https://www.scmp.com/rss/323268/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Wilson Lau Wilson Lau Market resilience was on full display at Hong Kong’s autumn live jewellery auctions, with leading auction houses reporting enthusiastic paddle activity and strong results. Successes were widely attributed to the exceptional quality of lots on offer as well as meticulously curated catalogues that appealed to collectors. The recent strong sales have continued the momentum from this year’s spring auctions as well as those of autumn 2024. Overall, auction performance over the past two years has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3332445/record-sales-hong-kongs-autumn-jewellery-auctions-sothebys-and-christies-phillips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3332445/record-sales-hong-kongs-autumn-jewellery-auctions-sothebys-and-christies-phillips?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun Creating a new diamond used to be a process spanning millions or even billions of years. Now, it takes about a week. Inside specialised factories, hulking 50-tonne machines simulate the crushing pressure and extreme temperatures inside the Earth’s crust, transforming seed crystals into flawless, glittering stones in just a few days. Zhongjing Diamond, a company based in China’s central province of Hubei, has nearly 300 of the machines humming around the clock, which together mint some 600,000... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3330244/china-churns-out-artificial-gems-diamond-still-forever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3330244/china-churns-out-artificial-gems-diamond-still-forever?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Oct 2025 22:00:14 +0000 Amalissa Hall Amalissa Hall Pink gemstones can be considered the “divas” of the jewellery world, thanks to their playful and vivid appearance, which is typically associated with themes of romance, femininity and royalty. While gemstones such as emeralds and sapphires have been traditionally considered more “elegant” choices for jewellery design, high jewellery maisons – including the likes of Mellerio, Louis Vuitton and Dior – are increasingly featuring pink and purple-hued stones in their latest collections. Rose quartz,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3310661/when-it-comes-coloured-gemstones-pink-way-go-diamonds-sapphires-luxury-maisons-dior-and-louis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3310661/when-it-comes-coloured-gemstones-pink-way-go-diamonds-sapphires-luxury-maisons-dior-and-louis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 May 2025 10:00:47 +0000 Not all newlyweds in China can afford a name-brand, natural diamond in today’s tough economy. But many no longer want one, anyway. Prices for natural gems have fallen worldwide, tainting their store of value, while synthetic alternatives cost far less and glitter just as brightly. “They don’t necessarily need something from Tiffany’s,” said Vivian Wu, a 40-year-old founder of the Shanghai-based diamond business Wei An Shang Mao. Wu still completes about 10 diamond orders per week, as she has for... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3291724/diamonds-are-plunging-value-around-world-china-blame?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3291724/diamonds-are-plunging-value-around-world-china-blame?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Dec 2024 10:00:17 +0000 As the holiday season approaches, the quest for gifts that endure gets all the more enchanting. Graff’s I Wish campaign captures this magic with an exquisite collection of jewellery that merges artistry with innovation. Established in 1960 by Laurence Graff, London’s “King of Diamonds”, the British jeweller has built a legacy defined by exceptional stones and fearless designs. What began as a diamond trading venture swiftly turned into a luxury powerhouse, with Graff now boasting over 60... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3287508/style-edit-model-andreea-diaconu-face-graffs-i-wish-campaign-dazzling-jewellery-holiday-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3287508/style-edit-model-andreea-diaconu-face-graffs-i-wish-campaign-dazzling-jewellery-holiday-season?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Nov 2024 02:00:12 +0000 Resilience prevails in Hong Kong’s high-end jewellery market, as evidenced by robust demand at live auctions for collector-grade fancy coloured diamonds, coloured gemstones and signed pieces from coveted international brands. At Christie’s Hong Kong’s Magnificent Jewels auction late last month, paddles went up furiously for the star lot, The Oriental Sunrise earrings, which eventually fetched HK$62.02 million. The earrings are set with a pair of 12.20-carat and 11.96-carat fancy vivid... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3287539/sothebys-phillips-and-christies-autumn-auctions-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3287539/sothebys-phillips-and-christies-autumn-auctions-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:00:35 +0000 Floral motifs have been at the heart of Van Cleef & Arpels’ designs since the early 1900s, with nature serving as a constant muse. From poppies to daisies, lilies of the valley to cherry blossoms, the maison has long captured the beauty of flowers in intricate jewellery, evoking the delicate essence of nature no matter the season. One stand-out collection, Rose de Noël, first introduced in 1970, even celebrates the resilience of winter blooms, offering a subtle yet powerful tribute to nature’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3286494/style-edit-van-cleef-arpels-unveils-4-stunning-rose-de-noel-pieces-celebration-holiday-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3286494/style-edit-van-cleef-arpels-unveils-4-stunning-rose-de-noel-pieces-celebration-holiday-season?