September 2019
Unique jewellery from sculptural designs to creations using upcycled materials, at Top Drawer, Kensington Olympia London
The Top Drawer A/W 2019 trade event at London's Olympia in Kensington (held 8 - 10 September) is where retailers and buyers can seek everything from cutting-edge to classic designs, the new and undiscovered names to more established favourites on show. This is especially true if you're looking for extraordinary contemporary jewellery.
Unique jewellery from sculptural designs to creations using upcycled materials, at Top Drawer, Kensington Olympia London
The Top Drawer A/W 2019 trade event at London's Olympia in Kensington (held 8 - 10 September) is where retailers and buyers can seek everything from cutting-edge to classic designs, the new and undiscovered names to more established favourites on show. This is especially true if you're looking for extraordinary contemporary jewellery.
Contemporary sculptural designs from HSU JEWELLERY LONDON profoundly explores the relationship between the body and the accessory, according to designer Dorry Hsu. She hand-crafts elegant designs using precious materials such as gold, enriched with pearls and diamonds to produce wearable "visual poetry" for dainty statement pieces in her new "Touching The Invisible" range made with the unusual complex combination of intricate and dynamic textures to give the wearer a unique emotional experience.
Dorry Hsu graduated from the Royal College of Art, London in 2014 and has since set up her jewellery brand Hsu Jewellery featuring her own creations inspired by her artistic background in sculpture and 3D printing. Based in London, she creates handcrafted innovative jewellery out of noble materials (silver, gold) to explore the relationship between the body and the sculpture.
 |
| Photo by Lucia Carpio. |
Meanwhile at The TinSmiths (Kate HH Studio) left over tin sheets repurposed from unwanted tea caddies and biscuit tins have been recycled and turned into desirable eco-friendly jewellery. There are also jewellery made from aluminium, brass and silver. All designed and made in the UK from the North Wales company.
 |
| Photo by Lucia Carpio. |
While supplying to over 300 shops their range are also available online at their own website and also at notonthehighstreet.com.
Sotheby's auction of Magnificent Stones in Hong Kong April 2019
If size matters, the bigger the diamond the better. And it takes a mega star the likes of Lady Gaga to give it justice. Lady Gaga, who won the “Best Original Song” at the Oscar Academy Awards rocked in her romantic and intimate performance with Bradley Cooper, and brought the house down for sporting the brilliant Tiffany Yellow Diamond hanging from her necklace, a whopping 129.54 carat stone last worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
And so If money is no object and you are on a look-out for something spectacular to complete your jewellery collection, why not head over to Hong Kong on April 2 2019 where an auction of Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite took place.
 |
| Sotherby's / Michael Oldford |
This was one of only three oval diamonds of over 50 carats to appear at auction in living memory, says Sotheby's and the largest to be auctioned in over five years.
Prized by kings and queens for centuries and across civilisations, coveted by tycoons and moguls of the 20th century, exceptional large diamonds have become the ultimate collectibles for modern day connoisseurs, according to the press release from Sotheby’s.
This 88.22-carat, D Colour, Flawless, Type Ila, oval brilliant diamond is deemed perfect according to every critical criterion, and is estimated to be worth US$11.2 - 12.7 million).
 |
| Sotherby's / Michael Oldford Perfect according to every critical criterion, the diamond has achieved the highest rankings under each of the standards by which the quality of a stone is judged (‘the four Cs’). |
Patti Wong, Chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, said: “When you think that one ton of mined earth yields less than a carat of diamond, and that high quality diamonds over 10 carats are a rarity, the discovery of a 242-carat rough, of gem quality and exceptional size, is nothing short of a miracle. The perfect 88.22-carat diamond is a summary of everything: a wonder of nature, a masterpiece resulting from man’s ability to shape the hardest material on earth into an object of ultimate beauty and the most concentrated form of wealth, as stated by Pliny the Elder almost 2000 years ago. Sotheby’s Hong Kong has had the privilege to bring to the market some of the most important colourless diamonds in the past decade and we look forward to presenting this treasure to the world. ”
Describing the stone, David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman, International Jewellery Division, said: “For those who have had the chance to see the diamond, one adjective comes back: “breathtaking”. Barely any diamonds of this weight are known to possess the same exceptional qualities of purity and perfection as this remarkable stone which is so full of fire and blinding brilliance.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 2018
India set to overtake US as second biggest market for fine jewellery
The top 5 countries or economies – notably China, India, US, Japan and Hong Kong - account for 70% of worldwide jewellery spending according to research provided by Euromonitor International and are predicted to reach a staggering US$331bn by the end of 2018.
