Category: Jewellery

Old is Gold: Five amazingly long-lived institutions you can still visit today

Everyone knows about the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Wall of China, but do you know where the world’s oldest hotel is located? Fancy grabbing a bite at the world’s oldest restaurant? Where can you find the oldest teahouse in the world? We’ve got all the answers.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

Nestled in the lush forests of Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture, the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan resort was founded in 705AD. Despite the rabid modernisation outside, this 1,312-year-old resort continues to be a tranquil oasis for world-weary guests with picturesque hot springs and fantastic natural scenery.

St. Peter Stiftskulinarium

Salzburg isn’t just the birthplace of Mozart, it’s also home to the oldest restaurant in the world. The first mention of St Peter Stiftskulinarium was recorded in 803 by a vassal of Emperor Charlemagne. But don’t expect any cracks or wrinkles here. Despite being over 12 centuries old, St Peter Stiftskulinarium remains one of Salzburg’s most sought after fine dining venues.

Torrini Firenze

Sitting in the shadows of Florence’s famed Duomo monument is a small jewellery shop named Torrini Firenze. Don’t let the unassuming façade fool you, at 648 years old, this is the oldest goldsmith in the world. Run by the same family since its foundation in 1369, all pieces remain handmade to this day.

Tsuen Tea

Tea culture is an integral part of Japanese heritage, so it comes as no surprise that it hosts the world’s oldest teahouse. Tsuen Tea was built in 1160 near Kyoto’s Uji Bridge. Now run by the 24th generation of Tsuens, this 857-year-old teahouse has served luminaries such as legendary shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

University of al-Qarawiyyin

Forget about Oxford and Cambridge, the world’s oldest university actually resides in Fez, Morocco! Founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is not only the longest continually-operating educational institution, it was the first to award degrees to its pupils. Now over 1,150 years old, it is remains part of Morocco’s state university system to this day.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

Silver Lining: Gafencu’s tips to shine brighter this fall

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Every fashionista knows that selecting the right accessories can lift your outfit to new heights, but now Gafencu shows you how to shine even brighter no matter which look you choose.  

Get groovy with Saint Laurent‘s heart-shaped shades and sky-high sparkling platform wedges from Christian Louboutin. Channel a bit of ‘70s-style disco fever with Giuseppe Zanotti Design’s Luce boots and Jimmy Choo’s Cloud evening clutch. Or go futuristic with Swarovski’s Hologram crystal necklace and the geometrically dazzling Sr1 moccasins by Sergio Rossi.

Need more inspiration? Check out our video above!

Chopard is a click closer now, thanks to Net-A-Porter

Eyeing the Happy Diamonds collection from Chopard? It’s even easier to get hold of your favourite piece of jewellery now, with Chopard launching on global luxury online retailer, Net-A-Porter, earlier this month.

Talking about the partnership, Chopard’s co-president Caroline Scheufele says, “Chopard is proud to work alongside such an influential retailer and looks forward to what will no doubt be a great success!”

Featuring an array of lighthearted jewellery in 18-carat rose and white gold, including Chopard’s iconic Happy Hearts range, the collection on Net-A-Porter boasts some of Chopard’s most easily recognisable pieces worldwide.

In the watch section, Net-A-Porter also features one of Chopard’s bestsellers, the Happy Sport watch. Combining steel and moving diamonds in an elegant design, this watch has already won the hearts of Chopard loyalists across the globe.

Net-A-Porter’s Global Buying Director Elizabeth Von Der Goltz is obviously delighted at this collaboration. She said, “Net-A-Porter is thrilled to be launching a truly exquisite collection from an iconic house. Chopard’s signature Happy Diamonds is the playful and innovative core of its jewellery and watches collection. We expect the brand to become an instant hit with our customers globally.”

Dotty over Spots: Circle, circle, dot, dot – get set for your glamour shot

Since the dawn of time, people have associated the ubiquitous circle with objects of beauty, wonderment and perfection – a full moon, the human eye, the Olympic flag, the Yin and Yang symbol. Small wonder that this humble shape has inspired countless designers to create similarly timeless yet forward-thinking objects, especially in the world of haute joaillerie.

