The Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels
We are pleased to share more detail about an important South African fine jewellery collection with a meaningful purpose. The Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels were mentioned in an earlier article, when the individual pieces could not yet be shown in full. This update focuses on the craftsmanship, inspiration, and collaborative design process behind the collection, including Prins & Prins’ contribution.
If you would like background on the origins and inspiration behind the collection, you can also read the earlier preview here: Fynbos as Inspiration: The Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels.
The Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels collection was conceived as a celebration of South Africa’s indigenous flora, with a particular focus on the fynbos found at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Created as a fundraising initiative, the collection was intended to support education and raise awareness of South Africa’s national botanical gardens through fine jewellery inspired by nature.
Prins & Prins’ contribution to the collection is a bracelet and matching earring set named Watsonia and Dragonfly. The pieces were designed and manufactured as a collaborative effort by Tasliem Omardien, Amy Bredenkamp, and Lindsay Seymour, drawing on both botanical study and traditional jewellery-making techniques.
This work reflects the broader philosophy of Prins & Prins, where jewellery is created through close collaboration between designers and skilled craftspeople. Our workshop has long been known for nurturing emerging talent alongside experienced professionals, resulting in work that balances artistic expression with technical excellence.
The collection also highlights the depth of expertise within our workshop, where many pieces are produced by Award Winning Goldsmiths with experience across bespoke jewellery, exhibition pieces, and limited-edition collections.
“This bangle was inspired by one of the truly beautiful jewels of our South African fynbos: watsonia. Watsonia adorns Kirstenbosch in various shades of pink and orange. From the bangle’s platinum stems, rose gold watsonias bloom which house sapphires of golden-orange and pinkish-orange. Platinum dragonflies dance over the watsonia branches. Their wings shimmer with blue glass enamel plique-à-jour, in the style of the Art Nouveau era of jewellery masters celebrating nature.” – Lindsay Seymour, Designer for Prins & Prins
At the time of its release, the Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels collection was scheduled to be exhibited in Cape Town ahead of the planned auction, allowing the public to view the pieces and engage with the stories behind their creation.