 |
| The country that brings Bollywood to the world, is now set to be a leading market for serious bling. Photos: Illamasqua India Fashion Week London |
Fotoulla Michael, Head Of Sales, International Jewellery London (IJL) said: “This research shows that the Indian market for fine jewellery has grown enormously over the last five years.
“There has been news in recent months about increased appetite for platinum, diamonds and also coloured stones, alongside the more traditional demand for gold jewellery. India’s growing domestic market will have a huge impact on worldwide jewellery trade,” said Michael, adding that Indian designers, manufacturers and gem dealers are welcome to the International Jewellery Week in London this session. They include Kohinoor, Karats & Carats, Videotron Gems & Jewellers, Spectrum Jewels and Lotus Gems.
Jewellery industry expert David Brough, concurred that India is a vast and growing market for luxury, notably for diamond jewellery. “Advertising campaigns in India led by groups such as the Diamond Producers Association (DPA), are bound to increase demand by the country's increasingly affluent consumers for diamond jewellery in the coming years," he said.
The figures from market research experts at Euromonitor International, highlighted that the Indian fine jewellery market will be worth USD $62.8bn, $4billion more than US retail spend which will reach $58.6bn, by the end of 2018.
The US market for fine jewellery has grown by 12% over the last five years (USD $52.2bn in 2014) but the Indian market has increased by a phenomenal 74% over the same period (USD $36.1bn in 2014).
More than 550 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors from over 50 countries are expected to attend the International Jewellery London trade fair.
August 2018
 |
| The late screen icon Elizabeth Taylor's priced diamond jewellery generated huge international interest when Christie's staged a major auction of the film legend's private collection in 2011. Photo © Lucia Carpio |
In the UK, the retail value of the fine jewellery industry rose for the fourth successive year to a high of GBP£3.2billion in 2017, according to Euromonitor International, rising to rise GBP £3.3 billion in 2018.
Karolina Zlotkovska, beauty and fashion analyst at Euromonitor International comments, “The decline in the British pound sterling, following the Brexit vote in 2016, was beneficial for fine jewellery retailers in the immediate aftermath. With a cheaper currency and plenty of stock, jewellery could be sold with a preserved margin to foreign customers happy to seize the opportunity.”All categories of fine jewellery: rings, neckwear, wristwear and earrings - have grown, with necklaces showing the largest (10%) uplift over the 2014 – 2018 period. Overall, rings are still the biggest category of fine jewellery sales in the UK, while watches saw the slowest growth with 2% retail value increase in 2017.
DIAMONDS ARE BRITS FAVOURITE GEM, says Gemporia.com
 |
| It’s official! “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” and British women’s favourite choice of gem to wear, according to research published today by leading UK online jewellers Gemporia (www.gemporia.com). |
As many women can tell you, diamonds are their favourite gem stone and latest research by an online retailer have indicated that to be true.
Also, according to Gemporia.com, Tanzanite (discovered in 1967) is a close second choice for ladies in the UK.
Apparently women choose their stones due to the colour they like, and the classic looks.
 |
| One of the many wall murals of Elizabeth Taylor at a Christie's exhibition in London in 2011. |
The research was conducted Gemporia (www.gemporia.com) amongst 1866 women across the UK, aged between 18-80, and revealed that nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents chose diamond as their top gem, with even more in Wales (three in ten) choosing this as their favourite.
 |
| Despite Tanzanite being a fairly "new" gemstone, discovered in 1967, the blue gem has quickly become popular with modern stars and celebrities including Penelope Cruz, Cate Blanchett, Beyonce, Anne Hathaway and the Duchess of Cambridge. |
Whilst diamonds are ‘top of the rocks’, the blue Tanzanite gem was voted the second favourite gem (16%) across the whole of the UK but is the Number 1 gem for women in the South and South-West of England.
