Editor’s Note
Messika marks its 20th anniversary with the high jewelry collection “Terres d’Instinct,” a vibrant tribute to the raw beauty and instinctual spirit of Namibia, as envisioned by founder Valérie Messika.
Messika has unveiled its new high jewelry collection, “Terres d’Instinct,” inspired by Namibia and elevated by the power of colored gemstones. Meaning “Land of Instinct,” this collection is an homage to the landscapes, wildlife, and vibrant light of Southern Africa. Founder and Creative Director Valérie Messika drew inspiration from her encounter with the raw, powerful nature in Namibia, the heart of boundless earth.
The glow of minerals in the Kalahari Desert, the red dunes of the Namib Desert, the grace of the cheetah, the nobility of the lion—each creation explores a new emotion in jewelry. Valérie Messika reinterprets and creates jewelry inspired by Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa from a contemporary perspective.
Bold forms, plays on volume, graphic contrasts, and sharp light effects. This collection, commemorating the Maison’s 20th anniversary, fuses gold and diamonds with unprecedented textures and finishes. Sharp incisions, stylish stripes, and organic motifs express the raw landscape and animal strength in a free language.
The first chapter of the “Terres d’Instinct” collection features 16 sets, each a manifesto of free style. Among them, the “Kalahara” set stands out with two yellow diamonds (one approximately 35 carats). The set’s necklace can be worn in four ways—as a triple-line plastron, double-line, choker, or pendant.
“Mirage” evokes the illusion of the slowly flowing dunes of Sossusvlei. Undulating volumes are expressed through brushed gold and the three-dimensionality of pavé, with beauty emerging in the space between dream and design.
Shaped by the echo of rough stones and hot winds, Kalahara was born from a land of contrast and light. The brilliance of brushed gold and pavé diamonds enables four ways of wear. A 34.92-carat yellow diamond shines brilliantly like the desert sun. Necklace: 3,298 diamonds, totaling 103.30 carats.
Opposing forces maintain tension in perfect balance. An architectural creation where onyx and baguette-cut diamonds draw a constructive rhythm, centered with two Cadillac-cut diamonds. Inspired by the savannah zebra. Two shield-cut diamonds, totaling 3.02 carats.
“Fauve” means “raw force.” Sharp cuts like lion’s claw marks on brushed gold. Pavé diamonds shine between deep incisions. Strength is not flaunted but felt. It trembles within and cuts through the surface. Necklace: 2,491 diamonds, totaling 70.28 carats.
In this collection, Valérie Messika ventures into the world of colored gemstones for the first time. For a Maison known for diamonds, this collection is a monumental step. For the 20th anniversary, various colored gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, emerald, spinel, garnet, and onyx have been added. Colored gemstones embody the vibrant nuances of Africa—the fiery red of a Kalahari sunset, the deep green of an oasis, the turquoise blue of a bird’s feather. Each stone captures a fragment of wild nature, sometimes flamboyant, sometimes mysterious. A highlight is a 30-carat Zambian emerald featured in the “Divine Enigma” set.
Throughout the collection, the brilliance of diamonds weaves the narrative. Diverse settings (mass setting, snow setting, éclat en tout, cushion cut, baguette cut, heart cut, etc.) highlight the Maison’s unique craftsmanship and family tradition.
“Terres d’Instinct” embodies the bold creativity and innovative spirit that symbolize the Maison. It is a collection that brings a new perspective to high jewelry, unleashing free artistry. Its expression is unconstrained by conventions, boldly advancing towards new horizons.
