Fine jewellery has taken a cue from the watch world by introducing high-tech manufactured materials alongside traditional precious metals and gemstones. The idea isn't novel: hard-wearing ceramics have been used to strengthen watch cases for decades now, with Apple recently blending ceramic powder into gold for the Apple Watch edition. But jewellers are creating a new luxury code by employing ceramic as a glossy foil to white diamonds, or turning to man-made stones set in natural golds for accessible, wearable jewels.
Milanese jewellery house Pomellato uses synthetic rubies and sapphires in hues of cadmium, orange or magenta for the Rouge Passion (opens in new tab) collection. Backed by mother of pearl, the cabochons have a creamy lustre and are set on bold cocktail rings, drop studs and pendant necklaces in 9 carat rose gold. These playful jewels have seen a strong response - the line is now one of Pomellato's bestsellers. CEO Andrea Morante points out, 'Using synthetic stones is pretty daring - no brand that is over 100-years-old could do that. But Pomellato's founder Pino Rabolini said that jewellery has to be something for every day.'
Older maisons are also experimenting. Earlier this year Chanel released the Cosmique de Chanel (opens in new tab) collection as a contemporary take on one of the house's most enduring motifs, the comet. This time, brilliant-cut diamond stars shoot across polished monochrome ceramics on chunky rings, pendant necklaces and earrings - a graphic update in tune with Chanel's philosophy of mixing high and low. Boucheron's relaunched Quatre White Edition (opens in new tab) collection of rings and earrings stacks layers of white ceramic between bands of yellow, white and pink golds and pavé diamonds. The company spent two years developing Hyceramic: more malleable than other ceramics, this sculptable alloy has been cut by hand into a textured band that resembles the cobblestones lining the Place Vendôme in Paris. A high-tech tribute to the home of fine jewellery, where synthetics have clearly found their own unique niche.
Milanese jewellery house Pomellato uses synthetic rubies and sapphires in hues of cadmium, orange or magenta for the Rouge Passion collection. Backed by mother of pearl, the cabochons have a creamy lustre and are set on bold cocktail rings, drop studs and pendant necklaces in 9 carat rose gold
These playful jewels have seen a strong response - the line is now one of Pomellato's bestsellers. CEO Andrea Morante points out, 'Using synthetic stones is pretty daring - no brand that is over 100-years-old could do that. But Pomellato's founder Pino Rabolini said that jewellery has to be something for every day'
Earlier this year Chanel released the Cosmique de Chanel collection as a contemporary take on one of the house's most enduring motifs, the comet
This time, brilliant-cut diamond stars shoot across polished monochrome ceramics on chunky rings, pendant necklaces and earrings - a graphic update in tune with Chanel's philosophy of mixing high and low
-
Fforme is the fashion label uniting European refinement with American easeAhead of Fforme’s presentation at New York Fashion Week on 10 February, creative director Paul Helbers, previously of The Row, tells the story behind its less-is-more approach
-
Sustainable architecture: innovative and inspiring building design
This is sustainable architecture at its best: from amazing abodes to centres of care and hard-working offices, these buildings not only look good but also do good
-
Out of this world beauty: the rise of skincare for space travel
Space tourism has prompted the development of skincare for space, with brands such as 111Skin creating products that respond to the cosmetic damage caused by life at microgravity
-
The stars align in Chanel’s new high jewellery collection
Patrice Leguéreau pays tribute to Gabrielle Chanel with the ‘1932’ collection
-
Peter Marino’s refurbished Chanel boutique reopens its doors in Paris
The Chanel boutique at 18 Place Vendôme is dedicated exclusively to watches and jewellery
-
Introducing Chanel’s new capsule watch collection, the Wanted
The Wanted collection adds a cool edge to Chanel’s much-loved watch families
-
Chanel marks 90 years of high jewellery with heavenly new necklace
The ‘Allure Céleste’ necklace nods to Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite celestial design codes
-
New Chanel watch for men revels in racing car chic
Chanel Monsieur Superleggera Edition makes for an exhilarating and elegant watch, inspired by racing car design codes
-
Chanel marks No.5 centenary with dazzling high jewellery collection
New Chanel high jewellery nods to the design codes of Coco Chanel’s original 1932 collection, and celebrates Chanel No.5
-
Boucheron unveils rainbow high jewellery
The new high jewellery from Boucheron sees precious metals sprayed onto ceramics and rock crystal at high temperatures for holographic hues
-
Rave on with Chanel’s electric new watches collection
Chanel has infused its new watches with bold colour in an irreverent rethink of classic designs
