Romancing the stone

Alina Lebedeva is pretty, sedate and elegant - qualities that distinguish a Russian woman. She wears a unique ring with small demantoids, of authentic Russian design.

"I displayed a special love for gem stones and rings when I was very young. At that time, people in Soviet Union did not have much of a choice in terms of jewelry," she says. The lack inspired her to create her own designs.

Lebedeva mostly designs large stone rings. She believes that large pieces bring out the hidden facets in women, and represent a trend in jewelry design. She often works with semi-precious stones, for they come in a wide variety in colors, sizes and price ranges.