Continue the journey
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Lots of love!
Mei and Benjamin
Brigadeiro Ring
Brazil Collection
Inspiration: Brigadeiro chocolate
Materials: Gold, glossy brown cabochon, small dark gemstones
Craft Detail: Chocolate-crumb cluster detailing
Region: Widely made across Brazil
Dish Profile: Sweet, smooth, rich
Inspiration
The design is inspired by brigadeiro, a Brazilian chocolate confection known for its glossy surface and fine crumb coating. The sweet is traditionally made by mixing cocoa, condensed milk, and butter until the mixture reaches a thick, smooth consistency, then rolled and finished with chocolate sprinkles. These characteristics informed the ring’s construction: the domed brown cabochon mirrors the confection’s smooth sheen, while the cluster of small dark gemstones reflects the texture and density of the chocolate crumbs. Since brigadeiro is made in homes, bakeries, and celebrations across Brazil, the designers referenced its widely recognized appearance to ensure the piece remained visually accurate while still refined.
Discovery
Mei and Benjamin observed brigadeiros during a hands-on visit to a small confectionery workshop, where a cook demonstrated the rolling process and the importance of timing for achieving the signature glossy finish. Mei focused on the immediate visual shift that occurs when the mixture cools, while Benjamin studied how the chocolate crumbs cluster in triangular groupings along the surface. They translated these details into jewellery by testing different cabochon domes for reflectivity and arranging gemstone “crumbs” using spacing patterns recorded in Mei’s sketches.
Travel Diary
During one workshop session, a confectioner showed the travelers a simple tool used to portion brigadeiro mix consistently — a detail Mei later referenced for determining gemstone size ratios. On another afternoon, they encountered a regional variation with darker cocoa, which led them to adjust the final cabochon tone.
Where we find our Jewellery inspiration
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