Category: Jewellery

Eternal knot: Chaumet’s Liens collection seals the bond between lovers

 

French high jewellery maison, Chaumet, recently hosted an exclusive private event for its VIP customers at its showroom at the Elements mall. In the event, Chaumet especially displayed the Liens de Chaumet collection to the assembled audience.

Essentially a simple design, Liens de Chaumet is Chaumet’s link between an illustrious past and a fashion-forward future.
The Liens collection inherits the rich heritage of the deep love between Emperor Napoleon and Queen Josephine, a love story that has been the inspiration behind so many of Chaumet’s collections.

The four jewellery ranges within the Liens collection – Liens Séduction, Liens Évidence, Liens D’Amour, Jeux de Liens – all take off from the idea of a loosely tied knot, symbolising the eternal bond between two lovers.

Set with diamonds, in rose or white gold, the sixteen fine jewellery pieces, be it rings or bracelets or ear studs, are the perfect gifts for a loved one. There is indeed a Lien for every occasion.

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.

Chopard’s Ice Cubes just upped the cool quotient of minimalist jewellery

Minimalism in jewellery may seem like an oxymoron, but according to jewellery maisons, minimalist jewellery is very much in demand and on-trend because they can be paired with any ensemble effortlessly.
Chopard’s Ice Cube range of jewellery, part of the RIHANNA ♥ CHOPARD Joaillerie Collection, takes this idea of minimalism to a new degree of coolness.
The seed of this avant-garde collection was borne as early as 1999, inspired by the sharp, geometric perfection of ice cubes. Finally, with the collaboration with pop icon Rihanna in April this year, the idea came to fruition as the Ice Cube collection.
Featuring edgy cubes in gold, diamond and green ceramic, these simple yet stylish designs, can be worn solo or stacked up together as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, etc.
The jewellery in this collection is not only cool to look at, but is also part of Chopard’s really cool process of sourcing ‘Fairmined’ certified gold. Stylish design meets sustainable luxury! What could be cooler than that?

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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.

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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.