Something About Rocks Summer 2026

Left - Aidan Turner cover shot by Pip Below - VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Perlée Extraordinaire Fruits Enchantés Framboise watch in 18K rose gold and diamonds shot by Coppi Barbieri Time marks the moments that matter. While a watch simply measures them, our jewellery captures those unique occasions, the celebrations, the milestones and the memories that we choose to hold onto. This issue’s cover star Aidan Turner returns to our screens this summer in Disney’s season two of Rivals, the much-anticipated continuation of the hit adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s famously scandalous novel. He’s also appearing on stage at London’s National Theatre in Les Liaisons Dangereuses alongside Lesley Manville, in a modern new adaptation that also stars Monica Barbaro. For our shoot, which was photographed after rehearsals late one weekday evening…

Jewellery historian Vivienne Becker extolls the virtue and virtuosity of jewellery watches, the ultimate expression of the preciousness of time. I have said it before, I know, but when it comes to watches and writing about them, it’s still beauty before brains for me. A year or so on from my stint as a judge at the prestigious GPHG, (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, where I learnt so much) I still tend to drift off, into daydreams, during explanations of the intricacies of horological marvels. Although I can say, with no small amount of pride, that I do now get that it’s all about absolute precision, balancing the vagaries of gravity, adjusting to time zones, tracking the moon phases, counting nano-seconds, measuring ocean depths, and so much more than I…

Aidan Turner talks to Elizabeth Aubrey about the return of 'Rivals', getting back into theatre and the preciousness of family time Photography: Pip Creative direction: Tim Holloway Styling: Gareth Scourfield "It's just a complete joy to film Rivals" Shirt and linen suit, DOLCE& GABBANA, 18K yellow gold Zodiaque pendant, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS. Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch in pink gold, VACHERON CONSTANTIN   Aidan Turner remembers his first day on the set of Rivals well. He was filming an opulent party scene for episode three when actress Victoria Smurfit, who plays his wife Maud on the show, made quite the entrance. "I was the last actor in on set: they'd been shooting for about a month when I joined for the first series," he explains, saying he was finishing…

Inspired by her family’s weaving heritage, Megan Brown transforms gold and silver thread into sculptural jewels that feel like silk It’s fair to say that crafting natural materials into wearable works of art is something that comes naturally to Megan Brown. Now based in central London, the jeweller originally hails from North Yorkshire, where her family runs Alfred Brown Ltd., a textile mill that was founded in 1915 by her great-great-grandfather, Herbert Brown. One of the last UK mills in continuous production, the firm has manufactured worsted fabrics for Savile Row tailors, designer houses like Prada and Saint Laurent, and even films such as Indiana Jones and the Harry Potter franchise. “I have such strong memories of going to the mill after school, to visit my dad at work,” recalls…

Elsa Schiaparelli’s whimsical designs and boundary-pushing jewellery collaborations challenged convention and cemented her fame. Today, her fantastical vision inspires countless contemporary makers and is the focus of an exciting new exhibition in London. Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí in 1949 - Credit: Archives Snark Elsa Schiaparelli was the champion of shocking pink, architectural tailoring and surrealist accessories. In 1934, Harper’s Bazaar pronounced her to be “the most daring and original talent in the dressmaking world.” According to Cristobal Balenciaga, she was “The only real artist in the couture,” whilst Yves Saint Laurent observed that when she died aged 83 in 1973, “chic closed her eyes…” Such plaudits from her peers illustrate the legendary status of the couturier, who founded her own maison in 1927 (despite having no formal training) and…

Whether navigating the roof of the world or capturing cover-worthy images of the power of nature, explorer Cory Richards truly understands that every second counts.   Adventure has shaped every part of Cory Richards’ career. A mountaineer, photographer and storyteller, the iconic American explorer has spent much of his life travelling to some of the world’s most remote and unforgiving landscapes, documenting both the physical and emotional realities of exploration. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Richards first rose to prominence in the mountaineering world for his groundbreaking ascents, including becoming one of the first Americans to summit Gasherbrum II – an 8,035-metre peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range – in the winter of 2011. The expedition, completed without supplemental oxygen, is still regarded as one of the toughest winter climbs…