Category: Jewellery

Fit for a King: A sautoir steeped in Indian tradition

 

Indian maharajahs were famous for their opulent lifestyles. The title “maharajah”, or “great king”, conjures up images of wealthy men living extravagant lives, which was true from the 18th century up to the mid-20th century when maharajahs owned vast swathes of India and lived in splendid palaces. Even though the romanticised version of maharajahs has been confined to history books, it’s still possible to dress like one. At the recent Masterpiece art, design and antiques fair in London, a sautoir fit for a maharajah went on display.

Designed by JAR and exhibited by Symbolic & Chase, the necklace is set with natural pearls and Colombian emeralds. It features the world’s largest certified old cushion-cut fancy vivid yellow diamond weighing 114.63 carats and was formerly owned by a countess. The necklace is valued at an eye-watering HK$238 million, and its versatility allows it to be worn as a long necklace or doubled up for a shorter, layered look.

“The necklace is unbelievable,” says Masterpiece chairman Philip Hewat-Jaboor. “ To have this stone, to discover its history and to have it mounted by one of the greatest jewellers… it’s an extraordinary thing.”

Guilty Pleasures

Treat yourself to bold prints and plunging necklines accessorised with extravagant jewellery and the perfect pout.

Simply Chic: Sometimes less is more

Minimalism (adjective): a deliberate lack of decoration or adornment in style or design. By definition, this may seem an undesirable label for jewellery. In reality, though, minimalist accessories pair effortlessly with every ensemble and they never go out of style.

One of Chopard’s newest collections – created with the help of pop goddess Rihanna – is testament to that. The Rihanna Loves Chopard collection “is defined by minimalist geometry and sharp, clean lines”, Chopard explains. It features cubes in rose gold and green ceramic, which serve as the building blocks of these simplistic yet stylish designs.

Chaumet’s Jeux de Liens collection is another ode to the beauty of simplicity. Its pieces feature an X-shaped motif, which is reinterpreted in a variety of stones and styles, from chrysoprase and pink opal on rose gold to pavé-set diamonds on white gold.
Damiani also experiments with motifs in its new D.Icon collection. The brand’s iconic D-shaped symbol is represented in white or black ceramic, with gold and diamonds thrown into the mix. Classic versions featuring a single diamond are available, as well as versions where the D is filled in with pavé diamonds.

Qeelin has drawn upon traditional Chinese culture in the making of its Yu Yi collection. The lock-shaped symbol comes from the phrase man si yu yi – may your dreams come true – and it’s represented in agate and onyx stones, paired with gold and diamonds. According to Qeelin founder Dennis Chan, “If you give someone a Yu Yi lock, you are giving that person a blessing. And a lock means so much more – to lock up love, promises, memories, health, friendship and so on.”

Thanks to the timelessness of the Yu Yi collection and other minimalist designs, these jewellery pieces can be worn and adored for many years to come.

Crowning Glory: Royal tiara stolen from museum

 

Atiara with 367 diamonds that’s valued at about US$1.3 million (HK$10 million) was stolen from a German museum recently. Thieves managed to nab the tiara from a locked cabinet in the throne room at Badisches Landesmuseum in the city of Karlsruhe. The tiara originally belonged to the Grand Duchess Hilda von Baden, who wore it to a reception celebrating the 80th birthday of the King of Sweden before passing it down to her niece. The duchess was married to Grand Duke Friedrich II, who ascended to the throne in 1907 and ruled over the territory of Baden. The museum believes the tiara was
made for Friedrich II’s coronation.

The nimble-fingered robbers managed to open the cabinet with “a suitable object”, leaving the cabinet intact, according to a museum spokesperson. Thieves seem to have a liking for German museums. The Big Maple Leaf, a 220-pound gold coin reportedly worth millions, was stolen from the Bode Museum in Berlin in March.The burglars apparently entered the museum through a window in the middle of the night and swiped the coin from its protective bulletproof glass. As of the end of July, German police were still looking for the masterminds behind both heists.

 

Prickly charm: Cartier’s new jewellery collection draws inspiration from cactus

For those who are bored of flowers, Cartier has unveiled Cactus de Cartier, an edgy collection influenced by cacti.

Cartier has taken this overlooked plant and turned it into jewellery that is both intricate and beautiful.

Available as pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings, the items in the collection can be worn as single statement pieces or as clusters to suit your mood.

Meticulously crafted golden thorns are the common denominator with some sprouting diamond flowers on top. The colours range from matte gold and soft pink-gold to vivid green and are contrasted with blue, red or orange flowers blooming amidst the thorns.

Like Cartier’s other signature collections, such as Panthere de Cartier, Cactus de Cartier explores a side of femininity that is powerful and full of endurance.

