Category: Jewellery

Be Ringed: Jewelled symbols of eternal love

Precious stones of every hue adorn engagement rings as symbols of eternal love.

Bequeathing engagement rings to your beloved as a symbol of your undying love is really nothing new, but the custom actually originates from a much less romantic practice. Indeed, during ancient Roman times, wives wore rings as a marker of their husbands’ ownership.

Be Ringed Jewelled symbols of eternal love gafencu magazine jewellery

Thankfully, this rather unsentimental convention has given way to more tender leanings in 1477, when Austria’s ruling Archduke Maximillian commissioned the very first recorded diamond ring for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy, sparking a long-lasting love affair with these bejewelled creations amongst Europe’s elite. 

(Chaumet Joséphine Splendeur Impériale ring / Qeelin Wulu solitaire ring / Harr Winston Golconda diamond ring)

Fast forward 470 years, and diamond merchant De Beers launched its now-iconic slogan “A Diamond is Forever” in a successful marketing campaign that saw sales surge, making diamond rings the go-to engagement gift across every corner of the globe. 

(Yeol Deil diamonds ring / Piaget Treasures Collection ring / Chopard Red Carpet Collection 2020 ring / Cartier Destinée Ring)

In recent decades, however, a new trend has emerged, one that sees precious stones of every imaginable hue adorn these sought-after pieces. One particularly memorable example of this was the ring gifted to Kate Middleton by Prince William, which starred a gargantuan 12-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds.

(Piaget Treasures Collection ruby ring / Tiffany & Co. True engagement rings / Stenzhorn Candy Collection ring) 

But whether topped with sapphires, rubies, emeralds or more traditional diamonds, engagement rings remain the most coveted symbol of potential wedded bliss.

Go Wild: Unleashing your inner animal spirit

 

High-end jewellery brands have long veered towards animal-motif jewellery to showcase a dazzlingly wild appeal. We highlight several standouts that will ensure all eyes are on you. 

 

Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif

Anna Hu – Blue Magpie Brooch

This jewellery house draws from the exotic allure of Eastern arts in its designs. A case in point is this poetic adornment that showcases a combination of Chinese culture and Western colours. The Blue Magpie brooch set with circular-cut sapphires, brilliant-cut diamonds and onyx signed by Anna Hu is designed with a pair of blue magpies that share a kiss atop a branch adorned with circular-cut Paraíba-type tourmalines and brilliant-cut diamonds where a delicately threaded golden nest sits with a precious conch pearl egg. The brooch weighs 18 carats in pink and yellow gold mounted on titanium.

Boucheron Serpent Bohème ring Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif

Boucheron – Serpent Boheme Ring

The Serpent Bohème ring,  which commemorates love between founder Frédéric Boucheron and his wife Gabrielle, reflects deep affection for the beloved. In the likeness of the snake necklace gifted to his wife in 1888, this particular animal motif symbolises protection while the crossover of the dual serpent heads represents eternal bind between two lovers. The ring radiates with 32-round cut pavé diamonds and features magnificent white gold scaling which showcases superb detailing and precision. 

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Bracelet Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif

Cartier – Panthère de Cartier Bracelet

This global brand debuted its panther motif in 1914, marking the first fashion house to craft such a masterful pattern. Now the iconic design prances from one jewellery collection to the next with a play on different feline personalities from predatory to languid. The Panthère de Cartier bracelet in particular glimmers elegantly in 10.81-carat diamonds set in 18K white gold and onyx spots and nose, and fashions a pair of mesmerising emerald gem set eyes.

Chanel Bague Lion Rugissant Onyx ring

Chanel – Bague Lion Rugissant Onyx Ring

The lion represents designer Gabrielle Chanel in her triumph over heartache in 1920, Venice. The design continues to provide inspiration in Chanel’s jewellery collections such as the Sous le Signe du Lion collection which includes the roaring 764-brilliant cut diamond-encrusted Bague Lion Rugissant onyx. The rugissant 18-carat white gold and 26.4 carats sculpted onyx is a magnificent symbolism of strength and independence.

