Jean Schlumberger’s Bird on a Rock jewellery creations for Tiffany & Co. have become iconic. First introduced in 1965, the collection stood out immediately for its bold yet whimsical appeal. A tiny sculpted bird perched on a colourful gemstone became an unexpected expression of optimism, creativity and joy. 

Today, as Tiffany & Co. introduces its latest iterations of the line under the direction of Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille, Bird on a Rock continues to resonate with a new generation of collectors and creative thinkers. 

Art collector and curator Margo Castro is one of them. Her own journey through countries, cultures, and artistic communities feels aligned with the spirit that Schlumberger pursued through his work – to find beauty in the unexpected and to follow instinct rather than convention.

Castro’s personal story begins far from the world of gemstones and art collecting. “I was born in the Czech Republic. At 17, I moved to London to study at the University of Arts London, London College of Fashion. After my BA, I relocated to Seoul and then to Hong Kong,” she says. “I got married in the United States and lived there with my husband. Then we moved to Dubai, where we have been for three years.”

Her journey has been one of cultural discovery, each place offering a different artistic language and influence. What ties them together is curiosity, which not only led her across continents but also slowly drew her into the world of art collecting. 

“Honestly, it happened by accident. My husband and I both worked with artists in the tech space, and I was always drawn to colour and imagery. We started spending time around creative people, and suddenly, art became part of our everyday language,” she reveals. “Paintings, sketches, NFTs, and sculptures intentionally found their way into our home through acquisitions or gifts from the friends we made.”

There is a charm to her story. Nothing was planned. Nothing was driven by strategy. Instead, art entered her life through relationships, conversations, and chance encounters. Bird on a Rock was born from a similar state of discovery. 

Schlumberger often wandered the natural world in search of inspiration. He was fascinated by creatures others might overlook – sea urchins, starfish, birds with curious personalities. In the mid-sixties, when jewellery was still largely guided by tradition, he placed a small, sculpted bird directly onto an oversized gemstone. 

It was unexpected. It also carried symbolism. The bird became a reminder to view life with openness, to appreciate whimsical moments, and resist the rigid expectations of design. Over the years, Bird on a Rock has been reinterpreted by the jewellery house many times, appearing on aquamarine, amethyst, citrine and most recently, pearls. Every version offered a different expression of colour and character.

When asked for her take on the collection, Castro says she intuitively understands its meaning. “I always felt Schlumberger was a curious man,” she says. “Some of his iconic designs were born from encounters with exotic places bearing a true sense of wonder. I relate to that deeply.” Her own curiosity, shaped by years of moving across cultures, fuels how she engages with creativity. “Curiosity has become a pillar of discovery. It is what drew me to the Middle East, and I’m proud to call this incredible place my home. It also guides the way I collect. I seek pieces that challenge convention and spark imagination.”

This approach has defined her collection from the beginning. Like many emerging collectors, she once believed she needed a clear outline. But as she grew more comfortable in her creative identity, she welcomed freedom. 

“At first, we tried to define our collection, which forced it into a fixed identity. Now, when people ask what I collect, I can’t give a simple answer. I collect what resonates with me, emotionally, intellectually, or just instinctively,” Castro notes, having learned that an art collection should be a reflection of memory and emotion. “I used to think a collection needed a curatorial thesis. I’ve been asked about my thesis many times by industry professionals,” she adds. “The longer I collect, the more I see it as a diary. One that is personal, evolving, and imperfect. The collection may not be conventional, but it’s full of pieces that matter to me. They act as small anchors, holding memories and emotions in place.”

This idea of an evolving journey mirrors the evolution of Bird on a Rock itself. Over the decades, Tiffany & Co. has reimagined Schlumberger’s creation again and again. Each gemstone brings a different perspective. Each design or colour becomes a new creative expression at that moment in time. Under Nathalie Verdeille, the collection celebrates Tiffany & Co.’s extraordinary diamonds and craftsmanship while staying loyal to Schlumberger’s joyful spirit. It remains one of the House’s most beloved creations because it evokes joy, possibility and personality.

Personality is essential to Castro’s curatorial identity as well. She gravitates toward emerging voices, building relationships with artists rather than simply acquiring their work. “I collect the artists, not just the art. My collection focuses on emerging artists from our generation. I consider all artists from my collection friends and know them personally,” she says. 

This commitment goes far beyond collecting. “My involvement with artists goes far beyond acquiring their work. I see patronage as a relationship, not a transaction. It’s about showing up, building trust, and supporting their exploration, experimentation and growth.”

In many ways, this perspective echoes Schlumberger’s own. While he was celebrated for technical mastery, he was most admired for giving his creations personality. His bird was not a decorative motif. It was a character. A symbol of individuality. 

It was a reminder that joy and creativity should sit proudly on display. That same symbolism resonates with Castro. “The Bird on a Rock collection reminds me that there’s something about that view that resets everything. No noise, no rush, just space and clarity,” she says. “It reminds us that freedom isn’t about escape, it’s about perspective.”

During the MADAME Arabia shoot, she found herself connecting deeply with the pieces she wore. “During the shoot, I thought about how jewellery and photography are alike. A photograph freezes a moment, making something fleeting tangible. Schlumberger’s designs felt the same. Each piece captured an emotion, a gesture, or a fragment of imagination, like a still frame.”

“What struck me was how these pieces balance fantasy and precision,” she adds. “They reminded me why I love photography. Photography transforms small, intimate moments into the timeless. In a way, the jewellery reflected my approach to art. I seek pieces that hold moments, not literally, but emotionally, and stay after the first glance.”

Her bond with art is always emotional first. She trusts her instinct rather than relying on context or explanation. “It may sound clichéd, but I collect with my heart, not my ears,” Castro says, recalling a recent acquisition that found her unexpectedly. “Recently, I got a piece called You Can Find Me in the Barzakh of the Sea. I don’t speak Arabic, so I didn’t know its meaning until a curator friend shared it with me. The Barzakh is the space between life and death. The artwork was hidden in a box, yet it found me. I felt an instant connection. It reflects what I’ve been experiencing this year.”

Her creative ethos feels grounded in elevating others, offering them the visibility and encouragement they need. “I’ve always felt a strong urge to create,” Castro shares. “Looking back, I see I am better at working with artists and giving them a platform. It’s similar to what Schlumberger did with the Bird on a Rock. He didn’t just design a piece – he gave a fragile creature a kind of immortality. He lifted it up and placed it in a world where it could be seen, admired, and truly remembered.”

When she speaks to the next generation of collectors, her advice mirrors the spirit of Schlumberger himself. “I want to share a message with young collectors. Collecting isn’t that serious unless you’re building a foundation or a private museum,” she explains. “Have fun with it! Be curious! And if the experience starts revolving too much around numbers or trends, it’s usually a sign to pause and reconnect with the artists themselves.”

Castro, like Bird on a Rock, embraces the idea that creativity is meant to feel alive and to reflect personality and emotion rather than perfection. Her journey continues to unfold as a living archive of the moments, friendships and discoveries that fill her world with meaning.

Cover photo: The art curator looks elegant in Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock by Tiffany with a mini brooch & ring in platinum and yellow gold with a fancy intense yellow diamond.
Her outfit is by Tory Burch.