Emerald Stone That Isn't Emerald Green
I’d like to start by admitting that I first designed the CROWN ring for myself. Over the years, as I learned more about the symbolism behind the classic solitaire engagement ring, I realized I never truly liked it. When I asked myself why, I wondered—was it a desire to stand apart from the crowd? Or perhaps it was the idea of that bright diamond worn by every married woman, a status symbol given by someone else? I’m not sure. But somehow, it never felt right to me.
On the other hand, I do love wearing jewelry. But what I enjoy even more is designing and creating it. Since I’m not fond of white diamonds, I ended up with the exact opposite—a two-carat black diamond. And so I told myself, “I’m going to make a ring with this stone.” That’s how the CROWN collection began.
I went on to design rings and earrings with colorful gemstones and champagne-colored diamonds. Then, one day, my friend and fellow designer Sibel called me. She said she had a solitaire emerald. When I first heard the story behind it, I was deeply moved. Designing a CROWN ring for such a special stone was incredibly exciting for me. What made it even more meaningful was that this was the very first custom-made design in the collection—and it was for a dear friend.
It also happened to be the first piece of jewelry I crafted in my workshop in the village. Thank you so much, dear Sibel.
And now, I’d love for everyone to hear the story of this emerald—that isn’t green—in your own words:
**“It must have been 1974 or 1975. We were in Canberra, Australia. My father was an attaché at the embassy, and I was in elementary school. My mother had developed a fascination with gemstones, especially opals.
Somehow, I don’t remember exactly how, we ended up going a few times to a nearby riverbed to search for gold and precious stones. Professional prospectors were there with sieves and pans, sifting through the river water to collect stones and gold. My mother joined in using kitchen strainers and colanders she had brought from home. I was right there with her, excited to be part of the adventure.
I don’t recall which trip it was, but one time, we found quite a large stone. In its raw form, it was two or three times the size of the stone you see on the ring today. I remember us showing it to the other prospectors—they held it up to the light. Despite its murky, dark moss color, they said it was an emerald, though one of no commercial value. Maybe it was a piece someone had found before and tossed back into the river, thinking it worthless… Who knows?
Still, my mother and I were thrilled. After all that searching, we had finally found something. Looking back now, I realize it wasn’t about the monetary value—it was the joy of searching for something together and finding a piece that spoke to us with its form and color.
It wasn’t until about five years later that the stone was cut and polished—in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The final stone weighs in at five carats. Since then, it waited in drawers—first my mother’s, then mine—for decades.
When I saw your CROWN ring design, this big gemstone was the first thing that came to mind. And just like that, the emerald—that isn’t green—that my mother and I found together finally found its home. Exactly fifty years later…”**
What an incredible story, dear Sibel.
It means so much to me to be part of this transformation—from a stone found on the other side of the world to a meaningful piece of jewelry you now wear close to you.
Wishing you joy as you wear it, always.
Özlem