Chopard Red Carpet Collection 2020 ring1 Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif

Chopard – Swan Ring

Highlighting Chopard’s latest Red Carpet Collection is the 18-carat white gold magnificent Swan Ring set with a 9.1-carat white opal cabochon, and ceramic with brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphires. Crafted from Fairmined ethical white gold, this attention-grabbing ornament stands out from Chopard’s 73-piece nature-themed jewellery collection.

 

Graff dragonfly brooch Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif

Graff – Dragonfly Brooch

Graff’s legacy for stunning symbolic-designed brooches continues to draw from the natural beauty of flora and fauna with this illuminating 70.60 carats yellow and white mixed diamond Dragonfly Brooch. Portraying grace and elegance with an exuberant display of vibrancy that equates to the natural life that enlivens nature. 

Tiffany Paper Flowers firefly rings Anna Hu Blue Magpie brooch gafencu magazine jewellery animal motif

Tiffany & Co. – Paper Firefly Rings

Adorned as part of the Tiffany Paper flower collection are the Paper Firefly rings. Refined in an ultra-feminine design that encompasses modernity, the Paper Firefly rings are set with round brilliant white diamonds and oval coloured gemstones that sits on a platinum ring. The variety of gemstones in the collection includes rubellite, tanzanite, aquamarine and rare yellow gems. 

Luxury jeweller Fabergé launches new Hilal Crescent Collection

Fabergé, the renowned jewellery maison long favoured by celebrities and royalty alike, has just drawn back the curtain on an all-new jewellery line dubbed the Hilal Crescent Collection. Taking its inspiration from “hilal” – the Arabic term for a crescent moon – and the stars that dot the night sky, the collection comprises pendants, earrings and rings. 

Faberge Hilal Crescent Collection Ring

The trio of stunning accessories have all been lovingly handcrafted from 18K yellow gold, accentuated by Fabergé’s iconic decorative fluting. Each crescent moon design in the Hilal Crescent Collection also comes lovingly pavéd with glistening diamonds, enhanced further with a gorgeous Gemfields Zambian emerald that is sourced ethically from Zambia’s Kagem mine.

Faberge Hilal Crescent Collection Pendant and Earrings

Buccellati unveils gorgeous, geometrically inspired new Mini Rombi Collection

For over a century now, Italian haute joaillerie label Buccellati consistently wowed the world’s high jewellery aficionados with its masterful handcraftsmanship and stunning gemstone designs. The latest chapter of this story now unfolds in the form of its all-new Mini Rombi Collection. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection 3

A new and refreshingly minimalist take on the brand’s iconic Rombi line, the Mini Rombi Collection transforms those emblematic designs into comfortable yet undeniably chic everyday-wear creations, without ever once eschewing on painstaking attention to detail or reducing the effect it has on wearers and viewers alike. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection 2

The dominant motif of this collection is the use of unique geometric elements to enhance the gemstones on every piece. Take, for instance, the ‘20s-era rhomboidal lozenges, calling to mind the intricacies and beauty of ancient Persian tapestry. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection

From rings to pendants to earrings, every piece of Buccellati’s Mini Rombi Collection is a work of art, blending old and new in a wholly appealing fashion. An eye on flexibility is also inherent here, with the designs coming in either white or yellow gold to suit your mood, all, of course, embellished with a glittering array of sparkling diamonds. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection 4

Golden Hearts: Chopard’s stunning 007-inspired collection

Luxury jeweller Chopard is celebrating its partnership with UK-based EON Productions’ upcoming 25th James Bond Film, No Time To Die, with an all-new collection of haute joaillerie – Golden Hearts. With the heart symbol as the main motif, this collection featuring bracelets, earrings, pendants and sautoir necklaces crafted from ethical 18K rose gold. The diamond embellishments that punctuate these designs only serve to further elevate its allure.

golden hearts

Similar to the label’s previous bijouterie line Happy Hearts – from which the collection takes inspiration – Golden Hearts is complete with alternating big and small hearts that hold a dancing diamond in the centre. On days when you need a more exquisite option, there is the alternative version of the aforementioned design that has diamonds studded on the borders of the larger heart.

golden hearts

Taking its movie-inspired motif to heart, this limited-edition collection is engraved with the words “007”, a move that’s all but guaranteed to find favour among the many fans of the James Bond film series. And, once you’ve suitably accessorised yourself with pieces from the Golden Hearts collection, if you’re keen to watch the movie first-hand, No Time To Die is set to be released in Hong Kong on April 30, 2020.

golden hearts

Sparkling highlights from the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Sale

Hong Kong’s reputation for being one of the pre-eminent hubs for high-end auctions was confirmed once again with the outstanding results of the recent Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Sale held earlier this week. 

