Category: Jewellery

Chaumet recreates a slice of Paris for its new Joséphine collection

As traditional jewellers to the French Royal Court, Parisian haute joaillerie house Chaumet has always been inspired by the legendary life and times of Empress Joséphine, the once-beloved wife of Emperor Napoleon.

Joséphine Collection

Emboldened by liberal movements of 18th century, Empress Joséphine cast off conventions and corsets, adopting the lightness of voiles, the theatricality of tulles and chiffons, layering them with pearl and diamond necklaces and tiaras.

Joséphine Collection

In keeping with Empress Joséphine’s trailblazing legacy, Chaumet has reinvented its iconic Joséphine collection, playing with colours and materials to create a range that is classic yet contemporary. From amethysts and citrines to peridots, aquamarines and garnets, the gemstones combine in joyous compositions with diamonds and pearls.

Joséphine Collection

To showcase the new collection, Chaumet has transformed its 1881 Heritage boutique into an intimate Parisian apartment where the very latest iconic pieces of the Joséphine collection are on display till 15 January 2019.

Joséphine Collection

Joséphine Collection at Joséphine’s Apartment by Chaumet

Dates: 26 October 2018 to 15 January 2019
Venue: Shop G17A, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road TST

Chaumet’s Les Mondes de Chaumet collection celebrates all corners of the world

Paris-headquartered haute joaillerie house Chaumet recently raised the curtains on its much-anticipated Les Mondes de Chaumet high jewellery collection in Hong Kong. Divided into three chapters, the collection takes inspiration from all corners of the world – from the winter palaces of Russia and the famous cherry blossoms of Japan to the colourful flora and fauna of Africa.

Chapter 1 – Promenades Impériales
Paying homage to Russia, the Promenades Impériales collection captures the beauty of the Siberian winter.

Chapter 2 – Chant du Printemps

The Chant du Printemps expresses the very essence of the Land of the Rising Sun, evoking its beautiful cherry blossom season while also paying tribute to its enamel art.

 

Chapter 3 – Trésors d’Afrique

 Chaumet ventures into hitherto unchartered territory with its new collection. Inspired by the works of Kenyan artist Evans Mbugua, the Trésors d’Afrique collection captures the sheer vitality of sub-Saharan Africa.

Neck’s Best Things: Our top selection of chokers to up your glam quotient

Check our our top selection of chokers sure to glam you up for the next gala or red carpet appearance:

Duallery: Transformable jewellery in haute couture

Since the early days of the last century, transformable jewellery has been the staple of many of the world’s foremost luxury brands. This has seen such luminaries as Cartier, Chaumet and Van Cleef & Arpels create some of the most technically complex items in their long histories.

Fleur Graphique necklace set with diamonds, onyx and emeralds, with black lacquer, on white gold, from which the centrepiece can be separated

While popularised in the 20th century, such items first appeared almost 100 years ago, at a time when such inventive jewellery was strictly the province of royalty. With many weighty items worn solely on specific occasions, it fell to a number of regally-approved jewellers to tweak several royal favourites, allowing them to be worn across a variety of different engagements.

The central element can be detached from the GRAFF yellow and white diamond necklace and worn as a brooch

This saw items created with mix-and-match reassembly as a fundamental part of the design. It was a conceit that was soon to enter the mainstream. With the aid of clips, clasps and brackets, today’s jewellery-adept buyers can easily transform a large item into several complementary smaller ones, frequently cross-matching them with other styles or marques.

The Piaget pendant can be worn separately as a brooch

The owners of such ubiquitous items can also rejoice in the intrinsic added value of their purchases. According to Christie’s, that most British of auctioneers, once under the gavel, such items can easily command a premium of between 20 and 30 percent more, compared to non-transformable trinkets.

Detachable pendant by Mikimoto

Given their facility for a chameleon-esque shift from mood to mood, occasion to occasion and role to role, it’s not difficult to see why the contemporary woman has such an affinity with these fluid adornments. After all, what better symbol could there for her own multi-faceted engagement with the demands of 21st century life?

