I love the jewelry industry because unlike it’s fickle sister, fashion, jewelry is not a commodity that loses its luster, gets tossed a box, and sent to Real Real. Generally speaking, jewelry and watches from notable French houses like Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels are not created for influencers to show on their feeds, but rather are meant to be well-worn, held and cherished for decades and later passed down to the next generation. They become part of your legacy and tells your life story. Acting as sentimental talismans they are kept close to the heart. They also retain much of their monetary value and are good investments.
A good time to invest in jewelry is your wedding when pulling out all the stops is guilt-free. Purchasing fine jewelry is something a bride deserves to do for herself. Why wait to be gifted? Nuptials are the perfect excuse to invest in a keepsake that commemorates the day you made your vows— whether you design a piece on your own or go with a ready-made piece from a favorite jewelry designer.
For some shock and awe in the world of trinkets, Paris in July is the place to be. Historic jewelry houses present their “High Jewelry” collections which refer to the most magnificent, unattainable, and exceptional one of kind pieces. Rare gems and metals are crafted into jeweled creations that are displayed at the jeweler’s Parisian shops for high-caliber clientele to view in hopes of a purchase. Afterward, the pieces travel around the globe displaying the array to more deep-pocketed clients while also showing off the brand’s design prowess.
Although the pieces are one of a kind, they can serve as dreamy inspiration for a wedding self-gift. When deciding on a piece opt for features or motifs that have a personal meaning and are part of your love journey. Maybe it’s the shape or cut of a stone you love or it’s the mix of metals—design or purchase a piece that has meaning for you.
Jewelry tells a story and it’s no different with the legacy jewelry Maisons. Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels’ history runs deep with a seemingly limitless wealth of celebrities and royalty who purchased or were gifted or designed a piece for a significant occasion. This sometimes becomes the narrative for the high jewelry collection. Other times, a new story becomes the theme. Case in point, Cartier’s “Sur Naturel” collection which launched this July.
For Cartier, nature is not as we see it but as we dream it. The “Sur Naturel” jewelry creations are uncanny takes on nature fashioned into a work of art. The necklace below is inspired by a surreal plant using two huge and exceptional beryls as its focal point.
The blue piece below is executed with brilliant-cut diamonds and 5 rare sapphires that mimic the movement of an undulating river.
The last necklace, (below) fashioned with diamonds, onyx, and emeralds, emulate an abstract snake. With one foot in the natural world and the other evoking a landscape of limitless possibilities, they created a fitting fairy tale for these works of art. Seeing the pieces on a model is a must to grasp the scale and beauty.
https://www.cartier.com/en-us/collections/jewelry/high-jewelry/surnaturel.html
Van Cleef & Arpels created a trio of more traditionally designed rarities inspired by former clients, Princess Faiza of Egypt, Marlena Dietrich, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
The original collarette ( below) made for Princess Faiza in1929 is called the Merveille D’émeraudes necklace and boasts 70.40 of Columbian emeralds which can be removed and transform the piece into an all-diamond version. This museum-quality piece is classic in its design and it is easy to imagine it adorning royalty.
The original collarette ( below) made for Princess Faiza in1929 is called the Merveille d’émeraudes necklace and boasts 70.40 of Columbian emeralds which can be removed and transform the piece into an all-diamond version.
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The RUBIS EN SCÈNE bracelet echos a piece purchased by actress, Marlene Dietrich in 1937 and wore in the Hitchcock movie, Stage Fright in 1951. It’s created with rubies and diamonds and is as substantial as the original in size, use of gemstones, and unique design.
https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/collections/high-jewelry.html
The final piece is a reflection of a gift to Jacqueline Kennedy by her husband, Aristotle Onassis for their wedding. Originally the earrings were made of cabochon rubies and diamonds with a detachable floral motif. The current version, called, Tendresse E’tincelante has two pear-shaped DFL type 2A diamonds for a total of 20.21 carats. The stones weigh in at over ten carats each and detach like its original inspiration.
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