100% BIO is a series of illustrations I created for Instagram, where art, gemmology and nature come together. This project plays on aesthetics, on the border between reality and fiction, with the stone as the undisputed protagonist. Each gem is staged in an original way: it can come to life, transform into a mountain or interact with its environment. Whether faceted or rough, it is always accompanied by an animal that resembles it and dialogues with it.
All the illustrations in this series are entirely handmade in gouache. They reflect the freedom of my imagination and the richness of my creative spirit. Come closer and explore the hidden details of this fascinating stone.
Which stone is shown in this illustration?
I chose a bright orange spessartite garnet, cut into a brilliant round shape. The finest specimens of this variety of garnet are found in Germany, Tanzania, Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya, China and Pakistan.
What are the characteristics of spessartite garnet?
The color of spessartite garnet varies from bright orange-yellow to red, with less frequent brown nuances. This manganese-rich stone has a very high refractive index, giving it remarkable brilliance.
The spessartite can have different types of inclusions, such as liquid droplets, healing frosts or solid inclusions, such as apatite fragments.
In this illustration: On the left, you can see small white dots, known as “healing frosts”. In the center, a solid inclusion of apatite is visible. At bottom right, light reflects off the stone, highlighting its brilliance.
Why a fox?
The fox, with its magnificent orange coat, is naturally reminiscent of the flamboyant hue of spessartite garnet. It's also a curious and mischievous animal, capable of stopping only to contemplate the beauty of this rare stone.
If you look closely, a sort of dialogue develops between the fox and the garnet, evoking the iconic scene in The Little Prince where the fox teaches: « On ne voit bien qu’avec le cœur. L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. »
If you want to see the complete series of illustrations, please visit my Instagram account. @veronicacyrot_bijoux
See you soon for the next stone!
