Bulgari has Christmas gift ideas wrapped up

Looking for the perfect gift for a lucky man or woman in your life? Bulgari has plenty of Christmas gift ideas.

For example, ladies can choose from a Serpenti Forever flap cover bag in silver calf leather, a Serpenti pink gold band ring with rubellite eyes and pavé-set diamonds head or Serpenti pink gold earrings with rubellite eyes and pavé-set diamonds head.

Men, fear not, you have not been left out. Bulgari has a number of watches, such as the Octo Ultranero Velocissimo in 18k pink gold with a steel case and black diamond like carbon coating and integrated rubber strap.

Sky high bidding for ring-mounted by Cartier

For a barely noticeable US$25 million deduction from the petty cash float, this stunning blue diamond could prove a fine conversation piece at your next soirée or two. This particular gem – the Sky Blue Diamond – was the centrepiece of Sotheby’s Geneva branch sale of some of the world’s most precious of precious stones. Weighing in at a truly gaspworthy 8.01 carats, this mesmerising gem – ring-mounted by Cartier, who else? – has been accorded Fancy Vivid Blue status by the Gemological Institute of America, a very rare honour indeed. Its much sought-after hue marks it out as an exceedingly rare Type IIb, a rating merited by less than 0.5 percent of all of the diamonds ever unearthed.
Assessing the piece – and clearly more than a little star-struck himself – David Bennett, global chairman of Sotheby’s jewellery division, said: “The Sky Blue Diamond boasts a wonderfully clear celestial blue, presented in an extremely elegant square emerald cut. In my view, this is the most flattering of all the cuts for any coloured diamond.”

Get your glow on with wild designs

There’s no need to be a professional snake charmer when one can mesmerise just as effortlessly with the Serpenti collection by Bulgari. A pink gold ring beset with rubellites, diamonds and snake-like emerald eyes is seductive enough to give Medusa a run for her money. Pair it with Serpenti Inspiration earrings in pink gold with nine fancy-shaped pink tourmalines dangling lavishly from each lobe, or choose from a selection of rebellious reptilian-shaped pendants.

Cartier is also taking a walk on the wild side with its collection of cactus-shaped jewellery. These gold pieces are reminiscent of desert sand, and a dichotomy of soft and sharp elements gives the collection its depth. An 18-carat yellow gold Cactus de Cartier ring and a matching bracelet and necklace are adorned with lapis lazuli gemstones and brilliant-cut diamonds.

Chanel’s Fête de Moissons bracelet wraps delicately around the wrist, evoking images of bougainvillea climbing and colouring the walls of a French boutique. The bracelet, mounted on white and yellow gold, boasts an 11.1-carat yellow diamond, as well as multicolour diamonds and yet more yellow diamonds in varying shapes. A matching necklace dazzles with a 25-carat fancy intense yellow diamond in the centre.

For a nature-inspired look, an 18-carat pink gold watch by Piaget is adorned with 24 marquise-cut diamonds arranged in a leaf-like pattern. A minimalist mother-of-pearl dial free of numbers, paired with the textured gold band, gives the watch a polished and elegant look.

Bright Night Fantasy bra from Victoria’s Secret valued at HK$23.3 million

The secret is now well and truly out. The Bright Night Fantasy bra from Victoria’s Secret, one of the world’s premiere luxury lingerie brands, has been described as truly uplifting by those in the know. Valued at a cool US$3 million (HK$23.3 million), the bra comes complete with more than 9,000 precious gems – including an array of diamonds and emeralds – and apparently took more than 700 man hours to craft by hand.

The creative force behind the Bright Night Fantasy bra is Eddie Borgo, a renowned US accessories designer, while the lady so ably fronting it is Jasmine Tookes, a well-known US fashion model and former gymnast. The bra itself will make its catwalk debut at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris on 5 December, with Tookes again doing the honours. Speaking prior to the event, the model revealed she was required to sit for three hours in plaster as part of the lengthy process that went into the creation of this most bespoke of undergarments.

In the case of Borgo, he has made something of a habit of creating high-end bras. Last year’s offering, though, featured only 6,500 precious gems, a sum easily eclipsed by this year’s updated chest masterpiece.

Individual gifts for gifted individuals

Exquisite timepieces, a Thai Papillon clip in white gold with sapphires, rubies, black spinels and diamonds, wallet and loafers and a Mughal ring in 18-ct white gold paved diamonds are just some of the gifts we have bundled together to help make your life a little bit easier this Christmas.

Click here to get a closer look at the gifts

Tiffany hosts an evening engagement to celebrate anniversary

Tiffany, the world’s most celebrated jewellery brand, kicked off its 130th anniversary in true style with a collection of its finest wares on display, most notably the world’s most captivating item of jewellery – an 8.88 carat diamond engagement ring. The milestone exhibition took place at the suitably salubrious Landmark Atrium in Central.

