Renowned Irish high jeweler, Nigel O’Reilly, has joined forces with Scottish whiskey brand Aberfeldy to craft two exclusive jewels commemorating the brand’s 125th anniversary and the launch of its 25-year Scotch whiskey.
O’Reilly, known for his exceptional use of exquisite gemstones with unique cuts, personally handcrafts all his pieces in his workshop in County Mayo, Ireland, setting him apart in an industry where many designers rely on craftsmen to bring their drawings to life. His one-of-a-kind creations have gained a following among serious jewelry collectors in the U.S. and Europe.
Aberfeldy, named after the Scottish Highlands village housing its distillery, is renowned as the “golden dram” for its honeyed-colored Scotch whiskeys. The Pitilie Burn, the stream supplying water to the distillery, is known for gold deposits. Aberfeldy’s aged single malt whiskeys are celebrated for their fruity flavor and smooth, approachable taste.
In a recent event in New York, O’Reilly and representatives from Aberfeldy unveiled the two exclusive jewels alongside a seven-piece collection. The collaboration may seem unexpected at first, given the Irish-Scottish difference, but O’Reilly highlighted their shared commitment to fine craftsmanship and the production of high-quality artisan products.
O’Reilly faced the challenge of finding gems matching the unique color of Aberfeldy’s 25-year edition, ultimately choosing madeira citrine, a quartz gemstone with a deep yellow to reddish hue. He explained, “I love the way the madeira citrine reflects light like it does in the glass as you’re spinning it around.”
Inspired by Aberfeldy’s location and the Pitilie Burn river, O’Reilly crafted the Pitilie Burn Ring with ice-blue diamonds at the bottom representing the river and graduating into earthy tones of the Scottish Highlands. The honeycomb pattern on the ring pays homage to the honey notes in the whiskey.
The Aberfeldy cufflinks, inspired by the whiskey glass, feature 18k rose gold with madeira citrines at the center and burnt orange diamonds along the rim. Engraved with “125” to honor Aberfeldy’s anniversary, the cufflinks showcase a play of light within the piece.
Beyond the Aberfeldy collaboration, O’Reilly presented a show-stopping Talisman pendant necklace featuring a 69-carat salmon pink morganite crafted by the late master lapidary Erwin Springrunn. The pendant is set in an 18k rose gold floral structure with champagne and white diamonds.
The unexpected yet harmonious partnership between an Irish jeweler and a Scottish whiskey brand has resulted in a perfect blend of craftsmanship and artistry.
