Tag: Chopard

10 stunning jewellery pieces with carved gemstones

10 stunning jewellery pieces with carved gemstones

Jewellers, the world over, have perpetually been inspired by artists of a bygone era. Carved gemstones are a great example of what can be created when the two worlds collide. While the technique has been around since ancient times, carved gemstones can add an incredible new dimension to the realm of contemporary jewellery.

Historically, gem cutters have carved gemstones with mystical symbols or with inscriptions. The intricate marble carvings on temples such as the Taj Mahal, also provided a great source of inspiration for jewellers. In ancient Greece, stone engraving became popular in the form of deep-cut intaglios while the Romans, Persians and Egyptians turned rough gemstones into carved jewels which were then worn by members of the royal family.   

Today, the jewellery industry taps into the legendary carving technique with the assistance of modern tools to produce an array of high quality contemporary pieces.  From jadeite and emeralds to sapphires and tanzanites, our roundup of stunning jewellery pieces with carved gemstones will inspire you to add a touch of classicism to your modern day ensembles.

 

When it comes to summer fashion, florals never fail us. Check out our roundup of summer jewellery picks to help inspire your style this season.

Text: Hira Desai 

Go Big or Go Home: drop earrings are this seasons must-have

Go big or go home: drop earrings are this seasons must-have

While ear adornments are nothing new, when it comes to size, we’ve rather rapidly graduated from zero to XXL with statement drop earrings.

As the SS ready-to-wear catwalk shows are mothballed for another year, it’s clear that ethereal designs and delicate styling have given way to bold statement-making jewellery. Dominating the streets and runways alike, the abundance of shoulder-sweeping drop earrings has definitely – and deftly – brought a touch of glamour to the forefront.

Let’s be clear, we are not alluding to the kind of granny-style cumbersome danglers that could require ear lobe reconstruction, but to more contemporary ear candy of a style that is significantly more gravity-friendly and somewhat more stylish. From iconic gemstone chandeliers to large teardrop-shaped droplets, these eye-catching ear accessories are undoubtedly among this season’s recommended looks.

While at first, these somewhat presumptuous numbers may seem like a courageous choice, these drop earrings will add an extra dimension to your polished “power-look”. It is also one that such leading ladies as Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton are seldom seen without.  

In light of such sisterly endorsement, could we not assume that, rather than being merely a fleeting fad, this particular look is more in keeping with the currently fierce political climate, which has driven women to reach for bold, overtly feminine cues?

One thing is for certain, when it comes to elegant ear-wear, it really is time to go big or go home. So, pull your hair into a chic chignon and allow your drop earrings to do the talking – bolder, stronger and more on trend than ever before.

Have you ever wondered why you naturally reach for those studs or statement earrings, day in and day out? Check our guide to what your favourite earrings say about you.

Text: Hira Desai

Asymmetrical earrings: A mismatch made in heaven

Asymmetrical earrings: A mismatch made in heaven

Move over matching earrings, mismatch is the hottest new trend!

This year, the fashion runways and streets alike have proven that asymmetrical ear candy is here to stay. Although it’s unclear where the quirky style originates from, we can guess it may have something to do with the dozens of once-couple solo earrings we are all guilty of having scattered around of homes.

While the thought of an unconventional, non matchy-matchy pairing may have you quivering, there are endless ways to pull of this seemingly bold trend.

Whether you colour-coordinate earrings from different pairs or pull together a combination of different sizes or shapes, rest assured that you can make this fashion statement as big or as small as you would like.

So go ahead ladies, make the most of those sad-single earrings. Mix and match with mismatch earrings – we knew they’d come in use one day!

If you are looking to dip your toes into a trend that is likely to forge into the year ahead, check out our roundup of some the most luxurious mismatch earrings around.

 

Have you ever wondered why you naturally gravitate towards a certain pair of earrings? Read our guide to find out what your favourite earrings say about you.

Latest Chopard watches will entrance and entice enthusiasts

With over 150 years of experience under its belt, Swiss watchmaker Chopard continues to entice and entrance horology lovers by producing beautiful timepieces that boast intricate craftsmanship and technical expertise. Here are some highlights from the latest crop of Chopard watches.

L.U.C Collection

Several new Chopard watches have joined the ranks of its popular L.U.C collection, a line renowned for its handmade accents and mechanical complications. Targeting today’s gentleman enthusiast, there’s the playfully chic L.U.C Quattro, a limited 50-piece release outfitted with unusual Arabic numerals at 3 and 9 o’clock and eye-catching blue calfskin straps. Meanwhile, the L.U.C Grand Heritage Cru, encased in a more subdued 38.5mm white gold case, blends vintage vibes with modern flourishes.

