Chopard redesigns Palme d’Or trophy for Cannes Film Festival

The Palme d’Or trophy has long been a shining symbol of artistic achievement at the Cannes Film Festival, which is now celebrating its 70th anniversary. Fine jewellery maison Chopard is paying tribute to that milestone while simultaneously celebrating 20 years of partnership with the world-renowned film festival by unveiling a stunning new Palme d’Or.

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The golden trophy has been adorned with diamonds for the first time, and all of the materials have been ethically sourced, including the Fairmined ethical gold leaf motif and diamonds sourced from a supplier certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Chopard was first tasked with redesigning the palm in 1998. A truly unique design, the tip of the branch forms the delicate image of a heart, and its golden leaves appear to be frozen in time. The trophy boasts 188 grams of 18-carat yellow gold in total, and the palm rests on a rock crystal cushion that is shaped like an emerald-cut diamond. No small feat, it takes no less than 40 hours to craft.

8 ways to treat a special lady this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a time to show the most important woman in your life that you appreciate all the sweat and toil she went through to get you where you are today. Let’s be honest, mothers are as close to a superhero as you can get. All that’s missing is the cape.

So this Sunday, show your mother that you really care by taking her out for a delicious meal, buying her a nice piece of jewellery or pampering her at a spa.

We have compiled a list of things to help you treat such a special lady this Mother’s Day.

Brunch at Gaucho

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Gaucho’s new head chef has created a menu that is sure to delight even the pickiest of mothers. Located in the heart of Central and well-known for its steaks, the Argentinian restaurant is offering an all-you-can-eat and drink Veuve Clicquot brunch during the day (HK$600), and an exclusive 3-course dinner in the evening (HK$425).

The daytime brunch includes 2-hour free-flow champagne and delicious dishes such as empanadas, ceviches and different cuts of prime beef. Mothers who prefer nighttime drinking and eating can enjoy a 3-course meal including salmon tiradito, shrimp causita, lomo (fillet) and other Argentinian specials. The meal is finished off with dulce de leche cheesecake.

Food with a view at CÉ LA VI

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If you want to treat your mum by taking her to a venue for brunch with stunning views over Hong Kong, then CÉ LA VI’s Moments with Mum brunch (HK$488) is the perfect choice. The brunch is on every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm during May and the food has been prepared by Executive Chef Kun Young Pak.

The menu has a Korean flavour with chilled seafood and salad followed by hot platters like tempura and Korean-style creamy prawns. Main dishes include the crunchy and succulent short rib lettuce wrap and Korean-style fried chicken and waffles. Ladies will also be presented with a complimentary de-stressing gift pack.

Gifts from Bally

Bally Mother's Day 2017

Bally, the Swiss luxury fashion company, has a number of presents for the mum who is young at heart. The Edelweiss Capsule collection is crafted from calf leather and mums can choose from a tote bag, backpack, mini-cross body bag, clutch and wallet. The collection is available in petal and marine colours.

Beautify with Jurlique

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Beauty conscious mothers will love the gifts from Jurlique. The Australian cosmetics brand offers a hand care set to treat, nurture and restore moisture, leaving hands beautifully soft, smooth and healthy with lasting hydration. Mothers can also indulge themselves from head-to-toe with the rose hydration cream that is included in the hand and body kit.

Satisfy a sweet tooth at Ms B’s Cakery

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For mothers with a sweet tooth, Ms B’s Cakery has five delicious cakes, as well as a range of unique gifts. The five cakes – Garden Rose, the Baby, the True Love, the Heart of Hearts and the Lilac Dream – are sure to bring a smile to any mother’s face. The Garden Rose (1,000g, HK$1,800) is a French vanilla chiffon sponge cake along with peaches and cream and a chocolate corn crunch, topped with sugar-art roses and sweet peas. Ms B’s Cakery is also offering gift boxes, which include handcrafted chocolates, silk flowers and an oversized edible “rock”.

Celebrate with Roger Dubuis

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Roger Dubuis is helping you celebrate Mother’s Day with two of its collections: Excalibur and Velvet. The Excalibur 36mm Automatic features a white alligator strap fitted on a fully paved dial. It has been designed with an assortment of diamonds and comes with a white gold case and folding buckle. The Excalibur Essential 36 Automatic has sparkling gems and a blue PVD-coated dial with a sun-brushed finish. The watch features a 22-carat pink gold rotor, visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case-back and black DLC-treated titanium case topped by a bezel set with 48 blue sapphires.

