Nature offers the artist an inexhaustible source of inspiration. For Mikhail Mikhailovich Lesik, ideas for new works emerge not only from flora and fauna but also from natural phenomena themselves. In his torc-style necklace titled “Dawn”, the soft, rosy light of early morning is poetically captured in the gentle hue of rose quartz. The torc — a rigid neck ornament in the form of a smooth or twisted hoop — is a traditional piece widely embraced by Ural jewelers. With roots tracing back to the Bronze Age, it has long held cultural significance. In Rus, since the 12th century, the torc has been a distinctive accessory, worn by women across all social classes.
Lesik’s “Dawn” torc features a gracefully expanding metal hoop that widens downward, cradling a central pendant of oval, translucent rose quartz secured in a smooth bezel setting. From it extends an asymmetrical wavy metal band, curled at the end and adorned with a second oval rose quartz stone. On the opposite side, there are two delicate metal flowers, each centered with a small, transparent crimson gem. The clasp is elegantly accentuated with two oval pink inlays.
The stone at the heart of this work — rose quartz — evokes the delicate blush of morning clouds touched by the first rays of sunrise. Rose quartz ranges in color from faint pink in clear specimens to a rich, milky pink often flecked with hints of purple. As a beloved ornamental stone, it is widely used in carvings, talismans (pyramids, spheres, and figurines), and as inlays in jewelry, including earrings, pendants, brooches, bracelets, and other accessories.
In the “Dawn” torc, the soft, refined tones of rose quartz harmonize beautifully with the smooth curves of melchior. This copper-nickel alloy, valued for its malleability and ease of shaping, is prized in jewelry-making for its silvery sheen and versatility. It also allows for creative experimentation with form and texture. Together, these materials embody a core principle of Ural art jewelry: a deep respect for the natural beauty of stone. Here, metal does not dominate — it frames, enhances, and complements, allowing the stone’s quiet elegance to speak for itself.