Running the gamut from rings to necklaces, Christian Dior’s new Rose Des Vents Collection is a celebration of the Normandy designer’s favourite symbol – a delicately encircled eight-point star. The Breastplaster, arguably highlighting this new collection, features a constellation of double-sided medallions.

On one side, monsieur Dior’s star (often referred to as “the traveller’s symbol”) is displayed. On the other, precious stones such as diamond, turquoise, malachite and mother-of-pearl have been carefully curated by Parisian jeweller Victoire de Castellane.

For the vivacious extrovert, Palmiero’s Bubble Collection is sure to appeal. With their bulbous and multi-faceted design, even the smallest items in the collection – such as the colourful 18-carat diamond rings – are sure to make a bold statement. Displaying shimmering and deeply saturated colours of marine and amber, the dotty designs are also spectacularly sea-inspired.

Watch lovers keen to inject a modicum of circular style into their accessories need look no further than Piaget’s new Couture Précieuse. Powered by the 56P quartz movement, this white gold wonder tells discrete time via a clean indexless dial. Where are the dots and spots? In a lattice of 176 brilliant-cut diamonds, all interlinked to form the watch’s cuff-like fastening.

Whether you prefer your circles prominently displayed or subtly referenced, the shape’s timelessness makes it suitable for any occasion.

Annie Tse on giving up her IT career to run one of HK’s finest jewellery giants

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Annie Yau Tse is the chairman and chief executive officer of Tse Sui Luen Jewellery (TSL), one of Asia’s largest jewellers.

 You haven’t always worked in jewellery. What did you do early on in your career?

I studied computer engineering in college. I’m a very analytical and logical person, and I like math and science. After graduating, I worked in a software company for a few years in the States. Later, I moved back to Hong Kong and began working for Motorola, then for IBM as an IT consultant.

I enjoyed being part of the IT industry because it’s such an innovative environment. It exposed me to many new concepts and people. It’s quite different from jewellery, but I’m trying to incorporate the lessons I learnt from IT into my current role.

When you joined TSL in 2002, was it a big change for you?

Not too much. Although I had never worked in jewellery before, I got married to jewellery, so to speak. When I initially began dating my husband [Tommy Tse, son of TSL founder Tse Sui Luen], I spent a lot of time at TSL shops listening to him, talking to staff and learning how to do business.

By the time I joined the company, I already knew a lot about the trade. At that time I had been married six years, and my husband and I often talked about business at home. Even when I wasn’t with TSL, my husband liked to share his views with me and get my opinion on products as a consumer.

Was it your plan from the beginning to work together?

Not really. Originally we didn’t want to work together because we didn’t want to bring business back home. My husband told me that as a child he would see his parents arguing about business over the dining table. He wanted us to avoid that kind of conflict. Besides, we both enjoyed our own careers – me in IT and him in jewellery.

When did the turnaround happen?

I changed my mind when I saw him struggling. Like me, he studied in the States, and then worked for Johnson & Johnson. Being on the manufacturing side, he was used to a certain kind of technology and way of doing things. He was trained in material planning systems and wanted to introduce that expertise back into his family business. He was trying to implement those ideas – which were new here 30 years ago – but people around him were far from ready. They didn’t understand what he was trying to achieve.

Whenever he came home and aired those concerns, I thought, ‘How can I help him?’ In time, it occurred to me to offer my help, even though that meant risking future arguments.

Surprisingly, he was receptive. As Christians, we tried to discern what God wanted us to do. The more we prayed, the more at peace we felt about working together. After mulling it over for a couple months, I quit my job and joined TSL.

How do you navigate the road bumps of working together as husband and wife?

Of course we argue from time to time about the other’s way of doing things, but in the end we love each other so much. Love can help us overcome all problems.

I enjoy and treasure the experience because it lets me see the unity between myself and my husband. Even though we don’t take the same path to achieve something, we have the same destination.

We also try to avoid talking about business at home and focus on our children instead. If we do have arguments, they end in the conference room.

You’re the youngest member and one of two women on a board of seven. Is it challenging being in the minority?

