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out of the box
September 26, 2016

Decadent Jewels in the Midst of Destruction

By Maisie Cousins

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Photo: Maisie Cousins

Surrounded by bruised peaches and shattered glass, fine jewelry looks even more otherworldly. For the latest collaboration in the Cut’s Out of the Box series, 24-year-old London-based photographer Maisie Cousins took diamonds and rubies from Piaget, Chanel, and Chopard — amongst others — and offset them with images of destruction and decay.

“The shoot was inspired by the erotic novel Crash by J. G. Ballard,” Cousins explains. “If you don’t know the story, it’s about people who get turned on by car crashes. It’s pretty gross. I wanted to have a feel of these luxury jewelry pieces being found in scrap-metal debris, like little treasures and/or pieces of evidence left by someone.”

Her work blends themes of nature, indulgence, and femininity, blurring the lines between pleasure and something darker. Click ahead to see her images of some of our favorite jewels.

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1 / 14 Photos
Piaget “Sunny Side of Life” Golden palm ring, 18-karat rose-gold set with a cushion-cut tourmaline (approximately 8.86 carat) and 58 brilliant-cut dia... Piaget “Sunny Side of Life” Golden palm ring, 18-karat rose-gold set with a cushion-cut tourmaline (approximately 8.86 carat) and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds, price upon request, available at piaget.com. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Photo: Maisie Cousins
De Beers solitaire diamond ring, fancy yellow diamond with diamond pavé set in platinum. Total carat weight 12.95 carats. Price upon reque... De Beers solitaire diamond ring, fancy yellow diamond with diamond pavé set in platinum. Total carat weight 12.95 carats. Price upon request, available at De Beers Diamond Jewelers, 777 Madison Ave.; debeers.com. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Photo: Maisie Cousins
Tiffany & Co. ring, in platinum with a 3.5-carat round tanzanite and diamonds, $16,500 available at tiffany.com. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Photo: Maisie Cousins
Bulgari MVSA earrings, 18-karat pink fold with topaz and rubellite, $11,600 available at Bulgari.com. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Dior Fine Jewelry Rose Dior Bagatelle Ring, in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds, fancy yellow diamonds, and emeralds, price upon request, available a... Dior Fine Jewelry Rose Dior Bagatelle Ring, in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds, fancy yellow diamonds, and emeralds, price upon request, available at 21 E. 57th St.; (212) 931-2950. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Photo: Maisie Cousins
Chanel Fine Jewelry "Camélia Solaire” bracelet, in 18-karat white and yellow gold set with 487 brilliant-cut diamonds, 7 marquise-cut yell... Chanel Fine Jewelry "Camélia Solaire” bracelet, in 18-karat white and yellow gold set with 487 brilliant-cut diamonds, 7 marquise-cut yellow diamonds, 9 brilliant-cut diamonds, and one 1.2-carat over-cut yellow diamond, price upon request, available at Chanel; 1-800-550-0005. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Buccellati pendant earrings in white and yellow gold set with diamonds (2.65 carats), rubies (5.35 carats), and tourmalines (17.82 carats), $125,000, ... Buccellati pendant earrings in white and yellow gold set with diamonds (2.65 carats), rubies (5.35 carats), and tourmalines (17.82 carats), $125,000, available at Buccellati New York, 714 Madison Ave.; (212) 308-2900. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Chopard earrings, featuring 3.89 carats of sapphires, 2.08 carats of rubies, 2.77 carats of garnets, 2.02 carats of amethyst, and 1.54 carats of diamo... Chopard earrings, featuring 3.89 carats of sapphires, 2.08 carats of rubies, 2.77 carats of garnets, 2.02 carats of amethyst, and 1.54 carats of diamonds set in platinum, from the “Temptations Collection,” price upon request, available at select Chopard boutiques. Photo: Maisie Cousins
Photo: Maisie Cousins
Graff ring, 6.82-carat oval pink sapphire with blue and pink sapphires and diamonds, price upon request, available at Graff New York, 710 Madison Ave.... Graff ring, 6.82-carat oval pink sapphire with blue and pink sapphires and diamonds, price upon request, available at Graff New York, 710 Madison Ave.; (212) 355-9292. Photo: Maisie Cousins
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