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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.
Go Bold with These 5 Statement Jewellery Pieces This Summer
Hong Kong’s notoriously sweltering summer is most definitely here, and so are the fun fashion ensembles you cannot wait to put on, but are not quite complete without the proper accessories.
From oversized statement pieces, shoulder-grazing earrings to stackable bracelets and bangles, we’ve put together some bold jewellery pieces that will complement this season’s outfits.
Panthère de Cartier
Cartier’s Panthère, with its wild and feline design, has always been a revered collection which continues to stand the test of time. It’s seen many iterations through the decades but right now, we’re loving this architectural and modern take. This Panthère de Cartier ring is made in 18K yellow gold, set with onyx and tsavorite garnets.
HK$151,000 | www.cartier.hk
Chopard Happy Spirit
Chopard’s new Happy Spirit collection is every bit the fun and chic accessory to wear this season, with its “dancing” diamonds and clean lines. These bangles, crafted in 18K white ethical gold, make a great addition to your arm candy.
HK$63,000 | www.chopard.com
Dior Joaillerie Rose des Vents
If run-of-the-mill amulets just won’t cut it, go big and aim for Dior Joaillerie‘s Rose des Vents. Wind rose motifs that decorate Christian Dior’s childhood home are featured on small medallion-like amulets made in a variety of precious hard stones such as mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli, malachite, onyx, turquoise, tiger’s eye, cornelian and pink opal, are punctuated with diamonds.
HK$430,000 | www.dior.com
Tiffany & Co's Tiffany T
In the latest evolution of the Tiffany T motif, Tiffany & Co -- while hoping to give the classic model a fresh take -- stays true to its identity and legacy. Tiffany T1 combines the clean lines and graphic forms that make the "T" distinct, with a bold, diamond-encrusted style with a bevelled edge, an angular surface and a multi-faceted finish. Make an impact this summer by wearing this bold piece of jewellery.
HK$ 145,000 | www.tiffany.com
Chanel Camelia hoops
Inspired by Coco Chanel’s favourite flower, the camellia, Chanel’s Camélia collection manages to strike that perfect balance between femininity and edginess, thanks to its geometric curves and perfect symmetry. These Extrait de Camélia hoop earrings are made in 18K pink gold and set with diamonds, and could very well be the jewellery piece to take you from day to night.
HK$44,900 | www.chanel.com
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7 Gift Ideas for Dad to Make Father’s Day Extra Special
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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Ethical Jewels with a Conscience
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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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...
The post Mesmerising High Jewellery Catwalk Creations appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
LVMH Board Members Are Urging the Company to Reconsider Buying Tiffany & Co., According to Reports
7 Luxury Board Games That Double as Stunning Home Décor
Without a foreseeable end to isolation days, entertainment options are thinning out. Fortunately, traditional board games are making a comeback and we can now pursue this old-school pastime once more. Perhaps it’s the lack of human interaction, but a resurgence of physical games in the household is clear. So much so that puzzles and games are now also replacing magnum format coffee table books. Some of our childhood favourites now return as deluxe tabletop entertainment and swanky home décor. Ahead, a few of our luxury favourites to consider.
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From Stationery to Coffee Mugs: Tiffany & Co. Launches a New Homewares Collection
Luxury Fashion Brands’ Covid-19 Efforts
As the world battles global pandemic Covid-19 (the coronavirus), luxury companies are stepping in to make a change whether through donations or repurposing manufacturers to address the face mask and hospital gown shortage throughout the world. They are supporting medical workers on the front lines in several countries, and using their large global network to... View Article
The post Luxury Fashion Brands’ Covid-19 Efforts appeared first on Elite Traveler.
Tiffany & Co donates $1 million for COVID-19 relief
When the world is grappled in the terrors of a virus, it is upon us to help and aid everyone to restore the balance of our world. Tiffany & Co., one of the biggest jewelry brand has come forward to do its bit. It’s astounding to see what alterations a virus threat can do which […]
The post Tiffany & Co donates $1 million for COVID-19 relief appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.
Tiffany & Co. Postpones the Release of Its New T1 Collection Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic
5 Jewellery Pieces as Good as Gold
Jewellery trends may come and go, but when it comes to gold you can be sure your precious pieces will be regarded as timeless classics. Similarly, during times of economic crisis, investors will always flock to gold. So why not have your bases covered (in gold), and invest in jewellery that you love and wear. From stunning earrings, cuffs and rings, to chunky gold chains and more, we've curated a list of our top five gold jewellery buys of the moment.
Cartier Juste un Clou Gold Bracelet
Cartier's new Juste un Clou bracelets have been given a modern makeover -- slimmer and more stackable -- and now come in small, classic or large sizes. It is also available in yellow gold, rose gold and white gold. This particular one is crafted from 18-karat yellow gold and set with 20 brilliant-cut diamonds for that added luxury.
HK$32,300 | www.cartier.hk
Tiffany South Sea Golden Pearl Ring
This double band gold ring design by Tiffany & Co. combines a warm 18-karat gold and a lustrous South Sea white pearl. It's a classic style that can be worn day to night. Clean lines combined with curves make for a minimalist yet statement piece that will effortlessly glam up your look.
Approximately HK$11,650 | www.tiffany.com
Tiffany & Co., No. 7-8, One Peking, No.1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 3462 7148
Ippolita Classico Bastille Gold Necklace
Right on trend with the chunky gold chain is Ippolita's Classico Bastille gold necklace. Handmade in Italy, this polished 18-karat gold necklace features bulkier links for a bold look, but upon closer inspection has textured and hammered-finished links which reflect the light beautifully and delicately.
HK$39,810 | www.ippolita.com
Pippa Small Scallop Gold Earrings
Canadian-born jewellery designer Pippa Small has something of a cult following thanks to her striking and natural-style jewellery pieces. One such design that caught our eye is the pair of scallop shell earrings crafted by hand using 18-karat gold. The result is organic and feminine but without being overly so.
HK$7,880 | www.net-a-porter.com
Yvonne Léon Gold Diamond Ear Cuff
French designer Yvonne Léon's unique gold ear cuff is handmade from 18-karat gold and adorned with 0.40-carats of grey diamonds on a curved silhouette. Hugging the ear in the coolest way, this cuff appears like a stack of individual floating pieces for that trendy layered look.
HK$11,835 | www.yvonneleon.com
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