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Nov 2024 02:16:34 +0000 NFL star Dak Prescott is stepping into a new chapter of his life. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback proposed to his girlfriend and baby mama, Sarah Jane Ramos, during the Dallas Cowboys’ bye week with a stunning 10-carat emerald-cut sparkler worth US$1 million and even enlisted his little one’s help to pop the question. In a carousel post of photos shared by the football player on Instagram, the couple’s eight-month-old daughter, Margaret Jane “MJ” Rose, can be seen dressed in an adorable onesie... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3283823/meet-sarah-jane-ramos-baby-mama-and-fiancee-nfl-star-dak-prescott-she-seems-prefer-watching-ice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3283823/meet-sarah-jane-ramos-baby-mama-and-fiancee-nfl-star-dak-prescott-she-seems-prefer-watching-ice?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Oct 2024 21:00:08 +0000 The closing of the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia was a significant moment for many passionate about jewellery. For Linneys, an Argyle Pink Diamonds Select Atelier, only a special creation was appropriate to commemorate its decades-long collaboration with the mine. The family-run jeweller therefore modelled its latest limited edition pink diamond creation – The Argyle Pink Quokka – after another of Western Australia’s icons, the adorable quokkas of Rottnest Island. “Jewellery often... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3279337/style-edit-linneys-ritzy-tribute-charming-quokka-and-argyle-pink-diamonds-love-letter-western?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3279337/style-edit-linneys-ritzy-tribute-charming-quokka-and-argyle-pink-diamonds-love-letter-western?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Sep 2024 02:00:14 +0000 The jewellery market provided a rare bright spot in 2023 even as most luxury investments showed signs of weakening. According to the latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (KFLII), jewellery stood out as the second-highest-performing asset class for the year, recording annual growth of 8 per cent and only trailing art. Jewellery’s value is, to an extent, an inherent one based on the precious metals and stones incorporated into pieces. “This makes it a great investment during periods of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3267985/why-jewellery-remains-shining-investment-during-troubled-times-year-drake-paid-us1-million-tupac?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3267985/why-jewellery-remains-shining-investment-during-troubled-times-year-drake-paid-us1-million-tupac?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Aug 2024 02:00:14 +0000 Few gemstones are as lustrous and uniquely saturated as the pink diamond. A wonder of nature, pink diamonds were first discovered in India during the early 17th century in the legendary Kollur mine, one of the largest and most productive diamond mines on the Indian subcontinent during the 16th to mid-19th centuries. A French merchant and adventurer called Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was the first to reference pink diamonds, describing in his travel notes a large pink rough diamond of over 200... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3248191/what-makes-pink-diamonds-special-and-where-do-they-come-most-are-dug-single-mine-australia-which?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3248191/what-makes-pink-diamonds-special-and-where-do-they-come-most-are-dug-single-mine-australia-which?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Jan 2024 06:00:19 +0000 There was a moment in Westminster Abbey just before Charles III’s coronation when South African opera singer Pretty Yende performed an aria wearing a suite of canary-yellow diamonds by Graff to complement her yellow gown. Fast-forward two months to Haute Couture Week in Paris – when all the major jewellers present their new collections – and Graff’s Paris flagship boutique was bursting with yet more yellow stones. The Sunrise collection brought together an incredible selection of rare yellow... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3246611/good-time-invest-pink-blue-or-yellow-diamonds-fancy-coloured-stones-will-never-go-out-style?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3246611/good-time-invest-pink-blue-or-yellow-diamonds-fancy-coloured-stones-will-never-go-out-style?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:10 +0000 There’s a time and a place for understated accessories, but high jewellery offers an alternative: the chance to make a statement. “More than ever, jewellery is a way of making a statement about your personal style,” says Céline Assimon, CEO of De Beers Jewellers. And how to shout that the loudest? “When you wear a diamond cuff – unlike when you wear earrings or a necklace – you can see it on your wrist. You can touch it and feel its power and protection,” she adds. “Cuff creations have indeed... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3245600/cuffs-bracelets-and-bangles-offer-maximalist-style-statement-high-jewellery-artists-de-beers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3245600/cuffs-bracelets-and-bangles-offer-maximalist-style-statement-high-jewellery-artists-de-beers?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Dec 2023 07:00:17 +0000 Jewellery artist Cindy Chao in September staged an exhibition at the Long Museum in Shanghai devoted to just one jewel. The displays shed light on Chao’s epic five-year creative process that culminated in the exquisite Amour Butterfly Brooch that marks the 10th annual creation in her Black Label Masterpieces series. Made for client friends, a couple, the butterfly features an elongated type IIa marquise-cut diamond set into ox horn, with two large Colombian emeralds and numerous diamonds in the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3241781/michelle-yeoh-loves-high-jewellery-brooches-and-so-do-men-sothebys-cindy-chaos-single-piece?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3241781/michelle-yeoh-loves-high-jewellery-brooches-and-so-do-men-sothebys-cindy-chaos-single-piece?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Nov 2023 07:00:07 +0000 The exceptionally rare Bleu Royal gem is set to become one of the most expensive diamonds ever sold by auctioneers Christie’s when it goes under the hammer on Tuesday. The Bleu Royal is the star lot in a series of sales in Geneva this month that feature items from movie history including pearls worn by Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando’s self-engraved watch. Weighing 17.61 carats, the Bleu Royal is the largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue gem ever to appear for sale in auction... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3240467/bleu-royal-one-most-expensive-diamonds-ever-sold-rare-historic-blue-gem-could-fetch-millions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/luxury-news/article/3240467/bleu-royal-one-most-expensive-diamonds-ever-sold-rare-historic-blue-gem-could-fetch-millions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:39:51 +0000 This autumn’s jewellery auction season has been dominated by colourful gemstones, with the lots capturing the most interest often dazzling in impressively vibrant hues. The palpable excitement at October’s live auctions here in Hong Kong reflects confidence among connoisseurs in the investment value of top-grade gems, particularly diamonds in natural fancy colours. The high prices achieved by these rare gems underscore the resilience of the upper echelon of the jewellery market. At Sotheby’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3239635/why-investors-are-going-crazy-coloured-stones-2023-jadeite-pink-and-blue-diamonds-are-trending-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3239635/why-investors-are-going-crazy-coloured-stones-2023-jadeite-pink-and-blue-diamonds-are-trending-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:00:19 +0000 Few jewellery houses are as synonymous with a gemstone as Graff and yellow diamonds. The British house was established in 1960, and after cultivating a reputation as masters of the craft, the brand made a striking foray into the world of yellow diamonds in 1974. It was then that the Star of Bombay – a historic stone – received the renowned Graff treatment. Re-cut and polished to enhance its natural colour, the 47.39-carat square emerald-cut stone was the first to be named by the brand’s founder... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228447/style-edit-how-graff-and-yellow-diamonds-forged-gem-partnership-founder-laurence-graff-began-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228447/style-edit-how-graff-and-yellow-diamonds-forged-gem-partnership-founder-laurence-graff-began-it?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Jul 2023 02:00:14 +0000 Messika’s latest high jewellery collection – Midnight Sun – draws inspiration from the bright lights and wild nights of 1970s’ nightclubs. And in keeping with its spirit, the maison has chosen French model and singer Carla Bruni as its ambassador to bring the collection to life. “With Midnight Sun, Messika showcases the fascinating history of these unparalleled celebrations,” says brand founder, Valérie Messika. “The night spots of the time were the culminating point of all the antagonisms and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228448/style-edit-messikas-70s-disco-themed-midnight-sun-collection-stars-5-electric-high-jewellery-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228448/style-edit-messikas-70s-disco-themed-midnight-sun-collection-stars-5-electric-high-jewellery-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Jul 2023 01:50:15 +0000 De Beers Jewellers, the pinnacle of luxury diamond jewellery whose tagline is “a diamond is forever”, launches The Alchemist of Light high jewellery collection at the house’s new Canton Road flagship store in Hong Kong. Now, the pieces can be perused in an intimate setting at the new Hong Kong store. The collection is a tribute to beautiful celestial light, inspired by the way a diamond interacts with the simple natural element of light. Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225179/style-edit-de-beers-jewellers-launches-alchemist-light-high-jewellery-collection-canton-road-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225179/style-edit-de-beers-jewellers-launches-alchemist-light-high-jewellery-collection-canton-road-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:00:17 +0000 Billions of years in the making, buried deep under the Earth’s crust in extreme heat and pressure, diamonds have long been synonymous with rarity and indestructibility. But when you remove that elemental interplay of forces, do diamonds still hold the same appeal? If the boom in lab-grown diamonds is any sign, there’s a niche group of buyers willing to forgo natural rarity to get practically the same product for a fraction of the price. Inside King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla’s coronation... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3220356/lab-grown-diamonds-more-sustainable-less-sexy-demand-growing-man-made-gems-among-gen-z-buyers-old?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3220356/lab-grown-diamonds-more-sustainable-less-sexy-demand-growing-man-made-gems-among-gen-z-buyers-old?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 May 2023 00:00:19 +0000 An extremely rare diamond called The Eternal Pink is expected to fetch more than US$35 million at a Sotheby’s auction, potentially breaking records as the most expensive price per carat ever to come to market. The 10.57 carat rock will go on show in Hong Kong this week and later will be exhibited in Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Taiwan and Geneva. It will be up for sale on June 8 in New York as the showpiece lot in a Sotheby’s jewels auction. The cushion-cut diamond, which is mounted on a ring,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3215810/will-eternal-pink-diamond-set-new-auction-sales-record-display-hong-kong-rare-jewel-set-fetch-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3215810/will-eternal-pink-diamond-set-new-auction-sales-record-display-hong-kong-rare-jewel-set-fetch-over?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Apr 2023 06:31:06 +0000 Looking to invest in some eye-catching pieces centred around yellow diamonds? From Graff’s dainty yellow and white diamond earrings to Cindy Chao’s show-stopper of a necklace, here are some of STYLE’s favourite statement pieces featuring from big-name luxury houses. 1. De Beers This twinkling and rare 11.65-carat, cushion-cut, fancy intense yellow diamond sits in the centre of a DB Classic solitaire ring, flanked by two white pear-shaped diamonds. Price upon request. 2. Graff Inspired by the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3208030/5-eye-catching-yellow-diamond-pieces-shimmer-sunshine-chanels-soleil-19-aout-necklace-and-chaumets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3208030/5-eye-catching-yellow-diamond-pieces-shimmer-sunshine-chanels-soleil-19-aout-necklace-and-chaumets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jan 2023 04:12:24 +0000 Wine and watches have long been high on the list of any connoisseur collector, but how about a skis and watch designer combo? Or high jewellery inspired by a smash hit HBO show? Read on to discover the latest in investible luxury wearables. 1. Fabergé Game of Thrones Jewellery In a move that’s surprising only in that it’s taken so long, say hello to the first official Game of Thrones high jewellery collection. Created by Fabergé in partnership with Michele Clapton, the show’s costume designer,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3206705/4-unique-luxury-investments-splurge-now-game-thrones-inspired-faberge-jewellery-and-iwc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3206705/4-unique-luxury-investments-splurge-now-game-thrones-inspired-faberge-jewellery-and-iwc?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:12 +0000 New jewellery pieces start out as personal treasures, chosen for personal reasons. Only certain of them may they be passed down to the next generation, having become especially loved or meaningful. But while a prospective heirloom doesn’t have to be a high jewellery item for it be cherished, it can be a savvy move to see a piece also as an asset to invest in for the next generation. “If something is to be considered an heirloom, it should possess sentimental value, the actual value is less... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3204945/how-choose-jewellery-pass-next-generation-rarity-sentimental-value-and-provenance-are-important?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3204945/how-choose-jewellery-pass-next-generation-rarity-sentimental-value-and-provenance-are-important?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Jan 2023 08:00:13 +0000 Oval-, pear- or square-cut gems seem clear enough, but what would you expect from a trilliant, trapezoid or tapered baguette cut? These are just three of the lesser-known treatments being applied to stones by designers looking to amp up and differentiate their work. High jewellery collections unveiled during the summer revealed plenty of familiar shapes. But we also saw a revival for the vintage marquise, a cut that dates back to the 18th century, with a beautiful elliptical shape and less... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3204371/bored-oval-and-pear-shaped-diamonds-high-jewellery-houses-cartier-and-chaumet-are-going-beyond?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3204371/bored-oval-and-pear-shaped-diamonds-high-jewellery-houses-cartier-and-chaumet-are-going-beyond?