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Christie’s Is Hosting its First Online Sale Dedicated to Diamonds—and Nothing Else
The 5 Luxury Women’s Watches We Love Right Now
Not a fan of those bulky, somewhat masculine, watches that are designed and produced with a gentleman in mind, but just made a wee bit smaller to suit a women's wrist?
We hear you. That's why we've shortlisted the latest women's watches, made for women, and selected a few of favourites. From bejewelled timepieces to chic, edgy varieties, here are 5 watches from Chanel, Graff, Dior, Cartier and Piaget that we are sure the ladies will take a liking to.
La Mini D De Dior
This La Mini D De Dior Satine is designed to be like a satin ribbon, and comes in a 19mm diameter steel case and Milanese mesh steel bracelet with a flexibility and sheen that makes it quite accurately a metallic fabric. The delicate watch comes with a pink mother-of-pearl dial and a crown set with diamonds. Meanwhile, its bezel is delicately accentuated with a textured pattern echoing the mesh bracelet's theme.
Chanel Mademoiselle Privé Bouton
Chanel pays tribute to the unassuming button in the most extravagant way possible with the Mademoiselle Privé Bouton. Gabrielle Coco Chanel held a fascination for military clothing and sailor’s uniforms, taking particular interest in their buttons, seeing them beyond its mere function and as adornments that punctuated suits. Accentuated by a golden braid, the black tweed cuff of the Mademoiselle Privé Bouton watch clasps unto the wrist via a pearl button that conceals a diamond-set dial. From the pearl, carved gold lion and Byzantine motif, to the camellia made in diamonds and the profile of Gabrielle Chanel -- each represent the maison’s symbols and celebrate its craftsmanship.
Graff Yellow Diamond Jewellery Watch
Touted as the most luxurious diamond timepiece this year, this jewellery watch by Graff features a dial fully set with yellow diamonds surrounded by 14 immaculate cushion-cut yellow diamonds and a bracelet set with flawless white diamonds.
Maillon de Cartier
The Maillon de Cartier, with its rectangular links, hexagonal dial, and bevelled brancard is Cartier's stunningly artistic, Art Deco-esque watch that is both edgy, chic and wonderfully feminine. This version is crafted in yellow gold, and its crown is set with a brilliant-cut diamond. The case and bracelet is set with 580 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling close to 10 carats, and comes with a black lacquer dial.
Piaget Limelight Gala
Piaget’s Limelight Gala with its sensual curves, cambered case and asymmetrical lugs that extend on either side of the case onto the bracelet, is inspired by the elegant spirit of the 1960s. Its modern interpretation stays faithful to the original design, with an integrated case and lugs combined with a swirl of exquisite gemstones, ornate dials, and sumptuous gold bracelets. This version with an aventurine dial has a bezel set with white diamonds using the Serti Descendu technique, and will be produced in limited numbers.
The post The 5 Luxury Women’s Watches We Love Right Now appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
The Statement High Jewellery to Obsess Over This Season
The latest gemstone jewellery designs scream loud colours and big statements. Think opals, pink diamonds, spinels, and conch pearls from jewellers such as Graff, Harry Winston, and Bvlgari.
Pink Diamond
The strongest naturally occurring substance on earth, diamonds were first referenced in Sanskrit texts as early as 400BC. Coloured diamonds, however, are extremely rare with only one natural coloured stone found for every 10,000 colourless diamonds. Factors that determine a coloured diamond’s value include hue, tone and saturation. Microscopic amounts of trace elements and distortions, pressure or carbon atoms interacting with an element can effect a colour change in diamonds. For instance, the presence of hydrogen creates pink, purple and red diamonds, while boron absorption results in blue diamonds. The mines where these rarities are discovered are quickly becoming depleted, making them even more heart-stoppingly expensive.
This Graff white and rose gold set ring flaunts a 5.63-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid purplish pink diamond, which is flanked by two fancy intense pink pear-shaped diamonds. Cut and polished from an extremely rare 13.33-carat pink rough diamond discovered at the renowned Letseng mine in Lesotho, it was purchased by Laurence Graff for over US$8.7 million (S$12.1 million), breaking the record dollar per carat price of any Letseng diamond.
