Category: Jewellery

Pink Diamond Feud: Giant pink diamond amps up multi-carat competition

In a move that must surely sour the day of the cash-flashers over at Harry Winston, their relatively recent claim to pink diamond supremacy already looks a little dated. Indeed, even though the eminent New York-headquartered jewellery house only secured the genuinely magnifico Winston Pink Legacy diamond a few short months ago, it is now set to be eclipsed by Graff Jewellers, with their London-based rival having unveiled the arguably-even-more-magnifico Graff Lesotho Pink.

The 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy pink diamond ring
The 18.96-carat Winston Pink Legacy pink diamond ring

Although a little lower on the carat count – 13.33 carats compared to Harry Winston’s 18.96 carats – with a price tag of US$8,750,360, the Graff gem wins out on the all-important per-carat price scale.

The newly-discovered 13.33-carat Graff Lesotho Pink
The newly-discovered 13.33-carat Graff Lesotho Pink

It would, however, seem that Graff’s long-term pink diamond victory is far from assured, with rumours already swirling that yet grander pinkly perfect specimens are set to be unearthed in Lesotho, the southern African nation that has become the goto source for such salmonesque stones. If that’s borne out, it could be that this latest spate of pink one-upmanship could, indeed, run and run.

Diamond Wings: Fly high with these luxury fantasy jewellery pieces

Luxury Fantasy Jewellery Pieces

Summer is the perfect time to say goodbye to the office, and venture deep into the jungles. However, if the humid temperatures and slew of wild animals have you feeling a bit too cautious to swing on vines or wrestle a crocodile or two, perhaps a bringing the adventure home is in your best interest. Inspired by the wild birds of the amazon and the botanical wonders of the rain forest, haute joaillerie houses such as Chopard and Mabros are here to make your fantasies real, and liven up your accessory game with the wonders of an enchanting forest.

Cartier celebrates COLORATURA collection with two VIP galas at Rosewood

In celebration of the Hong Kong launch of its all-new COLORATURA collection, luxury jewellery label Cartier hosted not one but two gala dinners at the exclusive Rosewood Hong Kong last weekend. This was in addition to a five-day exhibition showcasing the new 450 designs – said to be valued at over HK$1.6 billion in total – at the same venue.

Models at Cartier's COLORATURA VIP gala in Hong Kong

Over the course of two nights (3 and 4 May), Nigel Luk, Regional Managing Director for Cartier North Asia, welcomed the crème de la crème of Hong Kong society to partake of the joyous celebration. The first night saw such notable guests as Pansy Ho, Cathy Lee, Brigitte Lin, Claudine Ying, Eileen Ying, Rosamund Kwan, Qin Lan, Irene Lee, Charles Ho, Adrian Cheng, Ming and Sherman Tang, Sharon and Alain Li, Janice and Louis Choy, Anne & Julian Liu, Helen and Rock Chen, Antonia Li, Jacqueline Sun and Benedict Sin.

Meanwhile, the second evening’s guest list included Laurinda Ho, Kathy and Julien Lepeu, Reggie and Ronald Kwok, Miki and Edwin Kwok, Veronica and Steve Loman, Charmaine Ho, Antonia Da Cruz, Anina Ho, Alison Chan, Su Mang, Helena and Benedict Sin and Christopher Sin.

Cartier’s new COLORATURA collection takes its name from a 16th-century Italian word that signifies a highly virtuoso style of music, which in turn is derived from the Latin word for ‘colour’. In line with this, the beautiful array of haute joaillerie encompasses the vibrant colours of India, the subtle palettes of Japan or the staccato shades of Africa. To catch your own glimpse of the glamorous gala proceedings, check out the video below. Or, to find out more about the new collection, visit http://www.cartier.hk.

Rubies: Precious stone provenance is key to not being a ruby rube

While diamonds have long been said to be a girl’s best friend, it is the far rarer rubies that are now being seen as true objets de désir, both as alluring scarlet-hued adornments and as coveted collectors’ items.

Chopard Magical Setting ruby & diamond ring

Proving their desirability in the haute joaillerie market, one ring-set ruby– the Maniraja, unearthed from a legendary Myanmarese mine and weighing in at a colossal 13.26 carats – sold for a whopping HK$81.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong a few years ago.

King Fook Jewellery ruby and diamond necklace

While its sky-high price may seem astonishing, it is worth bearing in mind that rubies command the highest per-carat price of any coloured gemstone. In fact, their precise colour is a hugely important factor in their value – the deeper the hue, the more coveted the ruby, with the exact shade of the very finest variety being somewhat unpleasantly likened to “the blood of a freshly-killed pigeon”.

