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New York, NY—At a gala launch of its new Black Label Diamond collection, Forevermark tapped artist Angie Crabtree (left) to magnify the brilliance and symmetry of the diamonds on canvas.

Black Label is Forevermark’s new generation of diamonds, cut with supreme symmetry and accuracy to release light unlike other stones. The Forevermark Black Label Collection includes round, square, cushion, oval and heart shaped diamonds that exhibit maximum fire, brilliance and scintillation.

Crabtree paints diamond facets enlarged more than 1,000 times. Ranging from 24 inches to 64 inches tall, her paintings’ large scale allows viewers to experience the gems in an up-close and personal way. Working in oils on canvas, she uses a classical glazing technique to create a stained-glass effect, reminiscent of 17th century royalty portraiture. Titled with women’s names, each piece is created like a portrait, varying in cut, color, and size. Using symmetry and repetition, the kaleidoscopic shapes suggest a hypnotic brilliance similar to the real thing. Although she bases her paintings on macro photos of real gemstones, Crabtree’s focus remains on the patterns to create a mandala-like effect.

Crabtree’s fascination with diamonds evolved from an interest in pop culture and luxury. Painting since the age of four, she grew up in rural Northern California with limited exposure to luxury goods. Studying art in college in San Francisco, she began noticing fashion trends, which inspired work based on materialism and nature. She found herself mesmerized with the diamond’s beautiful geometry and began researching their history. Captivated by both their controversy and allure, Crabtree created her first diamond series inspired by the classic slogan “A Diamond is Forever.” 

At the event on Wednesday evening at Cedar Lake in New York City, Crabtree was on site to do a live painting, mingle with guests, and sell her work. This also marks the first time she is painting on custom shaped canvases, reflecting the Forevermark Black Label emphasis on shape.

In addition to her own work, Crabtree creates commissioned pieces using gems from clients’ personal collections. Her paintings are represented in private and corporate collections worldwide. To see more of her work, visit angiecrabtree.com