I think it’s perfectly fine. Being in charge as a woman even has its advantages in a jewellery company. I can try on the jewellery and be a model for the brand! I am well respected by my husband, colleagues and friends, as well as the other directors when we’re meeting in the boardroom. I do, however, have privileges as the owner’s wife, and of course people have no choice but to respect me [laughs]. Kidding aside, so far I only see advantages, and it helps that I actually wear the product.

What advice do you have for other aspiring career women?

I think you just need to work wholeheartedly. I devote a lot of time to something I want to achieve and give 100 percent. If people around you see you putting in time and effort, you naturally gain respect. But if you take shortcuts and evade responsibility, then of course you lose credibility. It’s about accountability, responsibility and working at things with all your heart.

Are you grooming your children to take over TSL one day?

I wouldn’t force them to, but I really hope they will. I respect them as individuals, and if they have talent in certain areas, I wouldn’t force them to give that up. My eldest daughter’s dream is to be a medical doctor. She’s now studying biochemistry in the States, and wants to come back to help people. Of course, I hope she’ll ultimately come back to the family business, but if she’s determined to pursue her dream, I will be there to support her.

My younger daughter is talented in art and design, and I believe there might be an opportunity for her to work on TSL’s core products. We really need someone who is creative. Thankfully, she’s open to getting involved. My youngest child likes sports but is still too young to decide what he wants to do.

What does the future hold for the company?

I really want to bring TSL into a new era. Nowadays women are looking for practicality, even when choosing fine jewellery. In Hong Kong it’s too segmented – people look at fine jewellery as a valuable item that you need to spend a lot of money on. On the other hand, there are non-precious metals or stones that you can buy very cheaply. I want us to strike a balance and bring fine jewellery to the mass market in a real way.

We are also focusing on developing our business in China. In 2014 we started franchising in the mainland. That market has been our growth engine since the early 2000s, especially since Hong Kong has taken a hit in recent years. We would like to expand into Southeast Asia as well.

Thank you.

Text by: Julienne C. Raboca
Photos by: Neville Lee
Art Direction: San Wong
Hair & Makeup: Chris Yu @ Morphologique
Venue: Fantastic Suite & Kitchen at W Hotel

Diamond Daze: Stunning necklace unveiled by De GRISOGONO

Italian high jewellery atelier De GRISOGONO created some serious shockwaves when they unveiled the highly anticipated “The Art of De GRISOGONO” necklace at Christie’s Hong Kong.

Set in an elegant swirl of emeralds and diamonds, the necklace’s stunning centrepiece is a staggering 163.41-carat flawless D-colour emerald-cut white diamond.

Already gargantuan in size, the stone was cut down from a mind-bogglingly large 404.20-carat rough diamond mined by Nemesis International in Angola.

De GRISOGONO founder Fawaz Gruosi snuck in a second surprise reveal – an elegant diamond-studded black bracelet into which the large gem can also be socketed.

Gruosi shared, “In my entire 40 years in this business, I even imagined that I would have the chance to hold in my hand something so beyond beauty.”

The Art of De GRISOGONO necklace and bracelet are set to tour London, Dubai and New York before heading to Christie’s Geneva in November for auction. Keep your eyes peeled, there may be some records broken that day!

Text by: Tenzing Thondup 

Glitterati spotted at dazzling exhibition by Larry Jewelry and Marvella

Asia-based jewellery maison, Larry Jewelry, and French fine jewellery and watch brand, Marvella, recently came together to host a joint exhibition in which they displayed the choicest selection from their high jewellery and watch collections.

The collections of the two houses complemented each other in a harmonious way, as both brands are united by a common thread of skilled craftsmanship and elegant designs.

While Larry Jewelry showcased its dazzling diamond collection, Marvella displayed some unique watches from its Blanc de Blanc, Jardin and other collections.

A bunch of socialites turned up at the venue to show their support for the brands. Familiar faces included Real Ting, Ruby Lam, Michelle Chua, James Shing, Kirk Yip, Amanda Lui, among others.

Poetry in Precious Stones: Palmiero’s jewellery tells a unique story

Luca Palmiero, Palmiero’s executive vice president, was recently in Hong Kong to unveil a new collection of bespoke high jewellery exclusively available at Masterpiece by King Fook. Luca talked to us about how the family-run business set up by his father, Carlo Palmiero, has now become an international brand.

