Bompas & Parr’s Pollia Condensata Jewellery

Published 04 April 2014

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British culinary artists Bompas & Parr have collaborated with French jewellery designer Maud Traon to create a decorative bracelet combining silver with the world's shiniest biological material: the Pollia condensata.

Bompas & Parr’s Pollia Condensata Jewellery

British culinary artists Bompas & Parr have collaborated with French jewellery designer Maud Traon to create a decorative bracelet combining silver with the world's shiniest biological material: the Pollia condensata.

As highlighted in our Mineral Colour Spectrum concept for Autumn/Winter 2014-15, the Pollia condensata – also known as the Marble berry – is recognised as the 'brightest' natural object, thanks to its unique shimmering surface. The inedible fruit has a glossy exterior that reflects blue, red and green, resulting in a multi-hued, iridescent effect.

Structural components in the berry's surface mean its intriguing lustre will never fade. Harry Parr says: "It's surprising that they haven't been used in jewellery up to now, especially when you consider you don't have to process them as you would an uncut diamond."

The one-off Pollia Condensata Slave Cuff is available on Bompas & Parr's web shop, priced at £9,800 ($16,254).

Biological materials and new discoveries of the natural world are of increasing interest to designers as they seek new ways to form unusual surfaces and colours. For more, look to our Mineral rationale and colour palette, which features a lustrous hue aptly named Pollia Purple.

Read more about bio-inspired material breakthroughs in Marine Materials.