JEWELLERY – ALL THAT GLITTERS
Christmas and Chinese New Year are around the corner, so now’s the time to make a sparkly purchase for that special someone, says Robyn Tucker-Peck.
From Queen Elizabeth’s crown, which features the Cullinan I, the largest clear-cut diamond in the world, to the Imperial regalia of Japan, which includes a holy sword, mirror and jewel, crown jewels symbolise the power and continuity of a monarchy. Jewellery is a display of artistic expression but it’s also a symbol of personal meaning, and a decorative item to invest in, wear, gift, and hand down to the next generation.
Throughout history, jewellery has enhanced a wearer’s beauty and status, embellishing and distinguishing them and defining their cultural, social and religious status. In Victorian England, for example, fashion accessories such as fans, parasols and gloves showed a lady’s standing in society. During the early 16th century in Italy, hat badges were worn by civilian men of higher social status as a decorative item, while in ancient Rome, only certain ranks could wear rings.
Fastforward to 2021 and China leads the jewellery and watch market by sales revenue, followed by the US, Japan and India according to business data platform. Statista.com
Ready to be dazzled? We zoom in on some breathtaking pieces from some of the world’s most esteemed jewellery brands.
Van Cleef & Arpels
In 1895 in Paris, Estelle Arpels, daughter of a precious stones dealer, married Alfred Van Cleef, son of a lapidary craftsman and diamond broker. The couple shared the same values: a sense of family, innovative spirit and a passion for precious stones. Alfred partnered with Estelle’s brothers to open the first Van Cleef & Arpels boutique at 22 Place Vendôme, where the maison is still based. Its stunning high jewellery collections include Folie des Prés, Snowflake, and Brume de saphir collections.
The Folie des Prés collection was first presented alongside the “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” high jewellery collection in 2003. The Folie des Prés creations pay tribute to the diversity of nature in the play by reproducing the harmonious and seemingly random corollas of wildflowers.
Chopard
Founded in 1860, Chopard is one of the last family-run watchmaking and jewellery companies in Europe. Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of the maison, is responsible for the ladies’ collections and the high-end jewellery department while her brother Karl-Friedrich manages the men’s collections.
Since 1998, Chopard has been the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival and this year’s Red Carpet Collection, the Haute Joaillerie collection that Caroline designs each year as part of the partnership with the festival, offers 74 creations, corresponding to the age of the festival.
The inspiration behind the 2021 Red Carpet Collection is Paradise, with lush nature, both mythological and real, populating Caroline Scheufele’s fantasy repertoire. Here are some pieces from the collection we love. chopard.com
Harry Winston
Harry Winston once exclaimed, “Jewels are more than my love and my life; they are an insatiable obsession.” Winston’s enduring passion for precious gems was a constant throughout his life and served as the guiding light for all his endeavours. In the Winston in Love collection, the House of Harry Winston explores the intense feelings of love, consisting of 39 pieces, separated into four unique chapters: L – Winston Light; O – Winston Obsession; V – Winston Vow; and E – Winston Eternity. harrywinston.com
De Beers Forevermark
De Beers Forevermark has more than 130 years of diamond expertise. Every De Beers Forevermark diamond is natural and untreated and undergoes a journey of rigorous selection. Responsibly sourced, less than one per cent of the world’s natural diamonds are eligible to receive the De Beers Forevermark inscription, an assurance that the diamond meets their standards for beauty and rarity. Each year, only a select number of diamonds are discovered and represented in the Exceptional Diamond collection, with the Oscars and Golden Globes an opportunity to create unique statement pieces. forevermark.com
Jacob & Co.
The driving force for Jacob & Co. is creativity, and its offerings illustrates the brand’s desire to produce standout pieces that are staunchly different to what’s gone before. “I have to create,” says founder Jacob Arabo. “My dream has always been to invent things that haven’t been done before. For the brand, it’s about making the impossible reality.” Jacob & Co.’s mission is to create beautiful, spectacular and unique watches and jewellery. Its spectacular High jewellery collections regularly appear on red carpets adorning the wrists, arms and ears of the world’s most famous celebrities including Elton John, Rihanna and Cristiano Ronaldo. jacobandco.com
Graff
Founded by Laurence Graff OBE in 1960, the company remains a family business with Francois Graff, son of Laurence, as CEO and two other family members directing design, merchandising and production. Graff is one of the biggest names in the high jewellery world, discovering and crafting diamonds of brilliance and rarity. With its Tribal Collection, the brand brings the art of storytelling to poetic life. Launched last March to coincide with the Spring Equinox, which ushers in new life and light, the collection reflects the eternal beauty of nature. graff.com
