The mythology of Native American culture is brought to life in the latest jewellery collection by French designer Lydia Courteille. The Rainbow Warrior Prophecy collection takes its name and vibrant colours from the legendary prediction made by the Arizona-based Hopi tribe that the souls of the world’s first men will return to Earth as a rainbow-hued collective to teach people about love and worship.
Read more about chasing the rainbow with graduated coloured gemstones
According to the Rainbow Warrior Prophecy: “It will come a day when people of all races, colours and faiths will disregard their differences. The warriors of the rainbow will come together in love, joining hands in the unification to cure the Earth and all its children.”
Lydia has translated this message of love and harmony into jewels that radiate vivacious energy courtesy of coloured gemstones such as turquoise, rainbow chrysocolla, tsavorites, amethysts and sapphires, as well as diamonds and multicoloured enamel, all set in copper-coated gold. Particularly impressive are a pair of Lydia Courteille earrings with bright translucent turquoise icicles anchored by painted enamel feathers resembling those on a native Indian headdress.
Based in Paris, Lydia studied biochemistry before a chance encounter with an antiques dealer opened her eyes to the world of jewellery and coloured gemstones. After gaining a diploma from the Gemmological Institute, she opened her own antique shop before launching her eponymous jewellery line 30 years ago. Her bold, statement jewels have made her a favourite with the international fashion set and high-profile clients such as Goldie Hawn and Karl Lagerfeld, who dubbed Lydia “a genius for making jewellery”.
View the Lydia Courteille Kites collection
Having acquired more than 10,000 pieces of antique jewellery across her lifetime, it’s not surprising that Lydia’s creations are inspired by historical jewels as well as ethnic, tribal designs and Egyptian motifs.
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Lydia Courteille Rainbow Warrior Prophecy necklace featuring fancy sapphires, lapis lazuli, blue turquoise, green turquoise, yellow jasper, purple sugilite, ruby, red chalcedony, and diamonds, all set in gold.
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Lydia Courteille Thunderbird earrings featuring white diamonds, rainbow chrysocolla and fancy sapphires, set in copper-coated gold.
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Turquoise icicles add a colourful pop to these Peace Pipe earrings by Lydia Courteille, which also feature white diamonds and painted enamel.
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Lydia Courteille Signs ring from the designer’s new Rainbow Warrior Prophecy collection with fancy sapphires, tsavorites, white diamonds, amethysts and moonstone, set in copper-coated gold.
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Colourful earrings from Lydia Courteille’s new Native American-inspired Rainbow Warrior Prophecy collection set with sunstones, fancy sapphires, white, black and brown diamonds, and tsavorites.
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These mismatched earrings from Lydia Courteille’s Rainbow Warrior Prophecy collection feature sapphires, yellow sapphires, white diamonds, tsavorites, turquoises, apatites and chrysocolla, set in copper-coated gold.
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Arrow earrings from Lydia Courteille’s new Rainbow Warrior Prophecy collection inspired by Native American mythology and set with turquoise, white diamonds and flint.
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The mythology of Native American culture is brought to life in the latest jewellery collection by French designer Lydia Courteille.