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Dec 2022 02:00:11 +0000 Stone cutting is one of the most intricate crafts in jewellery making. The job of a cutter is to identify a gem’s imperfections and choose a cut that will maximise the 4Cs: cut, clarity, colour and carats. A good gem cutter can both minimise a stone’s flaws and enhance the intensity of its sparkle by strategically placing facets. Even the slightest mistake can impact the value and beauty of a stone. The value of a gemstone is not defined solely by its carats – recutting an old mine or vintage... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3203569/inside-intricate-craft-stone-cutting-every-high-jewellery-house-fancies-different-cut-graffs-love?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3203569/inside-intricate-craft-stone-cutting-every-high-jewellery-house-fancies-different-cut-graffs-love?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Dec 2022 08:17:12 +0000 Pink diamonds have long been associated with love, romance and femininity. This, plus their great rarity, has given them revered status in the world of fancy coloured diamonds – just consider the flurry of bids from around the world when one appeared at auction in Hong Kong this autumn. It didn’t hurt that it was the Williamson Pink Star, “one of the purest, pinkest diamonds”, according to Sotheby’s. The 11.15-carat stone fetched an eye-watering US$57.7 million in October. But no one seemed... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3201704/why-are-pink-diamonds-so-popular-multimillion-dollar-sales-sothebys-williamson-pink-star-and-harry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3201704/why-are-pink-diamonds-so-popular-multimillion-dollar-sales-sothebys-williamson-pink-star-and-harry?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Dec 2022 01:00:14 +0000 The Fortune Pink diamond, an exceptionally rare giant gemstone, sold for more than US$28.5 million at auction in Geneva on Tuesday to a private Asian customer. At 18.18 carats, the jewel is the largest pear-shaped “fancy vivid pink” diamond ever sold under the hammer, Christie’s auction house said. The dazzling diamond fetched a hammer price of 24.5 million Swiss francs (US$24,615,150), rising to 28,436,500 Swiss francs (US$28,570,150) with the buyer’s premium added on. The bidding, which lasted... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3198952/asian-private-customer-buys-fortune-pink-diamond-us285-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3198952/asian-private-customer-buys-fortune-pink-diamond-us285-million?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Nov 2022 02:30:59 +0000 The record-breaking prices for top lots at recent high jewellery auctions in Hong Kong highlight the resilient demand of the ultra rich for extremely rare gemstones, particularly natural fancy-coloured diamonds. At Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in late April 2022, an intense eight-minute bidding battle culminated with the successful sale of the De Beers Blue, a 15.10-carat step-cut fancy vivid blue diamond, of internally flawless clarity grade. The rare gem fetched almost HK$451 million (or... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3180815/why-rare-gems-are-breaking-records-auction-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3180815/why-rare-gems-are-breaking-records-auction-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jun 2022 07:00:26 +0000 During the pandemic, auction houses observed a marked increase in sales of high jewellery. Numerous owners put pieces on the market, perhaps out of a wish to liquidate assets and invest their funds in the red hot stock market of the past two years – or potentially due to the realities of social distancing, with less and less opportunities to wear outstanding jewellery. On the other side of the equation, we also saw demand for fine gems and jewellery ascend in parallel with share prices. As the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3180014/how-pick-right-high-jewellery-invest-consider-buying-cartier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3180014/how-pick-right-high-jewellery-invest-consider-buying-cartier?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jun 2022 04:00:22 +0000 These days, the world can’t seem to stop talking about con artists thanks to Netflix’s back-to-back jackpots: The Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna. The first is about Israeli con man Shimon Hayut, who is shown to have conned several European women he met on the dating app, leaving them with harrowing debts after posing as the son of Israeli diamond conglomerate Lev Leviev. While Shimon’s isn’t really a relation, the Leviev family is a real deal with businesses that span worldwide and their... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3167580/move-over-simon-leviev-meet-real-chagit-leviev-sofiev?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3167580/move-over-simon-leviev-meet-real-chagit-leviev-sofiev?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Feb 2022 17:00:10 +0000 The beautiful, serene lotus flower has a uniquely powerful cultural resonance across Asia. Cultivated in the region for thousands of years, it is a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture, a sacred bloom in Hinduism and Buddhism, and the national flower of both India and Vietnam. STYLE Edit: Van Cleef & Arpels’ new exhibition reveals the beauty of nature Storied Parisian high jewellery maison Van Cleef & Arpels has long been fascinated by the lotus, using it as a source of inspiration for its... