In the wild, the zebra’s stripes are a survival mechanism — a masterclass in camouflage through contrast, allowing the animal to disappear in plain sight. At Boodles, those same stripes are reimagined not to conceal, but to command attention. Translated into high jewellery through graphic black enamel, marquise-cut diamonds and vivid Colombian emeralds, the Zebra suite plays with rhythm, symmetry and scale. It’s one of the boldest chapters in A Family Journey: Around Africa in 10 Days — a ten-piece collection inspired by a real-life African adventure taken by members of the Wainwright family. From safari landscapes to gemstone sourcing, each design captures a moment. The Zebra, in particular, captures a mood: alert, precise and utterly unmissable.

Where others might take a literal or sentimental approach, Boodles chooses a sharper lens. The zebra motif is reinterpreted through platinum settings, marquise-cut diamonds and bold sweeps of black enamel — not as mimicry, but as modern pattern-making. Against this monochrome framework, the Colombian emeralds appear almost electric. It’s not just jewellery that references nature — it’s design that reframes it. Not decorative. Declarative.

“Monochrome with a striking splash of emerald … the green echoes the lush backdrop of Africa’s landscape”

 Rebecca Hawkins, Design Director

Rebecca Hawkins, Head of Design, Boodles

Her description is apt — but the suite also does something emotional. It doesn’t just reflect the zebra; it channels its energy. The pieces feel alive, kinetic, as if caught mid-motion. There’s a tension in the lines, a rhythm in the contrast, that gives each element a sense of pulse — like the flick of a tail, the sudden turn of a head. It’s jewellery with presence, as though it might shift or breathe if you looked away for just a moment.

Anatomy of a Suite

Each piece in the Zebra suite plays its own part — distinct in form, but united in rhythm — together creating a miniature ecosystem of light, contrast, and scale. From the angular precision of marquise diamonds to the deep green glow of Colombian emeralds and the graphic sweep of enamel, every element contributes to a visual language that feels both deliberate and instinctive. It’s a suite built not just on symmetry, but on flow — like a pattern found in nature, reimagined through human hands.

The Ring

The ring is the suite’s focal point — a 16.72 carat oval Colombian emerald set at its heart, vivid and alive with green fire. Surrounding it, marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds form a sunburst halo, their sharp geometry softened by the undulating lines of black enamel that ripple through the platinum setting. Bold but balanced, it captures the essence of the Zebra theme: contrast, movement and intent. A showstopper, designed not just to be worn — but noticed.

The Zebra Ring

The Earrings

The earrings bring vertical drama to the suite, framing the face with graphic elegance. Each drop begins with a cushion-cut Colombian emerald, its saturated green tone echoed below in cascades of marquise diamonds. Black enamel detailing slices through the platinum setting, enhancing contrast and lending a zebra-like rhythm to the design. Suspended yet structured, they sway with light, catching it from every angle — bold enough for evening, refined enough to stand alone.

The Zebra Earrings

The Necklace

The necklace is a study in precision and power. Crafted in platinum, it curves elegantly around the collarbone, tapering towards a 3.35 carat octagonal-cut Colombian emerald that anchors the entire suite. Forty-six marquise diamonds create a sweeping silhouette, their pointed tips echoing the stripes of a zebra in motion. Over 1,000 brilliant-cut diamonds add texture and shimmer, while enamel detailing sharpens the contrast. It’s theatrical, yes — but also highly architectural, balancing fluidity with control.

The Zebra Necklace

The Bracelet

The bracelet might be the most quietly powerful piece in the suite. Set in platinum and striped with glossy black enamel, it features 15 marquise-cut diamonds and more than 1,100 brilliant cuts arranged in clean, graphic formation. The contrast between sharp lines and soft curves gives it a sense of movement — like a zebra mid-stride. Though richly detailed, it wears with ease: more cuff than bangle, more statement than afterthought.

The Zebra Bracelet

“One of my favourites is the Zebra suite. Monochrome with a striking splash of emerald, it was inspired by the powerful imagery of zebras in their natural habitat. The green of the emerald echoes the lush backdrop captured in the photography from the trip, a nod to the landscape that brought the design to life.”

The Journey That Sparked It

In October 2024, Boodles Chairman Nicholas Wainwright and Marketing Director Honour Wainwright set out on a ten-day African journey. From boarding South Africa’s iconic Blue Train to taking hot-air balloons over the Maasai Mara, they immersed themselves in the continent’s colours, textures, wildlife and spirit.

But this wasn’t a passive observation — it was research with a personal lens. Their adventure wasn’t just about sightseeing — it was about sourcing. Colombian emeralds and Ashoka diamonds were acquired for the collection during the trip, including the centre stones used in the Zebra suite.

Their journey became a narrative scaffold. Each chapter — from the Lion to the Baobab Tree — tells its own story. The Zebra stands out, however, not just for its contrast but for what it symbolises: movement, community, unity and dazzle by design.

Design with Depth

The Zebra suite’s glamour is underpinned by careful ethics. All pieces are created using Single Mine Origin (SMO) gold, traceable to a specific mine in Senegal. That detail matters. It means not just transparency for consumers, but dignity for miners and accountability across the supply chain.

The collection also supports Just a Drop, a water charity active across 30 African countries. With more than 380 communities reached, it’s a significant link between inspiration and reinvestment — making sure beauty isn’t a one-way transaction.

The Jewels Club’s Take

There’s a confidence to Boodles’ Zebra suite that doesn’t rely on size or sparkle alone — though it has both in abundance. What sets it apart is the clarity of the idea: graphic, minimal, and masterfully executed. The use of black enamel isn’t just decorative; it’s declarative. It sharpens every line, carves out space for the emeralds to breathe, and challenges the softness often expected of animal-inspired jewellery.

In an industry still tempted by nostalgia, this suite is a reminder that modern high jewellery doesn’t have to shout — it just needs to know exactly what it’s saying. With traceable materials, philanthropic backing and a design language that’s unafraid to be bold, the Zebra suite proves that quiet power can still turn heads.

For collectors seeking meaning beyond the carat count, this is one worth chasing.

Discover More

View the full Zebra suite and the entire Around Africa collection at boodles.com, view more on Instagram, or visit a Boodles showroom to experience it in person.

Watch more on Boodles’ YouTube and scroll the gallery below to see the Zebra suite in full detail.

Zebras in their natural habitat — masters of camouflage through contrast. Their striped pattern inspired the bold, enamelled design of Boodles’ Zebra suite