Bina Goenka X Gemfields earrings

More recently, their rarity and the continued growth in demand have led to inferior lab-created alternatives being ever more widely available. Sounding a word of warning in this regard, Elena Basaglia, manager of Gemfields, a London-based gemstone supplier, said: “Lab-created rubies have a very similar look to the natural ones and it is very difficult to differentiate between the two, especially with an untrained eye. As a result, it’s essential to check the provenance of any rubies you may buy. Ideally, purchase only from trusted outlets, allowing you to be sure both that it has been sourced responsibly and that they are of the stated quality.”

Nuò by Cindy Yeung Majestic Collection white gold necklace, earrings and ring

She adds: “Since production began at Gemfields’ operated ruby mine in Mozambique, the supply of responsibly sourced, high-quality rubies has become more dependable, allowing jewellers more freedom to create ruby jewellery, inspiring consumers and meeting the increased demand for these exquisite gemstones.”

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Cartier launches HK debut of all-new COLORATURA collection

Long lauded as one of the pre-eminent purveyors of haute joaillerie designs, luxury label Cartier has raised the bar for high-end bejewelled accessories even higher with the Hong Kong launch of its all-new COLORATURA collection.

Cartier Coloratura Collection 1

Said to be driven by a universal curiosity, the 450 pieces that comprise the new collection have been inspired from all four corners of the globe, be it the vibrant colours of India, the subtle palettes of Japan or the staccato shades of Africa. Heralded as a true celebration of diversity, it offers an expansive array of precious gemstones set in intricate designs that are dynamic, vibrant and a true sensorial exploration and celebration of colour.

Cartier Coloratura Collection 2

To introduce its adoring legion of local fans to its COLORATURA creations, Cartier is hosting a grand exhibition at the ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotel Hong Kong from now until 5 May. The showcase will also afford attendees an opportunity to experience first-hand the precious objects from its Cartier Tradition Collection, Cartier Fine Watchmaking Collection and Panthère de Cartier high jewellery pieces.

What’s more, on the evenings of May 3rd and 4th, Cartier will invite a veritable who’s-who of Hong Kong’s high society to partake in a special viewing of the spectacular COLORATURA collection with not one but two Gala Dinners. To catch a sneak peek of this stunning high jewellery line, check out the video below…

                        

Mother’s Day Gifts: The perfect prezzies for mum this Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day just a few weeks away, there’s no better time to pick out something truly special to show your appreciation and love for the special lady parent in your life. Whether she’s a fashionista, a lady on-the-go, or simply a matriarch in need of some pampering, there’s something in our round-up of the top Mother’s Day gifts for every modern woman.  

for mom

Piaget

For sons and daughters who are really looking to shine in the gift-giving department this year, the Dazzling & Elegant Creations timepieces from Piaget are sure to be winners. Most notable within the collection is the Limelight Gala watch, a charming new timepiece which features over 62 brilliant-cut diamonds. Depending on mum’s personal style, you can opt for 18K pink gold or 18K white gold options too.

for mom

RIMOWA

There’s no better way to show mum you appreciate her and miss her than by gifting her with the latest Essential Check-In M by German luxury travel accessories label RIMOWA, the world’s first-ever polycarbonate suitcase. Designed to provide the best in high-tech functionality, its strong, durable and lightweight feel is sure to impress, and may just have your mother flying over to express her thanks in person. 

for mom

Aēsop

If you’re planning a family getaway, then perhaps the new Departure and Arrival Kit from luxury Australian skincare brand Aēsop would be the superb gift to making mum’s travel plans that much easier. Inside this ultimate travel companion kit is a carefully-curated and convenient selection from the company’s skin, body and personal care ranges. Created to provide skin hydration and rejuvenation to travellers during journeys near and far, it’s pretty much guaranteed to have your mother stepping out of any plane with her best face forward.

for mom

Delvaux

Mothers are kind of infamous for hauling purses around that are bigger than their children, and really, who can blame them? Motherhood requires an abundance of pockets, often three sets of hands and enough space to store a wallet, tablet, phone, tissues or Kindle. However, Delvaux‘s new Brilliant Mini is here to let her forget all that, even if just for the night, as this particular miniature purse is the perfect size for packing only the essentials and looking good while she’s at it. All in all, it’s a bag that encourages her to leave the rest at home, and enjoy her night out on the town.

Perrier-Jouët

Champagne was once exclusively the drink of choice for royalty, so what better way to show your appreciation than by gifting the Queen in your life with a delicious bottle of Perrier-Jouët. Undoubtedly the perfect companion to any brunch-in-bed surprise, this flowery aroma’d champagne contains notes of white flowers, almonds, honey and yellow fruits. Yum.

