Feel the Beat: 5 Natural Diamond Jewelry Designers Discuss the Impact of Music

Music is one of the most important aspects of our daily lives, connecting us in such a special way. Music can evoke a feeling like natural diamond jewelry through the stories it tells, the people it brings together, and the connections it fosters. For five natural diamond jewelry designers, it does just that. Each of these designers was inspired by music in some way while creating individual pieces and collections. 

Sorellina’s designers, sisters Nicole and Kim Carosella, for example, were inspired by David Bowie. They created a natural diamond ‘Playlist Cassette Tape’ pendant and necklace for this year’s COUTURE show Design Awards that won ‘Best in Innovation.’ Karina Choudhrie created a natural diamond piano ring, called ‘Sea Symphony,’ that was inspired by her love of the piano and Elton John’s talent as well. Below, get to know how music has influenced the Carosella sisters, Karina Choudhrie, Rosanne Karmes of Sydney Evan, Jade Ruzzo, and Selim Mouzannar. 

Nicole Carosella of Sorellina

For Nicole Carosella of Sorellina, music played a significant role in her life from an early age, listening to records with her grandmother. “The experience of connecting with my grandmother through music profoundly influenced my approach to jewelry design, inspiring me to create pieces that capture that same sense of connection, nostalgia, and timeless beauty,” Carosella tells Only Natural Diamonds. 

The “Playlist” collection is completely inspired by music, specifically David Bowie, featuring natural diamond-encrusted lightning bolts, records, and guitar picks to name a few. It took a little under a year to create the Playlist Cassette Tape pendant which won the COUTURE “Best In Innovation” award.

Only Natural Diamonds: Why did you choose to use natural diamonds for these pieces?

Nicole Carosella: I will always use natural diamonds in Sorellina’s designs because of their unique allure and timeless elegance. Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years under intense pressure and heat, giving each stone its own story and individuality with a sense of authenticity and rarity. Each diamond is a product of nature’s remarkable processes, which adds a layer of value and significance. This natural origin appeals to many clients who appreciate the connection to the earth and the idea of owning something truly one-of-a-kind.

OND: How do you think both music and jewelry connect people?

Carosella: Music and jewelry are both powerful forms of self-expression that transcend language and culture. As a jewelry designer, I see how both can evoke emotions, tell stories, and create connections among people. Music can inspire the design of a piece, capturing its rhythm and mood in the form of shapes and materials. Similarly, jewelry often has a personal significance, much like a favorite song, and can symbolize special moments or relationships. When jewelry & music are combined, they can create a unique harmony that resonates with individuals, bringing people together through shared experiences and expressions.

OND: Who are your favorite artists? 

Carosella: Jimi, Nirvana, Oasis, Zeppelin, The Stones

Jade Ruzzo

For designer Jade Ruzzo, her connection with music is sentimental and honors her late father, Vic, who was a musician himself. He serves as a huge inspiration to her in both life and jewelry designs, specifically inspiring the Vic ring as well as the Percussion collection.

Only Natural Diamonds: What is your first memory–song, album, record, concert–of music that made you feel connected to it? 

Jade Ruzzo: When I was very little, Mariah Carey had a cover of “I’ll Be There” out on the radio and it was my absolute favorite song. My father’s band used to play that Jackson 5 song, and at one of their shows, they dedicated the song to me. I was maybe 5 years old and I don’t think I’ve ever felt cooler than I did in that moment, It’s a core special memory that I will always remember.

OND: Why did you choose to use natural diamonds for these pieces?

Ruzzo: For the Percussion collection, I specifically chose diamonds because I loved the idea of the contrast between the concept and function of the form, an instrument meant to be literally banged up with a stick, and the use of such an extraordinary and high-quality stone. This balance is a core element of my design aesthetic. 

OND: How has music influenced your jewelry designs? 

