Graff’s exquisite Carissa collection dazzled Hong Kong's high jewellery lovers
Collection from the high jeweller, inspired by the carissa flower, was on display in the city, along with the Graff Fascination wristwatch and other masterpieces
Founded by Laurence Graff 57 years ago, Graff Diamonds today has more than 50 stores around the world, including three in Hong Kong. And, in May, its flagship store in Central hosted the Rare Jewels Exhibition, where masterpieces such as the Graff Fascination and the Carissa collection were on display.
The Carissa collection is inspired by a flower – the carissa, which means “beloved” in Greek. This elegant five-petalled flower is native to South Africa. And in the gardens of Graff’s sprawling Delaire estate, set in Africa’s wine country, the carissa is painstakingly cultivated.
The Carissa collection comprises a bib necklace, cascading earrings and a chunky bracelet. As with all Graff pieces, the gemstones are the focus and there is very little metal visible. Every piece boasts serious carat weight – the all-diamond necklace is 98.02ct, the matching bracelet and earrings are 31.93ct and 17.58ct, respectively. Using exquisitely cut pear-shaped, round brilliant and marquise diamonds, the stones are arranged to display a lifelike 3D effect, much like real flowers.
There are four versions of the collection – rubies and diamonds, sapphires and diamonds, emeralds and diamonds, and all-diamond. The all-diamond version was on display at the exhibition.
But the true showstopper was the Graff Fascination. With an estimated value of US$40 million, it is one of the most expensive timepieces in the world, and Graff’s second-most expensive (after the Hallucination – a wristwatch entirely encrusted with diamonds and valued at US$55 million).
But the Fascination is no mere trinket. It is made up of 153 white diamonds of the highest quality and weighs a total of 152.96ct. The centrepiece is a large and rare D-colour internally flawless pear-shaped diamond of 38.13ct, cut and polished in-house.
The piece is convertible and can be worn as a watch, a bracelet or a ring. Keeping the central diamond in place makes it wearable as a sculptural bracelet, while removing the diamond and replacing it with a watch mechanism transforms it into a watch. Lastly, the central diamond can be inserted into a specially designed shank and worn as a ring. Despite its solid appearance, the bracelet is flexible and comfortable on the wrist, as every diamond along it is individually articulated.
As with all pieces of this calibre, the Fascination is the only one of its kind. For connoisseurs, the chance to view this outstanding piece was not to be missed.