Then there’s the L.U.C Full Strike. Replete with a mechanical minute repeater and encased in ethically certified Fairmined white gold, this timepiece is the perfect accoutrement for fashion-forward men-about-town.

Which brings us to the pièce de résistance, the L.U.C All-in-One. Available in rose gold with a nickel coloured face or platinum with a grey-blue face, these exclusive models both are bedecked with hand guilloché dials – a Chopard signature. With only ten pieces of each up for grabs, these are true collectors’ items.

Mille Miglia Racing Colours

New Chopard watches - Mille Miglia Racing Colours

Embodying the automotive spirit of Italy’s famed Mille Miglia race, these new Chopard watches come in a variety of car-inspired colours, ranging from ‘Speed Silver’ and ‘Rossa Corsa’ to ‘British Racing Green’. Outfitted with a mechanical chronograph movement, the limited-edition Mille Miglia Racing Colours models are available exclusively at Chopard boutiques and corners.

Happy Sport Collection

New Chopard watches - Happy Sport Oval

Celebrating 25 years since the launch of its iconic Happy Sport collection, Chopard has introduced several new models targeting today’s multi-talented women. First up is the Happy Sport Oval, which perfectly embodies the line’s sporty-meets-chic vibe. Blending a playfully casual shape studded with diamonds for a feminine flair, it’s the perfect all-rounder for lady watch lovers.

New Chopard watches - Happy Palm

But that’s not all. The latest slew of Chopard watches also includes another, more rarified model of the Happy Sport collection: the Happy Palm. This outstanding limited-release timepiece, featuring ethical Fairmined 18-carat yellow gold set with diamonds, perfectly captures the tropical spirit with its golden palm motif.

 

Fine-tune your outfit with these sparkly multi-coloured pieces

2018 is forging ahead with an all-singing, all-dancing cornucopia of multi-coloured enhancement. Whether you are looking to make a statement on a date or enhance an outfit for a work event, this colorful trend is your best bet. 

Stack multi-coloured gem and diamond rings and bracelets to bedazzle your outfit by day. When the evening comes, layer with different lengths, textures and styles of necklaces to create a show-stopping ensemble 

Need some inspiration? Check out our roundup of dazzling jewellery pieces in a beautiful kaleidoscope of colours. 

Check out our guides to layering necklaces and embellished earrings for more details on the latest jewellery trends.

 

Necks Please: A guide to layering necklaces

A guide to layering necklaces

This years fashion runways and street styles have proven that layering necklaces is one trend that the fashion world just can’t let go of.

Whether you are playing it safe with a simple layered piece worn with a pared-down blouse or going all-out with layers upon layers for an evening event, allow necklaces to be the spotlight of your outfit. New to the game? Here is our guide to layering necklaces: 

Personal jewellery

Start with the jewellery you already have and layer by length. Begin with your shortest chain and work up to the longest. Don’t shy away from charms and gems. They are your friends and layering necklaces can be fun! 

Mix it up

Once you are more comfortable with layering necklaces, step it up to the next level by mix and matching various styles. Try piling three unexpected necklaces together for one ultimate look. For example, start with a delicate choker or tighter necklace and add in some cute gems. Why not finish the look with a longer chain of pearls? Even the most random, unexpected combinations can look on-trend!

Shine

Once you have the basics down, you are ready to play with weights, textures and materials. Be bold, make a statement and mix together a selection of silver and gold necklaces, comprised of stones, chain links and sparkles. What’s more, you will find that mixing weights between thinner and thicker chains will prevent tangling. Pair this look with some statement earrings to tie the entire look together.

If you’ve been inspired to add a new piece to your jewellery collection, look no further. Here is a roundup of the top layering necklaces from luxury brands:

Text: Hira Desai 

Violet Tendencies: 2018 seems set for a purple(ish) patch…

Officially Pantone’s colour of the year, 2018 is set to be dominated by all things violet, with amethysts, sapphires and jade gems set to characterise runways and street fashions alike. Eagerly embraced by colour experts as truly replete with “ingenuity, originality and visionary thinking”, it’s hard not to wonder why Pantone’s iridescence-minded boffins took quite so long to plump for this clearly indispensable shade. It’s not as if the clues weren’t there.