Text: Hira Desai

Headless Horde: Long lost Marie Antoinette diamonds sold at auction

While Marie Antoinette, the doomed French Queen, is most famously remembered for being beheaded in 1793 after offering particularly tactless dietary advice to her starving countrymen, she should also be recalled for the splendour and range of her personal jewellery collection.

Marie Antoinette was a dedicated jewellery aficionado

Indeed, so great was her love for her various baubles and beads that, as the royal family set about dodging detention in 1791, the queen packed away her jewels in a wooden chest and sent them off to her cousin, the Austrian Emperor, for safekeeping. While Marie Antoinette herself would never lay eyes on them again, it is that very same collection that’s set to resurface at Sotheby’s in Geneva this November – after being hidden from public eye for more than 200 years.

A beautiful example of Marie Antoinette's jewels

Under the heading ‘Royal Jewels from the Bourbon-Parma Family’, the collection boasts an impressive ensemble of shiny valuables, including a pearl and diamond pendant, a necklace with 119 natural pearls and a ruby brooch – all of which have been passed down through generations of the illustrious Bourbon-Parma family, which counts Holy Roman Emperors, Popes and Emperors of France, Spain and Austria among its forbears. Posh or what.

Must-Sea: New Wave of Ocean-Inspired Jewellery

High jewellery designers have plunged into the depths of the ocean to find inspiration for a range of ocean-inspired jewellery. Be it the blue hue of the waves, the striking pattern of a ship’s anchor, the dazzling whiteness of the sands on the beach, high jewellery has been infused with all things nautical this season. Check out our top picks of maritime jewellery.

Green-eyed: Luxury accessories with an enviably natural look

It’s no secret that choosing the perfect luxury accessories can make or break your overall look. If you’re a loss for just which jewellery pieces to choose, fear not. The Gafencu style team has carefully curated a selection of the latest accessories that will surely have your friends green-eyed with envy.

Beautiful luxury accessories from Chanel

From left – Cactus de Cartier 18K yellow gold rings, necklace and earrings with precious and semi–precious gemstones and diamonds, all by Cartier

Hermes and Chopard serve up some beautiful luxury accessories

From top – Cape Cod steel watch with diamonds, Kelly Chaine yellow gold tie necklace and double tour bracelet, all by Hermes; Happy Hearts 18K rose gold rings with moving diamonds and precious stones, Happy Sport stainless steel watch with moving diamonds, all by Chopard

Necklaces and open bangles from Piaget

From left: Possession 18K pink gold necklaces and open bangles with diamonds and cabochons, all by Piaget

Watches by Piaget and accessories from Chopard

From left: Possession 18K pink gold watches with diamonds by Piaget; Happy Hearts 18K rose gold long necklace, bracelet and earrings with moving diamonds, Happy Diamonds 18K rose gold pendant with moving diamonds, all by Chopard

Van Cleef & Arpels presents an arresting array of luxury accessories

From Left: Bouton d’Or yellow gold necklace, rings and earrings; Vintage Alhambra 20-motif long necklace and 2-motif earrings, all by Van Cleef & Arpels

Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction & Styling: San Wong

A Touch of Clasp: The bejewelled brooch is back in a big way…

While, for many, the word “brooch” conjures up a rightly-lost world of coy maiden aunts with the most vanilla of embellishments pinned in one corner of a bosom-banishing blouse, this most uncouture of clothing clasps is no longer on its last gasp. Indeed, it has now become something of a badge of honour among the more fashion forward….

Whether set with diamonds or decked with sapphires, the brooch is the jewellery du jour
Whether set with diamonds or decked with sapphires, the brooch is the jewellery du jour

Actress Uma Thurman, for one, was spotted wearing a fine 1948 Cartier diamond peacock specimen at a recent ball, while the Spring/Summer 2018 runways have been awash with Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton variants of this increasingly in-vogue costume adornment. Indeed, whether pinned to a parting, nestling along the neckline or used to judiciously jazz up a jacket, brooches are clearly the jewellery du jour.

It’s an odd turnabout for an item that was initially prized more for its utility than for its aesthetic qualities. Back in the Early Bronze Age for instance, it was an essential asset when it came to locking a loose loincloth in place or reducing the potential for embonpoint embarrassment.

