Designer Ian Saudē is breaking the rules when it comes to color with the newest additions to his Etoile ring collection. Featuring funky, fun and exotic shades of precious sapphires, including fire red, lavender, deep violet, moss green, magenta and peach, the rings break away from the more traditional deep blue and ruby red hues.

The stones are set in 18K white, rose and yellow gold as well as black rhodium to both compliment and contrast with the stone color. For example, fiery red sapphires or the peachy tone of rare Padparadschka are set in black rhodium to create a sense of drama and impact.

As part of Ian Saudē’s Celestine Collection, Etoile stackable rings were originally only available in white, caffè and black diamonds or in ombre version, shaded from white to chocolate. Saudē has now expanded the color scheme of the collection to allow customers more options

“I wanted to create classic stackable rings, but in colors that are more interesting and fashionable. Although jewelry tends to be less affected by seasonal shifts, I still want to introduce different colors to better reflect the specific mood of the season,” explains Saudē. “The look is more casual, and by mixing and matching the bolder colors with existing classics, you can also change the look instantly. It’s much more fun, and I’m always on the look out for unusual new colors, even if I can only get enough to do a piece or two. It makes them more unique.”

“My inspiration for the Celestine Collection came from above – literally,” says Saudē. “To me, Celestine evokes the beauty and mystery of space. The vastness of the sky; the diffuse, glittering dust you see in the wake of a comet; and the seamless fading of darkness into light as the sun rises and sets. In the case of the black diamond pieces, it was the inscrutable depths of a dark, moonless night.”

Located on California’s Gold Coast, SAUDĒ & CO. specializes in designing distinctive personal accessories and small luxury goods for individuals as well for home, travel, hotels, spas and other distinguished destinations. Founded in 1996 by Ian and Regina Saudē, the Company provides nature and fine art-inspired accessories to boutiques and specialty stores throughout the US, and works with private clients and other designers as a dedicated creative resource. They focus, first and foremost, on creating beautiful contemporary objects that are chic but casual in appeal — things that are extraordinary, in themselves, but which can also be integrated comfortably into everyday life.

In 2008, the Company launched the new brand, IAN SAUDĒ: IS. Its website www.iansaude.com is dedicated to showcasing the latest collections of contemporary, fashion-forward fine jewelry and an evolving selection of distinctive lifestyle items as part of its on-line shopping experience. IAN SAUDĒ jewelry is produced under the supervision of Italian & French master jewelers, according to the exacting standards traditionally employed in the very best European jewelry ateliers.

Ian Saudē began his design career on a trip to the Himalayas to study Buddhist philosophy, where he subsequently lived for more than a decade. Working closely with artisans and craftspeople throughout the Himalayas and elsewhere in Asia over many years, Ian brings a wealth of expertise and insight to creating products that showcase his unique aesthetic sensibility, subtly referencing both Eastern and Western artistic traditions in a way that is thoroughly contemporary.