Jelly fish, seahorse, sting ray, fish and crabs have, for long, swam through the creative landscape, inspiring jewelers to design brooches, earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and rings.

Back in the 1920s, sea creatures were a favorite design theme at the house of Bovin. Later on, Jean Schlumberger crafted some beautiful jewels for Tiffany&Co, some of which, as you’d guess, were inspired by the inhabitants of the marine world. Tiffany’s Shell clip and Starfish clips, a stunning fish bracelet featuring scale motifs adorned with sapphires, spinels and diamonds were a feast for the eyes.

So, we decided to soak up bejeweled inspirations from last year’s Baselworld, where the sea creatures inspired many a fine piece, along with some new designs. We’ve put together a pretty jewel gallery with shimmering sea creatures all the way from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, lost seahorse, turtles, stingray and flying lionfish all ready to swim through the waves.

“I am drawn to fishes because of the beauty as well as the symbolic meaning it bears in different cultures. In Phoenician culture, for instance, the fish represents luck and prolificity. Such symbolism can also be found in monotheist religions,” says Nayla Arida, who was inspired to design her Abondance collection featuring colorful fish.

If you are heading for a weekend holiday to a beach resort or going sailing, we have just the perfect set of fine jewels that can be paired with your swimwear, and a couple of fancy gem-encrusted versions for a cocktail party and candlelight dinner.

Browse through the gallery.

Smitha Sadanandan