RHS Chelsea Flower Show is upon us, and what better way to mark this eagerly awaited event than with the perennially popular jewellery collection that was first imagined there. In 2000, Boodles’ Head of Design Rebecca Hawkins visited the Chelsea Flower Show. She drew inspiration from the way light reflected on raindrops as they glistened in the sun:
“I saw rain trickling down a very simple four-sided pillar, it was channelling down in rills, collecting in little droplets, some of them single, some of them grouped together in different sizes, catching the sunlight and looking really beautiful — I made a little scribble on a scrap piece of paper.”
It was this, quintessentially British scene that inspired one of the most iconic and enduring contemporary jewellery collections. The design, decorated with shimmering cascades of diamonds, features bezel set stones, in a variety of sizes, reminiscent of these raindrops. Initially released in a collection of diamonds and platinum, the line has since evolved to include rose, yellow and white gold – set with sapphires, tourmaline and Argyle pink diamonds.
Launched in 2002, the Raindance Collection featured a pendant and earrings, followed by a bracelet, necklace and the now iconic ring. The Raindance ring was chosen by the Victoria & Albert Museum as an icon of British Jewellery design, and has been on permanent display since 2009.
From 2002 – 2009, over a thousand Raindance rings had been sold. The appeal continues to grow through to the present day – as of last year, the Raindance collection accounted for 12% of Boodles company sales. The enduring appeal of the rings in particular is quite simple, as Hawkins said: “Who doesn’t like to see diamonds dancing across their finger?”
For their 25th anniversary last year, Boodles launched the Boodles Raindance Garden Collection, and commemorated the event with a gold-medal winning garden of the same name at the Chelsea Flower Show (pictured above). The anniversary collection featured Argyle pink diamonds set in rose gold, alongside platinum set white diamonds.
Often Imitated, Never Replicated
As with any popular jewellery collection, the Raindance Collection has formed inspiration for many other jewellery designs and comparables available to purchase. Sites where you can configure your own version of the Raindance ring with natural or laboratory grown diamonds, ‘Rain Drops’ and ‘Bubble’ rings can also be found. These pieces however do not possess the quality, craftsmanship or enduring value of the original collection, and therefore their replacement value will be fractional.
Do your clients have Boodles Raindance jewellery in their collection? If so, it may be worth thinking of a re-valuation. Contact our team for further information about our jewellery valuation services, and how our specialist, nationwide team can assist your clients.
Liz worked in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter for one of the UK’s leading regional jewellery auction houses whilst completing her FGA and DGA qualifications from the Gem-A, achieving top marks in each.