 

for mom

Maison Margiela

For something as sweet but equally as complex as mum, you can’t go wrong with Maison Margelia‘s Mutiny perfume. The bottle contains hints of mandarin oil, pink pepper and saffron, and is said to leave its wearer with a warm yet powerful scent, which is an apt tribute to the loving hands that guided your childhood.

Malone Souliers

We all know that between juggling work with a husband, kids, pets and a plethora of social engagements could have mum quite literally wearing her soles out. Luckily, British footwear brand Malone Souliers has introduced a new shoe that perfectly blends form with function for her – the Maureen Mules. These raffia pointed-toe wonders will certainly help guide her in the right direction while keeping her stylish every step of the way. Moreover, the shoes have been praised for their comfort and durability, thanks to their rubber heel patch, and smooth leather straps.

Right dangle: Drop earrings to complement your summer-wear

 With the long summer months stretching before us, it’s high time to get our summer ensemble in order. And, if the latest collections from the high-fashion houses are anything to go by, no such ensemble can be thought to be complete without drop earrings – the latest flavour of the season.

drop earrings

But, popular as they are in contemporary couture, drop earrings originated at least 5000 years ago, in 2500BC when ancient Sumerian women first started wearing gold hoops. However, it was only in the Middle Ages that diamonds and other gemstones came to be used as embellishments in drop earrings. Today, however, no material or motif seems too outré for these drop-dead gorgeous danglers, as designers use everything from feathers and faux leather to crystals and tassels with equal aplomb.

drop earrings

So be it a neutral linen pant suit or a maxi floral dress, add a bright, tropical vibe to your summer-wear with these most beautiful of baubles. Check out our gallery for our selection of drop earrings to complement your every mood.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Quirky jewellery: Ornamentation experimentation to the maximum

There’s something about spring that brings out our fun, funky sides. Keeping with our mood, there is a whole new range of quirky jewellery from the haute joaillerie houses across the world that promises to make a ‘oh-so-fun’ statement. Inspired by anything and everything, be it the outer space or the hidden recesses of Africa, these jewellery are unapologetically outré and out of this world. Check out our favourite quirky jewellery items this season.

Otherwise Engaged: Modern engagement rings for the New Age bride

Across sundry countries and cultures, if there’s one thing that’s almost as ubiquitous as marriage, it’s the gifting of an engagement ring to the bride-to be. It’s a tradition that can be traced back more than 2,000 years, with the ancient Romans slipping betrothal rings on to the fingers of their prospective spouses, more to ensure they weren’t gazumped by a passing legionnaire than out of any genuinely romantic impulse. In fact, it wasn’t until the 15th century that any true sentiment surfaced, when both English and French beaus began presenting their beloveds with ‘posie’ rings – gold bands adorned with amorous entreaties.

Engagement rings

Diamonds, however, made their debut later still. It wasn’t actually until well into the 20th century that a demure damsel could expect her dainty digit to be multi-carat-clad as proof positive of her intended’s intentions. Following De Beers’ famous 1947 slogan “Diamonds are Forever”, the celebrity engagement rings of that era – from Mia Farrow’s 9-carat pear-shaped diamond ring to Elizabeth Taylor’s 29.4-carat emerald-cut diamond solitaire – fuelled the fantasies of even the least avaricious brides-to-be and are now the stuff of legend.

Indeed, it has taken a further 70 years for ring-mounted rocks to become a little passé in the ostentatious wooing stakes. More contemporary couplings now require nothing less than the likes of halo settings, multi-stone effects and the finest gems fancily cut. Appropriately enough in the digital age, it’s now fair to say that every bride-to-be is definitely free to set her own ring tone.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Dark matter: Is black pearl a hidden treasure in the world of jewellery?

While white pearls are adored and admired the world over for their pristine beauty, their darker cousin, the black pearl, is a much rarer natural phenomenon. While mythology in the French Polynesia has it that a local god came down from the heavens to bestow the first black pearls on a favoured princess, the reality is far more prosaic.

black pearl

In fact, naturally-occurring black pearls start to grow just like their white counterparts. When an irritant – like sand particles – enters an oyster’s body, it coats it in a layer of calcium carbonate to ease of its discomfort. This then evolves into a pearl, when hardened. The black colour of the pearl, then, depends on the nature of oyster itself – if the oyster is a dark-lipped variety, the pearl forming near the black band takes after its dark hue.

However, what makes black pearls so extremely rare is that dark-lipped oysters themselves are only found in two regions – in French Polynesia, from where black Tahitian pearls are derived, and in Guyamas, Mexico, the place of origin of Sea of Cortez black pearls. Black Akoya and black freshwater pearls can also be found in some cases, but they are most often colour-treated to enhance their dark glow. Check out the gallery below to appreciate some of the black pearl high jewellery pieces from our favourite brands:

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay 
Photo credit: Sami Sarkis