Black Opal
This glittering “black” gem with a holographic effect sets itself apart from the other types of opals, thanks to carbon and iron oxide traces. Its unusually dark body tone also allows the rainbow-like hues to radiate more vividly than in lighter opals. Australia produces over 90 per cent of the world’s opals, with Lightning Ridge being the most prestigious and frequently featured in high jewellery for its rare black opals. They are so much harder to find now that an exceptional gem-quality specimen can fetch up to A$15,000 (S$14,550) per carat. The scarcity of this delicate mineral (its hardness is 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale) is further compounded by high fuel prices and lease fees that make mining very costly.
A ribbon motif highlights Tiffany & Co.’s unparalleled level of craftsmanship in this remarkable platinum-set brooch. Showcasing an oval cabochon black opal of over 37 carats with baguette sapphires and diamonds totalling more than 23 carats, this piece’s clean and organic aesthetics belie its complexity of craftsmanship.
Spessartite Garnet
Although most spessartites originate from Africa today, the vivid orange or reddish orange mineral got its name from Spessart, Bavaria, in Germany where it was first discovered. One of the rarer garnets, it is an idiochromatic gem, which means it is coloured by a fundamental element – manganese in this instance – in its composition rather than impurities. Combining a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale with excellent brilliance and sparkle, the gem is attractive to collectors as it is almost always completely natural and untreated. Since large, top-grade garnets are no longer found in mines today, one with a saturated pure mandarin orange hue is the rarest and most valuable.
This spectacular Harry Winston ring from the Winston Candy collection features a 16.69-carat oval spessartite garnet in a vivid mandarin, which is set on platinum in bold contrast with pear-shaped turquoise cabochons and scintillating round diamonds.
Imperial topaz
The most sought after and valuable natural topaz, this gem’s name originated in 19th-century Russia to honour the czar, as the Ural Mountain mines were a leading source of the stone. Like the colours of the setting sun, imperial topaz is defined to include yellow, red, pink, lavender-pink or pink- orange, with the natural pink variety being very rare. While orange, pink and red topaz now come mainly from Ouro Prêto in Brazil, fine pink topaz also hails from Pakistan’s Katlang area. It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, and is also highly prized for its brilliance and glassy lustre with few inclusions.
From Cartier’s High Jewellery collection Magnitude, the enthralling Mauna necklace showcases three bicoloured Brazilian imperial topazes –two octagonal and one pear-shaped with an ombré effect – weighing a total of 21.91 carats. Accompanied by diamonds, sapphires and rutilated quartz, the striking colours and design cascade like lava flowing from volcano.
Conch pearl
Beloved for their pretty hues, which range from white to pink to golden, conch pearls are among the rarest and priciest pearl types in the world. A calcareous concretion produced by the queen conch mollusc, the pearls most often used in high jewellery are pink and oval-shaped. The finest specimens also bear a flame-like motif and a smooth porcelain surface. About 10,000 conches must be harvested before a single pearl can be found, with less than 10 per cent considered gem quality.
The 2020 Black Label Masterpiece V Cameron Falls Earrings from Cindy Chao’s Aquatic Collection are inspired by Canada’s Cameron Falls, which is renowned for its pink hue in the rainy spring/summer season due to the region’s similarly coloured sedimentary rocks. The main highlights of this sculptural creation – a pair of natural conch pearls totalling 10.24 carats – are accentuated by lavish streams of pink sapphires and purple garnets set on anodised titanium. The movement of water is depicted by white diamonds and fancy-coloured rose-cut diamonds.
Spinel
This gemstone comes in a rainbow spectrum of colours that range from intense red and hot pink, to shades of blue and purple, and even grey and black. The most precious hues are ruby red from the famed Mogok Valley in Myanmar and cobalt blue from Vietnam’s Luc Yen mine. Spinel has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, and a signature property of the gem is that it is singly refractive. Light enters the crystal and only bends in one beam, resulting in it being more brilliant than rubies or sapphires.
Gracing this ring set in ethical 18k white gold from Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection 2020 is a 4.7-carat pear-shaped spinel, two half-moon diamonds and brilliants. Its crimson hue is so vivid that it is little wonder that red spinels have been long mistaken for rubies until modern-day technological advancements in gemology could differentiate the two.