Indulge at the Mandarin Spa

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Show your mum you really care with a rejuvenating facial at The Mandarin Spa that helps to thicken the skin and improve collagen and elastin. The non-invasive facial uses Environ skincare products to expose the skin to high levels of vitamin A, antioxidants and peptides. The vitamin-based treatment counteracts the harmful effects of the environment, pollution and stress for radiant, visibly improved skin. Until 14 May, mothers and daughters who book the 90-minute facial (HK$2,200 on weekdays and HK$2,300 on weekends) will receive a complimentary Environ eye gel.

Larry Jewelry dazzles

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Larry Jewelry has released a dazzling new ring just in time for Mother’s Day. The Precious Heart ring boasts a heart-shaped emerald in the centre weighing 2.89 carats, and also features an additional 2.3 carats of marquise-shaped, pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds. It is just one of the items designed for Larry Jewelry’s Precious Heart collection, which features unique heart-shaped gemstones paired with a variety of diamonds in elegant and enchanting designs.

Text: Andrew Scott

Celestial Bodies: Stars show off jewellery at award shows

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When it comes to high-profile awards ceremonies for filmmakers, it’s not just about the movies anymore. And it’s no longer “what” are they wearing but “who”? Some of the best-dressed celebs at the recent Oscars and Golden Globes wore Chopard, Bulgari, Lorraine Schwartz, Tiffany & Co., Neil Lane, Nirav Modi, Harry Winston and Forevermark – and that’s only counting the jewellery designers. Most notably, big and bold earrings were very much in vogue, with dazzling diamonds dripping from the lobes of some of the industry’s most acclaimed actresses.

English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley – a former Victoria’s Secret “Angel” – wore a pair of Nirav Modi earrings to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. The “Celestial” earrings feature emerald-cut diamonds weighing more than 8 carats. Set within brilliant-cut diamond “halos,” the encircled diamonds form a cascading, geometric pattern.
Another Victoria’s Secret Angel, Alessandra Ambrosio, was spotted wearing a pair of Bulgari Heritage collection pendant earrings to the Oscars party. The platinum earrings from the label’s Gina Lollobrigida Heritage collection are encrusted with emeralds and diamonds, and the emerald offered the perfect splash of green to contrast with her ravishing red dress.

As was expected of actress Halle Berry, she stunned once again with her style and beauty. She wore a pair of Pluczenik solid pink Egyptian diamond drop earrings by Forevermark to the Oscars. The edgy earrings, set in 18-carat rose gold, paired well with her one-sleeve custom Atelier Versace dress.

Piaget opens lounge in Elements to showcase Possession collection

Piaget has opened a Possession Lounge in Elements to showcase its collection of ornamental stones.

The design of the lounge closely resembles the rotating ring of the Possession collection and showcases campaign images by Olivia Palermo. The lounge also has a photobooth where guests can take snaps with a number of props.

“Being one of the iconic Piaget collections, the Possession Collection has been highly admired and adored by today’s woman who has unique taste and style and pursues a quality life,” said Dimitri Gouten, President of Piaget Asia Pacific.

The opening party was attended by actress Karena Lam, Kathy Chow, Mandy Cho, Antonia Li and more.

The lounge is open until 7 May.

Beguiling box: How to proffer a proper coffer

Session_140279_Top View What’s the hardest part of owning the world’s most expensive jewellery box? Perhaps it’s the task of finding items of jewellery that are lavish enough to be deemed worthy of storing inside such an extravagant receptacle. However, it’s safe to assume that anyone who would splurge US$3.5 million (HK$27.2 million) on a box would not hesitate to splash out on some truly divine gemstones.

Whatever the case, the Flower of Eternity Jewellery Coffer by Swiss diamond house Mouawad is truly for lovers of the finer things. Unveiled at the recent Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, the 18-carat gold and silver box is encrusted with an enviable number of white and yellow diamonds, white and pink sapphires, rubies and lapis lazuli. Its delicate, heart-shaped flower petals are said to symbolise eternal love.

Session_141283_Open box_effThe coffer’s claim as the most expensive jewellery box has already been verified by The Guinness Book of World Records – and it’s not the first time Mouawad has earned such a distinction. The jeweller has previously crafted the world’s most valuable necklace, handbag and bra. Its diamond necklace modestly dubbed “L’Incomparable” features the world’s largest internally flawless diamond and costs a none-too-shabby $55 million. Similarly, its diamond-encrusted Very Sexy Fantasy Bra sports a price tag of $11 million.

Choice of kings: Chaumet’s exhibition presents royal jewellery through the ages

Chaumet is currently hosting an exhibition at the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, Beijing. Imperial Splendours is a stroll down the maison’s rich history that is inherently intertwined with French royalty dating back to the reign of Napoleon.  