Action at the Sotheby's Hong Kong auction

The event, which raked in nearly HK$437.7 million, held several undeniable highlights. Perhaps the most eye-catching of these were two exceptionally rare fancy vivid coloured diamonds. The first – a 5.04 carat Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Ring – achieved HK$81.8 million, while a 4.49 carat internally flawless Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond sold for HK$63 million. 

Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels Sale headlights

Another focal point of the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels Sale was an Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace, which sparked a bidding war that finally culminated in a bid of over HK$80 million, and a bejewelled bracelet once belonging to Princess Margaret of Great Britain that raked in HK$1.6 million. 

Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels Sale - Princess Margaret's 21st birthday gift

Precious Pink Jewels: The delicate hue that’s just right for you…

In recent years, an undeniable new trend has risen to the fore of the world of haute joaillerie – the use of coloured precious stones in luxury jewellery designs. Indeed, the more common white diamond seems to have taken something of a back seat to its more colourful brethren, gems embodying vibrant blues, reds, yellows and more. In particular, precious pink jewels have become something of a byword for understated elegance, a fact that the high-end brands have embraced wholeheartedly…

Asymmetrical Necklaces: Jewels that are matchless in their asymmetry

Ever since an enterprising prehistoric cave-lass first found a way to tie pretty stones on a string and wear them around her neck, women throughout time have looked to natty necklaces as a means of enhancing their allure by not so subtly drawing attention to their décolleté.

Asymmetrical Necklaces opening

While the tradition of bedecking necks with beautiful jewellery has endured to times contemporary, the preferred pieces themselves have come in a variety of different shapes and sizes across the ages. In the ’70s, for instance, it was the more layered necklaces that the ladies loved, while the ’80s saw chunkier, oversized designs become the favoured sub-chin chintz. More recently, yet another statement trend has shifted centrestage – asymmetrical necklaces. Embraced as a style that boldly proclaims the wearer’s edgy independence, such designs have already graced the super-shoulder areas of such A-listers as singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani and actress Emmy Rossum.

The key to rocking this particular trend, apparently, is to keep it simple. Inevitably intended to be statement pieces, asymmetrical necklaces all but demand to go solo, virtually compelling you to pare back your other accessories. Be willing to go with the flow, however, as a streamlined silhouette and the exclusion of loud prints and bold colours will ensure the structural details of your haute joaillerie design both elevate your bone structure and leave you exuding an air of utter sophistication.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

Prada adds contemporary motifs to fine jewellery

Italian fashion maison Prada has pulled back the curtain on an all-new line of gold and white gold fine jewellery designs that deftly combine iconic creations with a wholly modern flourish. Sure to tempt any discerning haute joaillerie aficionado – both male and female – the new collection is all sleek sophistication and grace.  

fine jewellery

Crafted from 18K gold and diamonds, this bijouterie collection – consisting of earrings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces – features an array of outré motifs including rock guitars, robots, hearts, roses, rabbits and more. The brand’s triangular logo in gold and diamonds is also strongly in evidence.

fine jewellery

Perhaps even more importantly, the gold and diamonds used to make this fine jewellery line were sourced from suppliers who have a Responsible Jewellery Council certification, denoting that the aforementioned materials went through all the processes – from extracting to selling – in an ethical manner.

fine jewellery

Now available at select Prada stores worldwide – as well as via the Prada online store exclusively in Japan, USA and UAE – Hong Kong’s jewellery lovers can find them directly at the brand’s Alexandra House store in Central.

fine jewellery

Sinostalgia

Be it from the nature that surrounds us or the age-long myths from literature, there is no limit to the things that inspire bijouterie. That being mentioned – we at Gafencu have put together some eclectic jewelries that take inspiration from classic Oriental traditions.