He sees it as central to his craft to know gemstones intimately, as individual personalities. He begins by selecting stones that are very distinct, both in character and in the extraordinary way they are cut.

Peter looks carefully at each stone, feeling it in his hands and listening to it tell him how it wants to be presented – how he can help it become truly alive. Then he takes time to carefully set the stones in ways that intensify their sparkle, brilliance and luminous colors, or highlight their specific structure. By working in this way he may turn an individual stone into a brilliant star, or help it take its place in a dialogue with other unique stones, each of which enhances the allure of the other. Every stone and every piece has its own distinct story.

This is the time when some inkling, idea or inspiration convinces Peter that it’s time to put a particular stone to work in a specific piece of purpose-designed jewelry, so it can leave his collection to join that of a client. Indeed, many of Atelier Zobel’s clients are passionate collectors who enjoy owning and treasuring his jewelry creations just as much as they relish wearing them.