The women’s jewelry set “Thaw Patch” — created in collaboration by the Yekaterinburg jewelers Aleksey Borisovich Popov and Yelena Vladimirovna Zheleznova — belongs to a series of works dedicated to natural motifs. Comprising a ring and a pair of earrings, the set’s exquisite yet restrained design evokes the magic of spring, capturing the moment when, as Boris Pasternak wrote, “the thaw patches are flooded with water and sun”.
The materials used in the composition (milky cacholong, lustrous silver, and sparkling cubic zirconia) evoke a sense of purity, transparency, and the shimmering play of sunlight on melting ice. The artists devised an original concept for the “Thaw Patch” set, centering the composition around a circular cabochon of milky cacholong. In the earrings, the cacholong circle is secured in a silver setting finished with rhodium plating for enhanced durability and brilliance. The perimeter of the setting is encircled by a row of identical cubic zirconia stones. At the top, the frame rises into a textured metal ball adorned with a floral motif resembling an open, multi-petaled flower — a symbolic representation of the spring primrose — while also serving as the attachment loop. On the reverse side, each earring bears the stamp 925 (indicating sterling silver) and the artists’ mark: USZD.
The ring features the same milky cacholong circle mounted on a rectangular platform with rounded edges, which is integrated into the band of the piece. On two opposite sides, the stone’s lateral surfaces are framed by double rows of multi-level silver plates with depressions. The upper tier of these plates extends across the front of the stone, forming a raised, convex metal bezel. The recesses in the silver elements are delicately set with matching cubic zirconia crystals. The outer surface of the ring shank is engraved with the stamp 925 and the USZD mark.
Though their creative approaches differ, Popov and Zheleznova complement each other harmoniously in their collaborative work, combining their strengths in the pursuit of expressive form. Their pieces are distinguished by exceptional craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and a shared commitment to artistic expression. Underlying their work is a philosophical engagement with the world — an interest in poetic imagery and unconventional motifs. This depth of vision allows them to create jewelry that is not only visually striking but also rich in meaning and original in form.
