While Haute Couture Maisons went fully digital this January to show their collections, Haute Joaillerie epicenter Place Vendôme stayed loyal to tradition. Four jewelry houses invited Achtung inside to go up-close with their fantastical creations. Here is our jewelry editor Evelyn Tye’s selection of stunning necklaces, considered to be the most classic self-adornment with royal history.
House: Chanel Haute Joaillerie
Collection: Escale à Venise
Inspiration: A contemporary interpretation of Gabrielle Chanel’s Venice trips.
Our pick: Constellation Astrale necklace in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds, yellow sapphires and lapis lazuli.
Interesting fact: Coco was a Leo, as the lion symbolically represents Saint Mark the Evangelist, patron of Venice.
House: Van Cleef & Arpels
Collection: Sous les étoiles
Inspiration: Galaxies of stones, nebulae of motifs and constellations of savoir-faire.
Our pick: Halley necklace with interchangeable motifs in white gold and yellow gold with one pear-shaped fancy vivid yellow diamond of 11.29 carats, one pear-shaped DFL diamond of 3.26 carats and yellow and white diamonds.
Interesting fact: The collection is far from small – 150 creations.
House: Boucheron
Collection: A History of Style, Art Déco
Inspiration: The pure lines and the radical simplicity of the Art Déco period when women emphasized their femininity by wearing masculine clothing, low necklines, high-waisted trousers, long necklaces and short hair.
Our pick: Cravate Émeraude necklace in white gold with onyx and black lacquer details and an 8.02 carats emerald and white diamonds. It can be worn as a tie, a necklace, or even, after detaching its emerald heart, as a collar jewel or a brooch.
Interesting fact: It was first men who wore high jewelry as a symbol of power and fame.
House: Piaget
Collection: Wings of Light
Inspiration: A bird’s flight through the tropics.
Our pick: Chain Graceful Flight made of 18K white gold, set with a cushion-cut diamond (approx. 5.01 carats, E-VVS2) and diamonds. Convertible piece of jewelry in a brooch and in a ring. The chain can be worn in two ways.
Interesting fact: It is said wings in dreams represent freedom and creativity.
Title image: Typical jewelry work – adjusting. © Van Cleef & Arpels SA – 2020
