Cindy Zhang · CLIENT: Cindy Lu Jewelry
This design draws inspiration from The Baron in the Trees, interpreting the moment in which the Baron chooses freedom over conformity. Flowing metal lines represent the wind that carries him away, translated into bold and unconventional forms. Strong color contrasts reinforce the narrative. Green evokes a longing for an unconstrained world, while mandarin garnet symbolizes the Baron himself and an enduring love for humanity. The piece celebrates movement, independence, and the strength of choosing ones own path.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This idea is expressed through bold, unconventional metal lines and vivid color contrasts. Green conveys a desire for an unconstrained world, while mandarin garnet represents a lasting devotion to humanity. A pave of diamonds in varying sizes and a distinctive under bezel design bring together traditional wire sculpting and CAD modeling, resulting in a piece that is both visually compelling and comfortable to wear.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Pendant
42.8 mm (width) × 80 mm (height) × 19.8 mm (depth)
Necklace length
50cm to 60cm adjustable - Tags
- Art Jewelry necklace, vivid colors, 3D pave setting technique, 18k gold, Rhodium plating, adjustable
- Production Technology
- The necklace was developed through hand sketches, followed by copper and iron prototypes to refine the orientation of the lines. It was then modeled in Rhino and ZBrush and produced using casting techniques. Rhodium plating was applied to achieve the desired gold color. Split color diamonds are set along both sides of each line, ensuring the necklace shines from every angle in 360 degrees.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part of the creative research challenge was researching and ideating the most authentic way to represent the essence of the book through design. From a craftsmen perspective determining the optimal orientation of the 3D model in Rhino so the diamonds are properly set and visible from 360 degrees was equally challenging. I went through countless discussions with the factory to balance feasibility and aesthetics.
- Project Duration
- The project started in August 2025 in Pittsburgh and finished in January 2026 in Hongkong
- Operation Flow
- The length of the necklace is adjustable to suit different outfits.
- Research
- Using the Double Diamond research method to achieve the best jewelry wearing experience this necklace explores The Baron in the Trees through discovery definition development and delivery. Literary research and visual experimentation guided iterative design and material testing. Traditional craftsmanship combined with innovative techniques transforms artistic creativity into a wearable form that expresses intellectual freedom.
- Inspiration
- The design is inspired by The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino, whose depiction of independent thinking and a profound love for life deeply resonated with the designer. To express this pursuit of freedom, the necklace features distorted, complex lines that evoke the Baron’s final moment of release in the wildly blowing wind. Warm orange of natural gemstones contrast with cool green rhodium, conveying the novel’s emotional depth and commitment to intellectual freedom.
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Cindy Lu LLC, 2026
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