Under the guidance of Henri Loyrette, the former director of the Louvre Museum, the exhibition showcases the high jewellery house’s body of work with over 300 historic jewels, objets d’art, paintings, drawings and more.

Some of the items in the exhibition date back to the 18th century and a select few have left France or are on view to the public for the first time.

The exhibition presents iconic pieces like the bracelets of the Empress Marie-Louise, the pearl necklace of the Prince of Bavaria and the coronation sword of Napoleon I.

Chaumet also pays tribute to its master jewellers through the ages.

Prestigious collections and prominent museums have come together to support the event, namely the Musee du Louvre, the Chateau de Fontainebleau and the Victoria and Albert Museum of London

The exhibition also displays a selection of work belonging to the Palace Museum.

The exhibition is taking place at the Wu Men Room, Meridian Gate, Forbidden City, from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, until 2 July.

Tickets can be bought at the venue.

Tosca’s new afternoon tea menu dazzles diners, jewellery lovers

Italian restaurant Tosca has teamed up with luxury jeweller Damiani to create a truly dazzling experience, bringing together the best of both the culinary and haute joaillerie worlds.

Tosca, which is part of the Ritz-Carlton and is located on the 102nd floor of the ICC, will host its jewellery-inspired afternoon tea set every Saturday from now until 13 May during the hours of 3:30pm and 5:30pm.

Created by Michelin-starred Chef Pino Lavarra, the menu was inspired by Damiana’s Mimosa collection and features airy and elegant dishes that pay homage to the season.

After taking their tea, diners can step into a private dining room to view the Mimosa collection. A Damiani representative will be on hand to explain how the diamonds and gemstones are carefully arranged to evoke the image of flower blossoms.

One highlight of the afternoon tea set menu is the fegato grasso, an edible ruby ring made with foie gras terrine glazed in cherry syrup.

Desserts include alba chocolate truffle, caprese cake with tea cremeux and an apple glass, Piedmontese hazelnut and spice bread, to name a few.

Buon appetito!

PHOTOS: Stars adorned in jewellery steal the show at Hong Kong Film Awards

Crime thriller The Trivisa was the big winner at the Hong Kong Film Awards, the city’s version of the Oscars, but a number of celebrities tried their best to steal the show.

The Trivisa is based on a true story of Hong Kong mobsters and scooped awards for best film, director, actor, screenplay and film-editing.

Co-directed by Frank Hui, Jevons Au and Vicky Wong, the film is banned in mainland China due to its subtle political messages.

Gordon Lam was named best actor for his role in The Trivisa, while the best actress award went to Kara Wai for her role in Happiness.

Eric Tsang won best supporting actor and Elaine Jin won best supporting actress for their roles in Mad World.

Stars such as Zhou Dong Yu, Zhao Wei, Miriam Yeung, Wong Chun and Gordon Lam dazzled in jewellery by Bulgari, Harry Winston and Chopard, and watches from Montblanc at the awards show.

Check out how the stars looked in our slideshow above.

Spring Sale: 7 stunning pieces from Sotheby’s auction

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Among collectors, Sotheby’s spring auction in Hong Kong is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. This year was particularly significant because it was the first time Western contemporary art was offered at the evening sale, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The five-day event raked in a grand total of HK$3.17 billion.

Sotheby’s President and CEO Tad Smith said of the auction’s success: “Outstanding results in our traditional categories of Chinese ceramics and paintings were joined by records across a range of collecting fields including western contemporary art and jewellery, affirming Hong Kong as an anchor of the global art market.”

Here are some of the most remarkable items sold at the spring auction.

Mao by Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol Mao

Mao is an iconic painting of an iconic leader, rendered by an equally iconic artist in his own right – American pop art pioneer Andy Warhol. It’s little wonder, then, that all eyes were on Mao at the spring auction. A private Asian collector bought the piece for HK$98.5 million, setting a record for any Western contemporary artwork ever sold at auction in Asia. The painting was expected to fetch HK$115 million.

The painting was created in 1973, a year after the historic moment when US President Nixon visited China and Chairman Mao.

Lush Mountains in Misty Gleam by Zhang Daqian

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In the Fine Chinese Paintings category, Lush Mountains in Misty Gleam by late Chinese artist Zhang Daqian was the top seller, going for more than HK$31 million. Painted in 1967, the medium is splashed ink and colour on gold paper. The artist’s distinctive splashed-colour style (pocai) can be partly attributed to eye problems he experienced later in his career when his eyesight started deteriorating.

Fancy intense blue diamond ring

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Another record setter in its respective category, this fancy intense blue diamond ring was snapped up for HK$37.2 million. The ring, set in white gold, boasts an emerald-cut, 3.13-carat blue diamond flanked by two step-cut diamonds and an oval band encrusted with circular-cut diamonds.