Tell us about the origins of Palmiero.

Palmiero Jewellery House was started by my father in our Italian hometown of Valenza in 1979. Over the years, we have become famous for our intricately designed and handcrafted jewellery, all made exclusively in Italy.  

 How does your Italian heritage influence your work?

Firstly, our hometown of Valenza has a rich history of boutique jewellers perfecting their craft that goes back to the 19th century. By 1950, it was well recognised as Italy’s high jewellery capitol. Palmiero’s designs encapsulate this devotion to artisanal craftsmanship.

Secondly, many of our pieces are inspired from quintessentially Italian themes. My father especially loves to draw from our vibrant art history and gorgeous landscapes.

 Why has Palmiero been so successful?

We never follow current trends; we always go our own way. When you look at the market now, it is very common to find pieces that are built to highlight one central precious gem. We do exactly the opposite, focusing on making the overall design into a piece of art. 

We also stay on the cutting edge of high jewellery. My father was a pioneer in utilising multicoloured stones to enhance his designs. He started this back in the ‘80s, and was hailed a visionary.

 Since then, the use of multi-tonal gems with intricate 3D designs in a Pavé setting has become a Palmiero signature.

 What else sets Palmiero apart from other high jewellery houses?

Our brand is positioned at the very high end luxury spectrum. It’s not targeted to the mass market, but rather a niche group of discerning jewellery enthusiasts looking for unique statement pieces to punctuate their well-developed collections.

With such an exclusive clientele, do you have any competitors?

Well, currently, I don’t think we have any direct competitors in the international market. A lot of the other high-end brands create luxury jewellery but releases many pieces per design that can be found at all their boutique stores worldwide.

On the other hand, Palmiero’s clients get a sense of exclusivity because many of our pieces are one-of-a-kind. Each Palmiero piece has a unique story behind it, and is inspired from unlikely sources, be it Haiku poems about the four seasons, or a chameleon that changes colours at will. When you wear a Palmiero, you are not only wearing a piece of jewellery, but also being a part of a unique narrative. That’s what sets us apart.

Thank you.

Interview: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Text: Tenzing Thondup

Cartier shines bright at the annual Emmy Awards

Any awards show is an occasion to dress your best and show off your bling. Cartier was on hand to help some TV personalities shine just a little bit brighter at the 69th Annual Emmy Awards.

Alexander Skarsgård, who won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in Big Little Lies, was spotted with a vintage 1929 platinum and diamond brooch. His co-star Laura Dern picked up her Outstanding Supporting Actress award wearing a Panthère de Cartier ring studded with tsavorite garnets and onyx.

Other big names also showed their support for the jewellery house. White Collar star Matt Bomer was spotted with a diamond-accented 18-carat white gold Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch and Cartier Picot décor cufflinks.

Comedienne Tina Fey was decked out in Cartier High Jewellery diamond earrings, a Maillon Panthère bracelet and a sapphire and diamond topped platinum ring.

It was definitely a star-studded event where the stars shone bright and the jewels shone even brighter!

L’ÉCOLE: Educating Hong Kong on the precepts of jewellery arts

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Hong Kong jewellery aficionados were in for a treat as the third edition of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts returned to The Qube in PMQ last week.

The School, which is supported by luxury jewellery brand Van Cleef & Arpels, held a series of workshops, talks and demonstrations that explored different facets of jewellery craftsmanship.

Guests were invited to try their hand at Savoir-Faire techniques and attempt Japanese urushi lacquer classes, or attend talks on ‘The Universe of Gemstones’ and ‘Art History of Jewelry.’

A selection of photography by up-and-coming local talents was also on display. The artists were selected by a panel of industry experts as part of L’ÉCOLE’s Legacy Program.

L’ÉCOLE President Maria Vallanet-Delholm succinctly summarised the pop-up school’s objectives, saying, “The inspiration behind the founding of L’ÉCOLE was to open up the inner world of jewellery to the public, provide a form of initiation for those really interested, and to share the passion of our professors and experts.”