Even Pantone concedes that musical icons as diverse and as chronologically-disparate as Bowie, Hendrix and Prince long ago flagged-up the varied brands of unconventional creativity associated with this particular blue-based purple hue. Hopefully incorporating the memorable expressions of individuality synonymous with these much-missed musos, we could be in for 12 months of conspicuous non-conformity, all of it – admittedly – violet-tinged.

It would be a folly most errant, however, to neglect the significance of Pantone’s decision to plump for this off-plum pastel as The Tint for Our Times. Indeed, as Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone’s executive director, so sagaciously reminds us: “The Pantone Colour of the Year has come to mean so much more than just what’s trending in the world of design. In essence, it’s a reflection of what’s truly needed in our world today…”

Should it turn out, however, that the wider world fails to aptly respond to Pantone’s careful, annual consideration of all things prismatic, churning out its usual fare of mass shootings, climatic cataclysms, premature expirations and dodgy commercial dealings, then it might well have proved better all-round had the New Jersey-based pigment-pickers opted for Sprout Green instead. We may never really know for sure.

Year of the Dog Watches: Top timepieces inspired by the Lunar New Year

As Chinese New Year wraps up, we look back at the best timepieces inspired by the Lunar celebrations. Here are our favourite Year of the Dog watches to look out for.

1) Breguet’s Classique 7145 Chow-chow

Breguet Classique 1746 Chow-Chow

At first glance: Breguet’s take on Year of the Dog watches is the Classique 7145 Chow-chow boasts a guilloche dial featuring a hand-engraved black Chow-chow – one of China’s quintessential breeds.

What’s inside: This extra thin (2.5mm) watch holds a self-winding calibre 502.3 movement

Why it’s special: Only eight pieces of this limited-release Chow-chow edition were made. Of those, only ONE will be sold in Hong Kong! A must-have collector’s piece.

2) Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi

Chopard LUC XP Urushi Akita

At first glance: The Akita canine gracing the dial of this limited-edition watch is a nod to 2018’s zodiac mascot. It was crafted using traditional Japanese Urushi and Maki-e lacquering techniques.

What’s inside: The compact 18-carat rose gold case is home to a self-winding mechanical L.U.C calibre 96.17-L movement.

Why it’s special: The extremely detailed lacquer work on the dial was created especially for Chopard by Kiichiro Masumura, the renowned Japanese artist.

3) Vacheron Constantin’s ‘The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac’ – Year of the Dog

Vacheron Constantin Metiers d'Arts Year of the Dog watches

At first glance: The latest addition to Vacheron Constantin’s annual ‘The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac’ series boasts a rather unusual ‘hidden’ dial. The engraved dog dial face hides four sub-dials: hours, minutes, day and date.

What’s inside: Calibre 2460 G4 movement powering four sub-dial complications.

Why it’s special: Available in platinum and rose gold, only 12 pieces of each are up for grabs.

Want to explore more Lunar New Year specials? Why not take a look at our round-up of CNY fashion trends here. 

Last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts for her

Every year, 14th February has a sneeky way of creeping up on you. Before you know it, you are giftless and unsure of where to find the perfect present for your wife or girlfriend. Guilty? Don’t fret; we are here to help with a round up some of the most luxurious Valentine’s Day gifts for her. 

Chopard hosts Happy Hearts exhibition to celebrate store opening at Elements

Swiss high joaillerie brand Chopard has just opened a new boutique at Elements. Chopard threw a star-studded cocktail reception on 12 January to announce the grand opening. 

Renowned actress Cherie Chung officiated the ribbon-cutting and lion dance ceremony, along with Chopard’s Artistic Director and Co-President Caroline Scheufele, Chopard Asia-Pacific’s CEO Stephan Ritzmann and MTR Corporation’s top brass Theresa Leung. The event also saw footfall by socialites such as Jessica Cambensy, Antonia Li, Veronica Lam, Elly Lam, Victoria Tang, Jason Chan and many others. 

To mark the occasion, the jewellery house is also hosting a Happy Hearts exhibition at the mall’s Metal Zone atrium from 12 to 21 January.

Featuring Chopard’s iconic heart’s collection, the exhibition is a tribute to the brand’s key motif of love. On display are long sautoir necklaces, pendants, bracelets, bangles, rings and earrings from the Happy Hearts collection. The showstopper of the exhibition was definitely the giant bangle tunnel, which provides great photo opportunities for guests!