Other highlights of the research include:
+ Emerald is Britain’s third most popular gem (10%) followed by Opal (8%) and Sapphire (8%).
+ Londoners prefer Emerald and Amethyst as their second and third choice respectively.
+ Asked about their motivation for choosing their favourite gem, four in ten women responded because ‘they love the colour’, a further 14% stated because it looks classic, with women in the Midlands and Wales placing slightly more importance on the classic attributes (18%).
+ Women in London placed equal importance on jewellery looking classic and making them looking glamorous compared to other women across the country.
+ 12% of women across the country stated their favourite gem was chosen on account it was their birthstone with a further 8% said it has sentimental value
 |
| One of Elizabeth Taylor's priced diamond jewellery featured by Christie's for a major 2011 auction of the film legend's private collection. |
+ When asked which well-known person across the world they most associated with sophisticated jewellery, most popular (a fifth of respondents alone) voted for the late Elizabeth Taylor (NB – respondents were not given a multiple choice of names – an open response was required). The Duchess of Cambridge polled second and the Queen came a close third. Other women also highlighted as icons of jewellery sophistication were Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Jackie 0, Princess Diana and Victoria Beckham
+ In contrast when women were asked which celebrity is best associated with ‘bling’ Kim Kardashian was voted no 1– with Rihanna and Liz Taylor (despite the sophistication) also frequently named.
+ When asked which celebrity comes to mind with diamonds, Liz Taylor once again emerged as the name most associated with the gem, followed by Marilyn Munroe and Shirley Bassey
+ The research suggests that when it comes to self-gifting, shoppers are much more generous with themselves than with a family member or spouse – spending 47% more on self-gifted jewellery
+ Half of respondents said they are prepared to spend up to £150 if they are buying jewellery for themselves, with a further quarter saying between £150-300 and more than a tenth saying £300-500.
+ However, when it came to spending on family or friends, more than two thirds (67%) are prepared to spend up to £150 on them, with just under a fifth saying they would spend £150-300 and only 6% prepared to spend £300-500.
About GEMPORIA:
Gemporia is a British TV and online jewellery retailer, with turnover of £67.2m* (year end March 2017). Gemporia’s highly skilled gem hunters travel the world to find the finest ethically-mined precious gemstones, sourced directly from the mines whenever possible. Ethics and people are an integral part of everything Gemporia does, and in 2012 Gemporia set up the Colourful Life Foundation, an independent charity focused on improving health and education facilities for the adults and children who live in the areas it works.
Based in Redditch, Worcestershire, Gemporia was founded 2004 by Steve Bennett and his family. Gemporia is now an employee-owned business, with 75% of the business owned by trusts for the benefit of its 300 employees, with the remaining 25% owned by its founders.
Jewellery for dramatic effects from BaroQco at Paris Fashion Week
Forget minimalism and austerity if you want to take the cue from jewellery designers Imelda and Eduardo whose label BaroQco is best associated with the notion that to be unique you have to be different.
Presenting their Haute Couture jewellery creations this month at Paris Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2018-19, the designers celebrate their Dutch, Chinese Indonesian and Portuguese roots and embrace diversity as the foundation to their inspiration and creation.
The name of their label, BaroQco comes hails from the Baroque era when European cultural movement takes the turn from simplicity to lively and exuberant detailing.
According to the designers, BaroQco has a unique grandeur with an ability to surprise while achieving a sense of awe. Imelda and Eduardo started to create jewellery as they were looking for a tiara or crown for their wedding day and the search led them to creating their own and from there they expanded the range to include necklaces, cuffs and bracelets, and earrings.
Master painters like Vincent van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir inspire the designing couple.
« AS WE EMBRACE THE IMPRESSIONISM, WE STRIVE NOT ONLY FOR THE OUTER BUT ESPECIALLY FOR THE INNER-BEAUTY. IN OUR CREATIONS WE WANT TO PUSH BOUNDARIES OF ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES. AND THEREFORE THE BAROQCO IS A BOOK WITHOUT AN END. »
I literally don't have words to define the beauty of each and every jewellery piece and the way they are presented.
ReplyDeletediamond ring designs for female
engagement rings for women