In contemporary couture, though, a time when cold-proofing a codpiece is no longer a priority for many designers, the once-humble brooch has taken its rightful place in the premier league of personal adornments. Let’s now pin our hopes on it staying that way.

Text: Hira Desai

Top 5 jewellery trend predictions for 2019 according to WP Diamonds

With fall on the horizon, we spoke to WP Diamonds, a leading and trusted global purchaser of diamonds, fine jewellery and luxury watches, to find out their top 5 jewellery trend predictions for 2019. 

Diamonds: Trading in smaller round and princess cuts for larger cushions and ovals cut diamonds

Top 5 jewellery trend predictions for 2019

Metals: Rose gold and yellow gold will remain the most popular

Rings: Classic solitaire settings

Rings: Classic solitaire settings

Bracelets: Mix and match stacking bracelets in white gold, yellow gold and rose gold

Bracelets: Mix and match stacking bracelets in white gold, yellow gold and rose gold

Earrings: Diamond hoops as an alternative to diamond studs

Earrings: Diamond hoops as an alternative to diamond studs

With sustainability and recycling high on the agenda the world over, start 2019 with a clean slate by having a browse through your jewellery box and make room for all the new sparkles that are to come.

Do you have any pieces that hold heavy memories but don’t wear very often, or unused pieces that you are not quite sure what to do with? Instead of stashing them in the back of your drawer, why not trade in the past for a new beginning? The cash can then be used to finance some gorgeous new pieces following the new jewellery trends.

WP Diamonds is a leading purchaser of designer jewellery, luxury watches and loose diamonds from customers across the globe.

As globally reputable buyers of diamonds, diamond jewellery, designer jewellery and luxury watches, WP Diamonds, the US-based recycled diamond company, has recently launched in Hong Kong.

Founded in 2012 by Andrew Brown, WP Diamonds is a leading purchaser of designer jewellery, luxury watches and loose diamonds from customers across the globe.

As a brand, WP Diamonds believes that the experience of selling valuable pieces should be comparable to the experience enjoyed when purchasing them. In many ways, they have single-handedly changed the reputation associated with selling pre-owned diamonds, jewellery and watches.

The trusted company’s buyers are GIA-trained gemologists using an innovative system that ensures purchasing is in real-time market pricing and delivering the greatest value for every piece.

WP Diamonds is a leading purchaser of designer jewellery, luxury watches and loose diamonds from customers across the globe.

Ensuring the highest level of service at all times, WP Diamonds has focused all of its attention on three core values: expertise, security and trust. This is demonstrated not only through their constant progression, but also through its accreditation by the top industry associations such as the Jeweller’s Vigilance Committee and British Jeweller’s Association.

With 200+ online reviews and 5-star Google+ rating, WP Diamonds remains a pioneer in the industry, making an impact on both their customers as well as the world.

Give your jewellery a second life and your jewellery box a makeover with just five easy steps online.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.wpdiamonds.hk/en/
Address: 6 Duddell Street, Suite 604, Central, Hong Kong

Bulgari’s renovated flagship boutique brings a slice of Rome to Hong Kong

Italian high jewellery brand Bulgari recently opened its renovated flagship boutique at Landmark Chater mall with much fanfare. The new design, brought to life by renowned American architect Peter Marino, is inspired by an iconic BVLGARI motif – the Tubogas. Christened Tubogas because of its resemblance to a woven-metal gas pipe, the industrial design technique has been in vogue in many of Bulgari’s watches, necklaces and bracelets, and is most recently seen in its Serpenti collection.

The opening saw Hong Kong’s movers and shakers turn up in their bejewelled best to support the maison. Guests included pop queen Sammi Cheng, actress Kara Wai, singer-actress Charlene Choi, Miss Hong Kong Pageant Grace Chan, actor Kevin Cheng, and socialites like Justin Hui, Adrienne Lim-Hui, Helen Ma, Yen Kuok, Anina Ho, Amanda Lau, Dorian Ho, Jacqueline Chow, Charles Lam, Arthur Lam, Esther Sham and many more.