Click here to watch the event

A fancy diamond created for expensive tastes

With Christmas fast approaching, those with a sizable wad of spare cash and a partner with an eye for the finest gems need look no further than the latest offerings from Hong Kong-based Sophie Creations. The company’s master craftsmen have ensured its magnificent 5.16 carat Fancy Yellow Cushion Diamond is perfectly positioned in its mount, allowing it to properly showcase its splendour as the reflecting light amplifies its natural radiance. With half carat shield-cut-shaped diamonds on the sides, linked by invisible gold wires, the overall effect evokes the magnificence of royalty.

www.sophiehk.com

Sparks will fly with this ring collection by Gübelin

The Sparks of Fire ring collection by Gübelin, inspired by the brilliant colours of fireworks, has been designed to truly nurture the playful art of stacking, mixing and matching sets of rings. In one set, for instance, red gold bands cane topped with a choice of one of three round gemstones – a yellow beryl, a tempting aquamarine or a more outré morganite. Alternatively, another set comes with the options of dazzling tourmaline, ruby and tanzanite. Creative, diverting and allowing for true individual expression, this makes the ideal gift for your more colourful acquaintances.

www.gubelin.com

Hidden gems: Bonhams to put rare jewels under the hammer later this month

Bonhams, the privately owned British auctioneer, will put rare jewellery from renowned houses of Harry Winston and Cartier, and highly sought-after gems under the hammer on 30 November.

The Rare Jewels and Jadeite Auction will feature beautiful gems such as an 88-carat diamond (D/IF, Ex, Ex) single-stone ring, by Cartier and a pair of diamond (D/IF) pendent earrings, by Harry Winston.

One of the highlights of the auction is a rare 10.21-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, by Mouawad that will set you back a cool HK$6.8 million-8 million.

Kashmir sapphires were only mined in the late 19th century and they are deemed to be the king of all sapphires.

Graeme Thompson, Director of Jewellery for Bonhams Asia, spoke to Gafencu about his role at the auction house, the jewellery market in Asia and the upcoming auction, among many other things.

All of the items in the auction can be viewed from 26 November at Bonhams.

Venue: Bonhams Hong Kong Gallery, Suite 2001, One Pacific Place

Date: Wednesday 30 November, 2016

Time: 3:00pm

Discover how a discrete diamond or an occasional opal can zhoosh up the finest frock

The Cartier Magicien Collection diamond Incantation necklace has a 22.84-carat sapphire; Cartier’s Oracle necklace holds emeralds from Colombia and diamonds.

Big girls need big diamonds” was Elizabeth Taylor’s take on the subject, while Coco Chanel famously asserted that “a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” Despite their slightly different preferences, it is safe to say that both were firm believers that jewellery can make or break an outfit, particularly when dressing for a gala event or a high society soirée.

The key to achieving the requisite sophisticated look is balance. Ideally, a dazzling sequin dress, for example, should be complemented by small, dainty earrings and very little else. Simple, classic dresses, meanwhile, can be spruced up with a jaw-dropping statement piece, such as Piaget’s Sunny Side of Life pink gold necklace, complete with an oval-cut Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique, all surrounded by diamonds, pink sapphires and yet more blue tourmalines. As a rule of thumb, if one item is overstated, the remainder can be a little more demure.

A prime example of the former, courtesy of Piaget, is a stunning pair of 18K white gold dangle earrings, fetchingly adorned with 460 brilliant-cut diamonds in a cascading circular design. These were recently modeled to great effect by Jessica Chastain, the US actress and Piaget brand ambassador. In a similar vein, white gold cuffs emblazoned with blue sapphires or Piaget’s emerald and diamond jewellery sets all add a touch of glamour to any gala gown.

“As a rule of thumb, if one item is overstated, the remainder can be a little more demure”

Cartier is also clearly in the “go big or go home” camp, a commitment underlined by its diamond Incantation necklace, an accessory that can be transformed to suit any occasion. This choker-style necklace can be easily elongated, while its detachable Ceylon sapphire pendant can also be worn as a ring. Even more playful options courtesy of Cartier – and just perfect for complementing a cocktail dress – are its desert-themed collection of cactus-shaped rings, earrings and necklaces.

For those looking for a bold splash of colour, Bulgari’s Ispirazioni Italiane necklace dazzles with an array of pink tourmalines, amethysts, emerald beads, red spinels and diamonds. Chopard has also chosen to forefront diamonds in its Temptations Haute Joaillerie collection, with the range boasting a sophisticated set of earrings with oval-cut, marquise-cut, pear-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds.

While earrings and necklaces in vibrant colours are very much in vogue right now, any budding Ms Taylors and Ms Chanels – with a distinct penchant for classic gemstones – will still surely find something to catch their eye in this season’s jewellery collections.