Dry-Lacquer Head of Avalokitesvara, Tang Dynasty

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This sculpture of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, an important Buddhist figure, went for HK$21.7 million. This extremely rare item was made using a dry-lacquer technique during the High Tang period, likely during the reign of Emperor Xuanzang (712-756). This particular piece is in near-pristine condition.

Explosion 64-1, Shimamoto Shozo

Shimamoto Shozo Explosion 64-1

This colourfully chaotic oil on canvas painting by late Japanese artist Shimamoto Shozo sold for HK$20.5 million. The painting was created in 1964 using the artist’s signature ‘bottle crash’ method, in which glass bottles filled with paint are hurled at large canvases. As said best by the artist himself: “Even if my method seems shocking and violent – crushing bottles and shooting cannons at the canvas … I’m just working on creating beauty.”

Xuande Fish Pond lobed bowl

Sotheby's Chinese Works of Art Spring Sales 2017 - Mr. Nicolas Chow with the Xuande Bowl

This fine china set a new auction record for early Ming porcelain when it sold for HK$229 million. It’s safe to bet that the buyer probably won’t be using it to serve up fried noodles. The tranquil scene depicts four fish swimming past lotus flowers: a carp, mandarin fish and two kinds of bream, all set in a beautiful cobalt blue.

The Macallan in Lalique – The Legacy Collection

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For whisky collectors, The Lalique Legacy Collection is highly coveted. The collection features a set of six crystal decanters filled with The Macallan’s rarest single malts, aged 50 to 65 years old, plus six rare miniature bottles and six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses. This exclusive, limited edition collection went for HK$7.7 million, setting a record for any lot of whisky ever sold at auction.

Text: Emily Petsko

Meet Andre Morkel, the gemmologist who doesn’t mince his words

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Andre Morkel is chairman and CEO of Morkel & Sons Fine Jewellery and Consultants. He is also a founding partner and chairman of ADAMAS Fine Jewellers’ Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Did you grow up in Hong Kong?

Yes, I’m a fourth-generation Hong Konger. So that makes my kids the fifth generation. I have an elder son who is 15 and a younger son who is turning five. From the get-go, my great-grandfather was involved in stockbroking in Hong Kong. He was chairman of the stock exchange, and the majority of my family worked in broking. A lot of them were lawyers in the finance industry and worked in hedge funds. I wanted to do something different and branch out, which I guess makes me the black sheep.

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How did you break into the jewellery industry?

I went to a luncheon about 10 years ago with a very good friend, and it was there that I met the owner and chairman of Ryder Diamonds, Sally Ryder. The minute I met her we just clicked and she said, ‘Why don’t you come in?’ and I thought, ‘Why not? It looks interesting,’ so I dropped everything to take up gemstone training. From my first day, she threw me into the deep end. I had knowledge of gems and diamonds but not like this. She gave me all these stones and said, ‘Sort them.’ I said, ‘Sort what? There are hundreds of stones here. What do you want me to do?’ I eventually caught on, and the training was phenomenal. I began to understand how the guys in the workshop twisted the gold, how they did the moulding and how long it took. I used to – and still do – come back with cuts and bruises and burns.

Ever since we started ADAMAS, my partner and I have received a lot of enquiries for jobs because people think it’s a luxurious industry. But it’s also hugely hard work. Now, it’s getting harder and harder to convince clients to buy because the market is so saturated, and the majority of our clients are uber high-end and high net-worth, so they already have so much stock and don’t need anymore. We hit a roadblock with that last year, but we took a different marketing approach and the interest started sparking again. 

_MG_0296R“This ring was designed for our younger son – it’s dubbed the Avrae Dragon Ring, which means eternal fire”

Have you been hit by the recent downturn in the jewellery market?

It has been difficult at times. Last year, people were calling it the ‘death market.’ I don’t agree with that, but it was tough, absolutely. Every industry took a hit, not just the jewellery industry. In my mind, though, we just had to find a loophole. There’s always a way to manoeuver back into a market that’s in a slump to recapture some of your clients. There’s always cash somewhere.

I listen to (life success coach) Tony Robbins a lot – he’s one of my biggest mentors – and one thing he says is, ‘If you want to take the island, then burn the boat.’ And that’s what we did. We don’t compete against the ‘big guys’ – the large jewellery brands – but we find ways of supplying clients with products that are more attainable to their budget. A lot of people want that 5-carat gemstone and they’re adamant it must be Cartier branded, but we can supply something of equal calibre at a fraction of the cost. We started small but gradually grew over time to what we are now, and we’re doing considerably well given the current market. We have a small following of private clients, which is growing nicely.

