Lalique Magazine 2026_ENG

Cabochon , the reinvented icon

A legacy of form What makes a jewel stand the test of time? Before becoming the master glass maker celebrated by the world of Art Deco, René Lalique was, in the words of Émile Gallé, “the inventor of modern jewellery.” At the turn of the 20th century, while the world of jewellery focused on the brilliance of gemstones and diamonds, the artist innovated by introducing glass, enamel, horn, and mother of-pearl. What interested him was form, volume — a gesture in matter. After his triumph at the 1900 Paris Exposition Uni verselle, when Art Nouveau gave way to Art Deco in the 1920s, Lalique pivoted. Turning to glass, he built his manufacture in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace, and began producing vases, lighting, and perfume bottles — until Cabochon , a ring born from a child’s wish, emerged naturally as a creation. A timeless signature With its bold roundness, Cabochon embodies a universal style. In this spirit, Marc Larminaux, Artistic and Creative Director at Lalique, has im agined three new jewels that extend this timeless signature. The earrings play on the harmony of volume and softness, where crystal – set on either rhodium-plated silver or yellow gold-plated metal – captures the light with every movement. The leather bracelet, with its slightly padded edges and thin gold-plated buckle, adds a touch of discreet refinement. As for the pen dant, it is a suspended drop of crystal, fluid and transparent in its round ness. Resting gracefully against the neckline, it is offered on an adjustable round-link chain. A Wide Palette of Colours Lalique has always displayed its mastery of colour. The Cabochon collec tion, unveiled in spring 2026, confirms it by offering the original ring in nineteen hues, ranging from the softest translucency to the most vivid tones. The bracelet, pendant, and earrings come in four distinctive shades. First, Cap Ferrat blue — the emblematic colour that fulfils the original wish: “the most beautiful blue in the world.” Then, gold lustre: col ourless crystal enhanced with a hand-applied powdery gold sheen, a technique of true craftsmanship. Deep green, an unexpected and sophisticated expression, offers a bold alternative. Finally, red – charismatic and vibrant – becomes a luminous signal. These tones interact with the crystal, a living material that captures the light, transforming each jewel into a tiny lantern, a fragment of min iature stained glass.

The Cabochon 2026 collection is a reminder that Lalique has never separated art from daily life. René Lalique’s creations were never meant to slumber behind glass but to inhabit interiors, to adorn and elevate silhouettes. This savoir-faire aligns with a savoir-être, an

ethic. Within this House, for over a century, each piece has been crafted by hand in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace, perpetuating a French tradition of excellence.

Cabochon earrings.

28