Rubellite
Highly prized and priced because of its rarity and vibrant beauty, the rubellite hails from the colourful tourmaline family. With its name derived from the Latin word rubellus, which means reddish, it features trace amounts of manganese that gives it its colour, which varies from luscious red to violet to dramatic pink. This is one of the few gemstones where the presence of inclusions is a benefit. Mainly found in Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria and Pakistan, a genuine rubellite must hold its colour regardless of the light source.
A drop-cut 66.41-carat rubellite with outstanding transparency and intense colour steals the limelight on the Meraviglia collar from Bvlgari’s Cinemagia high jewellery collection. Set in 18k white gold, it also features 10 pear-shaped pink tourmalines and amethysts totalling 9.88 carats, five pear-shaped rose-cut diamonds of 5.12 carats, and 116.93 carats of dazzling diamonds knitted into a sensual, flexible and precious piece of lace.
Hawk's eye
Famed for its chatoyancy (the optical effect of a reflective band of light), this gemstone is a pseudomorph of quartz – a mineral that is replaced by another over time while retaining its external shape. Hawk’s eye is essentially an unoxidised form of tiger’s eye. Its formation begins when blue crocidolite is dissolved by quartz and traces of iron oxide remain. Less iron results in the blue hue of hawk’s eye, while more iron gives it the brownish gold colour of tiger’s eye. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, the colour of the opaque gemstone with a silky lustre ranges from blue-grey to blue-green.
From Chaumet’s collection of Trésors d’Ailleurs High Jewellery rings, a deep blue sugarloaf hawk’s eye takes centre stage on the Artemisia ring. Set in 18k yellow gold with rock crystal and brilliant-cut diamonds, the regal piece combines a sense of monumental splendour with intricate details.
Art Direction: Aaron Lee
The post The Statement High Jewellery to Obsess Over This Season appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Mesmerising High Jewellery Catwalk Creations
Hong Kong's ever-changing dining scene is constantly evolving.
So much so, that it can get a little difficult to keep track of it all, let alone remember to book and try the new restaurants that have caught your eye. From brand new concepts to fresh venues and additional locations, here is our guide to seven of Hong Kong's most promising new restaurants to try right now.
Well, what are you waiting for...
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This 28.86 Carat Diamond is Christie’s Most Expensive Online Auctioned Jewel
The largest diamond auctioned online by Christie's is a 28.86-carat, D-colour, VVS1, which is estimated to fetch US$1 to US$2 million (HK$7.75 million to HK$15.5 million).
Even without the lockdowns and social distancing, auctions have been transitioning into the digital sphere since the highly successful sales of Elizabeth Taylor’s inaugural auction in 2011. Live auctions offer privacy and flexibility in taking a closer look at items in detail with 100% anonymity. Now that we are in times where staying away from people is encouraged, online auctions have been soaring with new members registering online and boosting sales up 80% in general, with a sell through rate of up to 99%, according to Christie’s.
“As the jewelry auction market leader for over twenty-six years, our team continues to strategically innovate and bring to market the very best jewels for our clients. This year has presented unprecedented circumstances, enabling Christie’s new opportunities through our enhanced digital platform. Recognising greater client confidence, we are proud to announce the highest valued lot ever to be offered for sale in our June 2020 Jewels Online auction.” -- Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry at Christie’s
In its upcoming online auction which will be held from 16 to 30 June, Christie’s will outdo itself with a whopping 28.86-carat, D colour, VVSI, emerald cut diamond. Estimated to be the highest valued piece ever to be sold for the house online, it’s expected to sell for US$1 to 2 million (HK$7.75 million to HK$1.55 billion).
The value of this diamond comes from the combination of its colour, the highest quality of colour and transparency in natural diamonds measured by GIA. Belonging to the Type IIa category, it is the most chemically pure (less than 2% can reach this status) diamond of extreme quality. Not to mention, the sizeable gem, making these three qualities found in one diamond exceptionally rare. Lastly, the cut -- one of oldest in terms of traditions -- which is the step-cut emerald has fewer facets and is unforgiving when it comes to flaws and impurities.