What sets ADAMAS apart from other jewellers?

My passion is the stones themselves, the designs. A lot of retailers have nice stones, but the salesmen don’t understand what they’re selling half the time. I have suppliers globally, and I have a very good supplier based in Hamburg who flies to South Africa and sources stones from mines around the country. He sends me the most unique paraibas and the rarest tanzanites. That’s one of our selling points because I can send those rare stones to high net-worth clients – and not just the ladies, but also the guys. A lot of the guys want ruby and sapphire rings. They want Sri Lankan blues, Burmese blues and Muzo emeralds. The Muzo mines (in Colombia) are drying up now, so people are after Muzo emeralds.

 “For my morning meditation, I have what I call my Bruce Willis Die Hard breakfast of cigarettes and two coffees”

The design is also key. I recently designed a piece for a high net-worth client using a rare paraibas that you will never find again. I designed it and we crafted it, which takes up to two months. It’s a one-off ring that’s never going to clash. That is crucial in Hong Kong, where ‘tai tai syndrome’ is a real concern. If you’re sitting at a big banquet and, God forbid, three tai tais are wearing the same ring, there’s going to be a big fight. So we ensure that we never make more than one. Everything is bespoke and customised to the client.

The problem with a lot of clients is they can’t visualise what a loose stone would look like as a piece of jewellery. If I give a client a loose ruby, she cannot visualise how it would look, and I can immediately see in my head what the jewellery should look like by the way she’s dressed, the way she looks, her smile or non-smile, whatever it may be. They say you can judge someone within 10 seconds of meeting them – I can look at a stone and straight away say that it needs to be set in rose gold, for example.

You’ve said that you don’t want a customer, you want a client. Can you elaborate on that?

A customer is someone who comes once. Whether they spend $2,000 or $5 million, I don’t care. I want them to be happy, and I want that phone call from them later on. A lot of businesses will ask, “How are the kids?” and they’ll call to wish you a happy birthday, and then – bam! – they suddenly ask if you want another ring. It’s typical, and you know it’s phony. With a client, there has to be sincerity and honesty, and that’s what we do. A lot of our clients know that my family has been through hell, so there are no false happy birthdays because they know I don’t have time for that. If I say it, I mean it.

What’s one of your favourite pieces of jewellery that you’ve designed?

This ring was designed for our younger son – It’s dubbed the Avrae Dragon Ring, which means eternal fire. It’s a tribute to his battle with cancer because he was born in the year of the dragon. I own lots of dragon-related items – my shoes, my belt, my keyring, my watch. The stone featured is a rubellite, which is said to bring good health and prosperity.

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You’ve recently gotten more involved in raising awareness about cancer. How has your son’s diagnosis changed your life?

He’s doing chemotherapy, which certainly takes a toll. He started on 4 November last year, and his treatment was extended until November 2018. It’s pretty draining, especially because he is so energetic. He doesn’t take many breaks, which means no one in our house gets a break. We also have to be extra cautious when we go out because his immune system is shot, and he can easily pick up a virus.

At one point, I shaved my head to support him. We want to create more awareness about cancer because that conversation is lacking in Hong Kong. My wife joined a support network, but it’s based in the US. Why don’t we have one here? It’s a tough and stressful experience, and that’s why we want to set up a support network to help parents who are going through this so that they have something to fall back on.

When you have free time, what do you do to unwind?

I like to build RC (remote control) racing cars, which have now overloaded my son’s room. Fish are another fascination of mine. I have a big carp collection, and I find them very relaxing to watch. I have 12 now, so I’ll have to build a proper pond to accommodate them in the summer. We also have piranhas, which is a little bit crazy.

Music is another big release for me. For my morning meditation, I go upstairs and have what I call my Bruce Willis Die Hard breakfast of cigarettes and two coffees, and I listen to music and try to relax for 10 minutes before I start the day.

I also collect a lot of memorabilia, which drives my wife insane. I have a samurai sword, a sabre tooth skull and Sylvester Stallone’s boxing boot from Rocky, which faces my desk. I look at that, and it’s a constant reminder to never give up.

So when I buy these things, they’re not just random pieces – they’re reminders not to drop the ball. I try not to absorb negative energy. Most people nowadays are on so many drugs and antidepressants because they’re listening to everyone else, but if you listen to people like Tony Robbins you’re already on a high. I listen to him every morning, just a snippet of whatever he’s got. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make a sale for the day – don’t worry about it. Don’t think about it. Just live for today.

Thank you.

Text: Emily Petsko