Glenn Spiro’s ingenious and exquisitely-crafted butterfly adorns the back of the hand as if poised for flight. Its delicate titanium wings are encrusted with vivid green tsavorites and edged with diamonds. They flutter with the movement of the wearer’s hand, radiating an exotic, shimmering beauty. The ring is an example of naturalism in contemporary fine jewellery. Spiro’s atelier is housed in the mirrorlined rooms that once belonged to royal couturier Norman Hartnell in London’s Mayfair. Spiro is famed for his vibrant and technically superb designs and his passion for gemstones, which surfaced at the age of 15 when he was an apprentice at Cartier.
Beyoncé is an international icon of the modern world, and one of the most successful music performers of all time. The ring is on display in the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery from today (May 11th 2018), alongside jewels associated with some of history’s most notable women including Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great and the Empress Josephine. Jewellery Curator Clare Phillips said: “Beyoncé is a figure whose personal style the V&A is proud to represent, and a gift from whose personal collection we are honoured to receive. The papillon ring she has gifted is an exquisite example of contemporary jewellery design by one of Britain’s master jewellers.”