Qeelin, Alvin Goh work together on latest #BeQeelinBeYourself campaign

International jewellery brand Qeelin has collaborated with style director Alvin Goh to design new looks for Coco Rocha and Josie Ho.

The partnership aims to present the many ways a woman can express herself through jewellery.

“Qeelin is elegant, playful and inspirational, but like paint on a canvas, it’s nothing without the painter,” says creative director of Qeelin Dennis Chan.

“I am thrilled to be the painter collaborating with Goh, a stylist who understands the character of our jewellery.”

Goh, who is often portrayed in multiple roles including make-up artist, fashion stylist and creative director, believes himself to be a storyteller instead. “I think every woman has a story to tell,” he says. “It is about her personality, her story, her mood.”

On working with Qeelin, he says: “Collaborating with Qeelin jewellery is great. Though it is fine jewellery, it is playful.”

Both singer Ho and model Rocha are excited to work with Qeelin and Goh.

“I love the way Alvin plays with layering Qeelin jewellery, the way he mixes and matches the different collections and design themes,” says Rocha. “This is not about having to wear this earring with that necklace, but being able to mix, play and be myself.”

Ho has equally great things to say. “Qeelin has a style and independence that resonates with me,” she explains. “I love the way my personality can be expressed through the way I mix and match the pieces.”

 

Tiffany & Co. dazzles with the launch of Tiffany Diamond Academy

Tiffany & Co. opened its doors to the Tiffany Diamond Academy with a cocktail party on 11 July. The event also celebrated the 130th anniversary of the Tiffany Setting.

Two craftsmen were flown in from the United States to show the guests diamond grading and polishing. Melvyn Kirtley, Tiffany & Co.’s chief gemologist, served as a guest speaker for the first week of the workshop.

Each session of the workshop accommodates no more than 10 guests and speakers to maximise audience engagement.

The workshop consists of four stations, including Tiffany Diamond Introduction, Diamond Colour Grading and Clarity, Diamond Polishing, and Diamond Setting.

Upon completion of the academy, participants will receive a certificate verified by Melvyn Kirtley.

The academy runs until August 15 at Elements.

Divine Duo: Diamonds inspired by the gods

Apollo and Artemis aren’t just Greek gods; they’re also the most valuable earrings ever sold at auction. Or at least that’s what they were called before they were auctioned off. The anonymous buyer who made off with these dazzling dangle earrings gave them new monikers – “The Memory of Autumn Leaves” and “The Dream of Autumn Leaves”. Although, considering that the pair sold for a combined total of US$57.4 million (HK$447.7 million), you wouldn’t want to go frolicking around in a pile of leaves while wearing them.

The more valuable of the two is the 14.54-carat internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond, which went for US$42 million alone. In recent years, only the Cullinan mine in South Africa has produced blue diamonds with any regularity, but the stones are still exceptionally rare. Less than 0.1 percent of the diamonds have a blue hue, and even fewer are graded a fancy vivid blue diamond. The fancy intense pink diamond earring is slightly larger at 16 carats, but it’s less rare than its periwinkle partner.

The earrings were the “stars” of the auction, according to Sotheby’s representative David Bennett. “These exquisite coloured diamonds are enormously rare and each is a wonderful stone in its own right,” he says. “Together, as a pair of earrings, they are breathtaking.”

Bvlgari invites style icons to party at flagship store

Bulgari hosted Serpenti Night at its flagship store at Landmark Chater recently. The event was held to celebrate the start of summer and to unveil Bulgari’s Serpenti 2017 collection. 

The Serpenti collection features jewellery, watches, handbags and eyewear designed to add vibrant hues to a lady’s summer look. Models at the party wore snake-inspired 3D paper dresses and were adorned in items from the Serpenti 2017 collection.

Bulgari has also given its store windows a makeover. The windows feature classic Vespa and Cinquecento miniature scooters in white ceramic with Bulgari jewellery draped over them.

The party was attended by Yen Kuok, Vincy Yeung, Pearl Shek, Antonia Cruz, Tiffany Chan, Denise Ho, Jacqueline Chow, Andrew Pong and more.

Guests sparkle at Pandora’s Autumn-Winter 2017 collection launch event

Danish jewellery maker Pandora unveiled its Autumn-Winter 2017 collection at the Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom last month. The jewellery manufacturer and retailer also showcased its Christmas and Disney collections at the event.  

Guests were treated to a demonstration by Pandora’s in-house craftsmen from Thailand on how the company combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. A specially designed 360-degree video booth was also set-up to simulate falling autumn leaves and snow.

International cellist Winca Chan and a group of female dancers entertained those in attendance.

The guest list included Charlene Choi, Ekin Cheng, Miki Yeung, Jason Chan, Sarah Song, Ken Hung, Kathy Yuen, Rubberband, Cara G and more.