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With the 28.86 Spectacular Diamond Ring, other hard-to-come-by pieces will also go under the "digital" hammer including a Graff Diamond and Sapphire Necklace of tapering openwork flower motif design (estimated at US$70,000 to US$100,000 or HK$543,000 to HK$775,000); a Kutchinsky Cuff Bracelet featuring pear-shaped emeralds and round yellow diamonds on a field of white diamond pave (estimated at US$30,000 to US$50,000 or HK$233,000 to HK$388,000); and a Van Cleef & Arpels Brooch in the style of a four leaf clover with chrysoprase petals, centring on a round diamond and sculpted gold pistil (estimated at US$6,000 to US$8,000 or HK$47,000 to HK$62,000).
The online showing room will be open 16-30 June 2020 at www.christies.com.
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Be Dazzled by Graff’s Latest Bridal Campaign
Graff's latest Bridal Campaign is nothing short of breathtaking given its current selection of bridal jewellery.
Choosing an engagement ring and wedding band is not like selecting any other piece of jewellery. Much like choosing your significant other, it is a careful decision that will be everlasting and particularly meaningful. For the bride, it is a dream come true to be graced in the brilliance of fabulous jewels on her big day and the love of a lifetime should be celebrated in the most opulent way. Graff has honored this sentiment by launching its latest #FallInLoveWithGraff bridal campaign featuring the finest diamonds in a series of stunning designs that have been perfected by the House since 1960.
Presenting a range of styles from signature wedding bands and engagement rings to scintillating tiaras, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, Graff’s latest campaign captures the blissful glow of a bride as she starts a new chapter with her one and only. Each diamond is hand-picked by a member of the Graff family and handcrafted by experienced artisans in Graff’s London workshop. Aside from classic designs, novelties such as the Threads and Bow collections are also featured, giving the classic bridal look a feminine touch with British flair.
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A beautiful bride wears an oval shaped engagement ring in Graff's promise setting.[/caption]
The ancient romans believed that the vein running through the fourth finger of the left hand led directly to the heart and wore a ring over this ‘vena amoris’, which is Latin for ‘the vein of love,’ to symbolize their commitment. Graff’s latest campaign presents seven exclusive engagement ring settings that are each inspired by legendary diamonds passed through the House and Mr. Laurence Graff OBE’s passion for diamonds, providing plenty of choice for the modern couple. From the Promise, Flame, Icon, Constellation, Paragon and Legacy settings that pay tribute to history-making diamonds, to the Laurence Graff Signature setting honouring the diamantaire’s passion for the world’s finest diamonds, every distinctive engagement setting embodies Graff’s signature stone-led craftsmanship. Graff’s craftsmen take many years to hone their ability in order to enhance and complement the innate beauty of a stone, allowing every ring to cradle a diamond’s unique silhouette, with maximum amount of light to reflect and amplify its natural brilliance.
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A couple wearing Laurence Graff's signature wedding bands and engagement ring.[/caption]
To build on its role as a guardian of love, Graff is also pleased to delight couples with a special surprise - from now until the end of June, couples will be able to enjoy a complimentary dining voucher from a partnering world-acclaimed restaurants upon purchase of a pair of Graff wedding bands and a classic solitaire white diamond ring, savouring the delectable touch of their Graff experience.
The post Be Dazzled by Graff’s Latest Bridal Campaign appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Graff Foundation Donates $1 Million to Covid-19 Fund
The Graff Foundation, a UK-based charity that supports philanthropic activities worldwide, is helping to fight Covid-19 in a big way. The foundation, funded by Graff, is donating $1 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund was set up in April 2020 by the United Nations Foundation... View Article
The post Graff Foundation Donates $1 Million to Covid-19 Fund appeared first on Elite Traveler.
Most Expensive Headphones
We all have a pair of headphones to listen to our music, and some of us are lucky enough to have some high quality gear. [...]
