Gala Gems: What to wear to your next black-tie affair

A single strand of pearls might suffice for a stuffy banquet, but more opulent occasions call for jewellery that rises to the task. If you have a gala coming up and aren’t sure how to accessorise your gown, the latest high jewellery collections from top labels promise to provide ample inspiration.

Created in collaboration with Chinese designer Guo Pei, Chopard’s Silk Road Collection fuses Eastern elegance with European charm. One standout necklace features 105 carats worth of pear-shaped emeralds, surrounded by tourmalines and brilliant-cut diamonds. The contrast of the rich emerald green with the dazzle of the white diamonds is bound to make any ensemble pop.

Chaumet is also seeing green with its Pastorale Anglaise earrings. Launched as part of the brand’s Chaumet est une Fête Collection – an ode to extravagant celebrations – the dangle earrings are fashioned out of white and yellow gold, and set with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. The vibrant, geometric design is modelled after the Scottish tartan print.

Another soiree-inspired range – albeit Italian, not French – is Bulgari’s Festa collection. According to the designer, “Festas (parties) happen everywhere in Italy and are the essence of the Italian way of life.” What better way to celebrate than with pearls, sapphires and diamonds? The Festa delle Principesse necklace boasts three strands of pearls and has two bows on each side – a tribute to Italian Queen Margherita of Savoy, who loved wearing bows, the region’s symbol.

For something whimsical, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Le Secret Collection takes a page from mythical and magical stories. Its Secret des Amoureux clip – a bow-and-arrow-shaped medley of diamonds, three kinds of gold and coloured sapphires – pays homage to Cupid, the Roman god of love.
Whether you go with something dazzlingly bold or more demure, there’s no denying that these jewellery pieces put the joie – or joy – in haute joaillerie.