Introduction:
There are moments in design when nature and imagination collide — when a gemstone comes into its own and speaks volumes about what it will become. That moment arrived in our workshop with the Tourmaline Butterfly Collection: a series of sculptural, hand-forged pendants that capture the delicate elegance of a butterfly just before it takes flight.
This is the story of how the collection came to life — and why it continues to enchant across generations.
It All Begins With the Gemstones:
Like many of our masterpieces, this collection began with the gemstones themselves.
Each “wing” is carved from extraordinarily rare tourmaline pairs, revealing unique colour gradients that range from muted greens and soft greys to dusky pinks and deep claret reds. Some stones are translucent, others opaque. Many bear natural inclusions — veins of memory that add depth and character. No two pairs are ever the same.
Rudolf spent decades collecting these tourmalines, often waiting years to find their perfect match. The patience involved is remarkable, but so is the result.
Sculpting Flight in Gold:
Once the perfect pairs were found, the challenge became how to give them form without overshadowing their natural beauty.
The answer lies in a harmonious blend of geometry and grace. Each butterfly is set within a custom-forged 18ct gold frame — some resting on torcs, others suspended from handmade gold chains. Diamonds, sapphires, and moonstones serve as subtle accents, enhancing the butterfly’s charm rather than competing with it.
These pieces balance figurative and abstract design — a rare departure from Rudolf Heltzel’s usual architectural and sculptural style, making the collection all the more distinctive.
Why the Butterfly?
The butterfly is a universal symbol of transformation, freedom, and fleeting beauty. This collection captures the delicate balance between elegance and strength — representative of both the tourmaline and the woman who wears it.
“To freeze a moment in mid-flight — that was the idea. We wanted the viewer to feel both movement and stillness.”
— Christopher Heltzel
These pieces celebrate evolution, growth, and the quiet power of presence. They are designed to be worn boldly and proudly, as statements of becoming.
Notable Pieces:
Some standout works in the collection include:
Butterfly II: A showstopper with 75.51ct of tourmaline wings, sapphires, rubies, and rare white diamonds — soft geometry in motion.
Butterfly V: Four wings complemented by glowing rainbow moonstones, evoking iridescence in movement.
Tourmaline Butterfly VI: Featuring a pair of carved tourmaline wings, 9 emerald cabochons, 8 faceted pink sapphires, 3 sapphire cabochons, 1 pink-purple sapphire
Each design is a meditation in balance — colour, weight, symmetry, and emotion.
Butterfly II
Butterfly V
Tourmaline Butterfly VI
