seven brooches were created in which the rough stone itself is the brooch. The material that holds it only serves to fix it, it withdraws completely, merges with the essence of the stone. With its STONE SOUL