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Graff’s New Store in Paris Is Just as Luxurious as its Legendary Jewelry
It’s a Wrap: Essential Outfits and Accessories for Your Yuletide Getaway
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On model: Robe, skirt and flats Chanel | Sunglasses Oliver Peoples | Bag Fendi | On trolley: Clutch Dior x Rimowa | Luggage Tumi | Sneakers Sergio Rossi[/caption]
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Earrings with beaded rubies and round diamonds, necklace with beaded rubies and round diamonds, swirl ring with oval spinel, bracelet with emerald-cut rubies and diamonds Graff | Dress and clutch Bottega Veneta[/caption]
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Shoes Dior | Chocolates Godiva | Historiques American1921 timepiece Vacheron Constantin | Rouge Allure lipsticks Chanel | Bracelet Chanel | Mignardise necklace in pink gold and mother-of-pearl, Star signet long earrings Montblanc | Silk scarf Hermès | 30 Montaigne Bag Dior | Sunglasses Miu Miu | Contes D’Hiver earrings in white gold with round diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels[/caption]
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Serpenti earrings in rose gold with rubellite eyes and full diamond pavé; Serpenti necklace in rose gold with rubellite eyes and diamond pavé on the chain and head; Serpenti ring in rose gold with amethyst eyes Bvlgari | Dress Versace[/caption]
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Happy Hearts Wings earrings, necklace and bangle in white gold with diamonds | L´Heure du Diamant collection watch in white gold with opal and diamonds Chopard | Green carpet collection bag by Chloë | Sevigny Chopard | Dress Dior[/caption]
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Dress Dolce & Gabbana | Sandals Sergio Rossi | Necklace Chanel Eye & cheek palette Laura Mercier (in box) | Shimmer skinstick Fenty Beauty (in box) | Rabbit-fur doll Loro Piana | Edition no. 5 The Macallan | Bag Versace | Rouge Dior Couture lipstick collection Dior | Tenue de Soirée eau de parfum Goutal | Bangles Hermès | Beoplay H9 headphones B&O | Sunglasses Oliver Peoples | Face palette Nars[/caption]
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Outfit and accessories Gucci[/caption]
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Souvenir d’étoile earrings Montblanc | Constellation manhattan master chronometer timepiece Omega | Hustle cheek palette and studio 54 audacious lipsticks Nars | Dentelle secrète bracelet in white gold with mauve sapphire, turquoise, white mother-of-pearl and diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels | Secret wonder necklace with sapphires, aquamarines and diamonds Harry Winston | Fleur Impérial ring in white gold with one oval-cut red spinel, mauve sapphires and diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels | Secret cluster ring with sapphires and diamonds Harry Winston | Sunglasses Coach[/caption]
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Happy diamonds earrings, pendant and ring in rose gold with diamonds; happy moon watch in rose gold with diamonds Chopard | Dress Hermès[/caption]
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Multi-shape diamond bow earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring Graff | Dress Dolce & Gabbana[/caption]
Photography Until Chan at UC Workshop
Styling See So
Hair Heather Cheng
Make-Up Christ Lam
Mode; Nathaly K at Quest Models
Poodle Coco Lung
Location Rosewood Hong Kong
The post It’s a Wrap: Essential Outfits and Accessories for Your Yuletide Getaway appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
The Many Facets of the Classic Engagement Ring
Shopping for an engagement ring is one of the most daunting and serious purchases one can make – it is after all to commemorate a lifetime commitment. Considering the magnitude of this gesture, the importance of the engagement ring warrants thorough consideration. To make life (and life decisions) a little simpler, we break down the reasons why a classic diamond ring is what brides-to-be dream of.
For as long as rings have existed, the Solitaire setting has been around. Still the most popular style of engagement rings today, the solitaire design emphasises on the beauty of the stone – the same deeply rooted values ingrained at the luxury jeweller, Graff, who has dedicated over half a century in revealing the fullest potential of every stone.
As the most fabulous jeweller in the world, Graff has always been driven by a passion for diamonds. Renowned for the prowess in bringing out the natural beauty of gemstones through cutting and polishing, Graff comes to mind when in search for the perfect diamond. This is why their Laurence Graff Signature Collection continues to be one of the most sought-after designs desired by modern women.
Each and every piece from the Laurence Graff Signature Collection is handcrafted by master artisans to highlight the finest diamonds. The design features intricately crafted facets (in either polished gold or pavé diamond studded in varying widths) to echo the brand’s everlasting dedication to the love of precious gemstones. The minimalism and uniqueness of the band allows for flexibility when selecting the stone – from more traditional cuts such as the round, cushion and emerald, to more contemporary shapes such as the marquise, pear-shape and heart-shape; to the colour, clarity and carat that caters to the budget and preference of each individual.
The post The Many Facets of the Classic Engagement Ring appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.