STYLE Edit: Boucheron’s Vu Du 26 reveals Paris in a new light

Place Vendôme in Paris has long been known as a mecca for high jewellery, with many of the world’s biggest brands setting up shop there.

As the first jeweller in the Place, having moved in during 1893, Boucheron has its premier spot at number 26 – where Frédéric Boucheron was sure his diamonds would sparkle brighter on the sunny side of the street.

A renovation of Maison Boucheron was completed late last year and 26 Place Vendôme was celebrated in a new high jewellery collection, Vu Du 26. The celebration encompasses all of Paris, and has drawn its inspiration from the architectural attributes of the city.

The cobblestones of Place Vendôme, shining wet with rain, inspired Pavés de Cristal, where rock crystal paillettes and diamonds on white gold form a necklace, with pear-shaped pendant detachable to wear as a ring.

The very shape of Place Vendome is seen in an emerald-cut 32.5-carat beryl double ring bordered by diamonds. It echoes the Boucheron logo, as does the Taille Émeraude, a ring which layers yellow beryl on citrine on rock crystal.

All Paris comes within the purview of the collection. The “question mark” necklace, a Boucheron signature, is a circlet which does not close but which ends in a glorious flourish.

In Feuilles d’Acanthe, the flourish is a spray of acanthus leaves, which decorate many columns in Paris. In diamonds and white gold, the necklace is complemented by pendant earrings. The leaves are so delicately crafted, they might almost be moving.

Another classic “question mark” necklace drapes a spray of white gold and mother-of-pearl bay leaves, studded with pearls and paved with diamonds, interpreting the frieze of bay leaves on the Vendôme column.