Ruzzo: Almost all of the pieces in my collection are influenced by music in one way or another- whether it’s the concept of the way music makes you feel, or the actual form of an instrument created into a piece of jewelry.

OND:  Who are your favorite artists? 

Ruzzo: I am unapologetic about my love for Whitney Houston. Her voice basically defied logic and definitely made a huge impact on me growing up. Also, I’m big on the mantra of “live your truth” so I could never answer this without including NSYNC. It’s who I am! 

Karina Choudhrie

Karina Choudhrie’s piano Sea Symphony ring is covered in rose-cut natural diamonds and took 14 months to make. As a pianist herself, she says, “Natural diamonds were the only possible option for me when I was creating this ring. I saw the piano as coming to life with brilliant stones that would twinkle just like the music that you can imagine flowing through the piece.” Choudhrie adds, “It is crucial for me only to incorporate real, natural diamonds into my work and my clients expect the same. Also, I’ve always had a connection to Mother Earth and nature, as a gemologist I feel strongly that we must celebrate the gifts that come out of the Earth.”

Only Natural Diamonds: What is your first memory–song, album, record, concert–of music that made you feel connected to it? 

Karina Choudhrie: Definitely “Rocket Man” by Elton John. It’s such an iconic song, and of course, his piano solos make the music. I am a pianist myself, I started playing when I was only 7 and completed the Trinity College of London music exams! My passion for the piano has only grown in the years since, and it’s something I hope my children will appreciate as much as I do. 

OND: How has music influenced your jewelry designs? 

KC: I am a lover of all the Arts. I have been painting since I was a girl and music is something that is very powerful to me. When designing this ring I Incorporated it into my ‘Under the Sea’ collection. It’s an expression of the many sounds that come from the ocean. I spent many many hours practicing, listening to, and playing music, and it played a big part in my childhood experience.

OND: How do you think both music and jewelry connect people? 

KC: Let’s start with jewelry. It has an inherently valuable quality and there is always a persona attached to it. I love that a piece of diamond jewelry can be passed down from one generation to the next, carrying with it its own special journey and story along the way. Music is a universal language. I have a connection to three unique places around the globe, being born in India, growing up in Dubai, and now living in London. And I love that no matter where I am I can listen to a certain genre or origin of music and be reminded of that place or time.

Selim Mouzannar

For Selim Mouzannar, music isn’t just a sound. “It is connected to all human senses and emotions,” He explains. “I am devoted to designing jewelry collections that spark emotion in the wearer.”

Only Natural Diamonds: How has music influenced your jewelry designs? 

Selim Mouzannar: I find music intrinsic to my creativity and a source of inspiration for each piece I create. I believe that if you want to execute a project, you cannot be indifferent to the impact of music on creativity. You always need a beat and a rhythm to improve the emotion.

OND: What musician (living or deceased) would you love to see wearing a piece from your collections?

SM: I would love to see my pieces on my muses! Barbara Streisand, Rihanna, Elton John…even Elvis! [Rihanna recently wore a pair of Beirut Rosace Earrings].

Rosanne Karmes of Sydney Evan

Rosanne Karmes, designer and owner of Sydney Evan, dreams of seeing her jewelry on Cher. “Music provides me with endless inspiration. It can evoke a memory or a feeling that I then translate into my jewelry,” she said. Karmes continues, “Whenever I am designing a new collection, I always have music playing; it is just a part of my creative process.”

Only Natural Diamonds: Why did you choose to use natural diamonds for these pieces?

Rosanne Karmes: I only use natural diamonds; they are inherently more special and, thus, more valuable, taking hundreds of years to form in the ground versus a matter of weeks in a lab. Jewelry is special, particularly fine jewelry, and the stones used to create it should have that same sentiment. 

OND: How do you think both music and jewelry connect people?

RK: People worldwide connect so powerfully to music because of the joyful emotions it brings them, and I try to do the same with my designs. I love creating playful fine jewelry that makes people feel happy.