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3154872/style-edit-parisian-high-jewellery-maison-van-cleef-arpels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3154872/style-edit-parisian-high-jewellery-maison-van-cleef-arpels?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Nov 2021 02:00:22 +0000 Deep in the remote reaches of Western Australia, the world-famous Argyle diamond mine sits silent. Since operation officially started under owner Rio Tinto in 1983, the mine has been the world’s greatest source of rare pink, red, blue and violet diamonds, accounting for some 90 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds. For that reason, its annual invitation-only Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been a mainstay on the international diamond calendar since the first crop of gems were offered for sale... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3146653/style-edit-last-argyle-pink-diamonds-be-auctioned-historic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3146653/style-edit-last-argyle-pink-diamonds-be-auctioned-historic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Aug 2021 02:00:18 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3135199/indian-instagram-project-celebrating-interfaith-and-intercaste-love?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3135199/indian-instagram-project-celebrating-interfaith-and-intercaste-love?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 May 2021 08:00:11 +0000 The different directions are as sharp as the angles on a multifaceted brilliant. Pandora, the Danish company that makes more jewellery than anyone else in the world, most of it inexpensive, has announced it will no longer use naturally mined diamonds. Instead, as a “testament to our ongoing and ambitious sustainability agenda”, said chief executive Alexander Lacik this month, Pandora would use only diamonds grown in laboratories. He used the occasion to announce the Pandora Brilliance range... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3134438/pandora-says-lab-grown-diamonds-ethical-choice-not-so-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3134438/pandora-says-lab-grown-diamonds-ethical-choice-not-so-say?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 May 2021 23:15:11 +0000 Nobody does diamonds quite like Graff. Even among the many brilliant stones in the world, Graff’s gems remain a cut above the rest. Founded in London in 1960 by Laurence Graff – the man often called the “King of Diamonds” – Graff has swiftly become one of the leading purveyors of the glittering gems, creating jewellery that many a woman would dream of owning. Its latest Tilda’s Bow collection, for instance, is a veritable daydream come to life. Before Lady Gaga’s inauguration moment, who else... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3121443/style-edit-luxury-jewellery-brand-graffs-latest-tildas-bow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3121443/style-edit-luxury-jewellery-brand-graffs-latest-tildas-bow?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Feb 2021 02:00:06 +0000 2020 has been a tough year, and that makes it all the more important that it end on a high note. Happily, Swiss luxury jeweller Chopard is offering a handful of lovely watch and jewellery creations – all made using ethical gold – that are bound to uplift spirits this festive season. Here we hand-pick the latest, most delightful, watches and jewellery from the house – whether you choose to gift them to a loved one, or to yourself, they are sure to bring nothing but joy. Nick Jonas to Harry Styles... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3113834/style-edit-swiss-luxury-jeweller-chopards-dazzling-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3113834/style-edit-swiss-luxury-jeweller-chopards-dazzling-christmas?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Dec 2020 05:27:00 +0000 Adorned with some of the most valuable works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Roy Lichtenstein, the Mayfair headquarters of British jewellery house Graff reflects its owner’s enduring love of modern and contemporary art. STYLE Edit: how butterflies inspired Graff’s new collection Laurence Graff’s avid collecting has often inspired the maison’s design team to create pieces dedicated to his favourite artists. One such tribute is the Inspired by Twombly high jewellery collection based on American... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3113794/style-edit-graff-dazzles-new-artistic-high-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3113794/style-edit-graff-dazzles-new-artistic-high-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Dec 2020 02:00:22 +0000 The undisputed king of diamonds, self-taught gemologist Laurence Graff discovered his passion for precious stones as a young apprentice at Schindler’s jewellery workshop in London in the 1950s, before setting up his own business in 1960. Over the last five decades, the house of Graff has established itself as the world’s leading diamond brand, with an exceptional network of suppliers, in-house designers and craftsmen. Renowned for its unique stone settings, the maison offers the perfect blend of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3109949/style-edit-elizabeth-taylor-and-oprah-winfrey-wore-graff?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3109949/style-edit-elizabeth-taylor-and-oprah-winfrey-wore-graff?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Nov 2020 02:00:16 +0000 Concealed within sparkling diamond brooches, snuff boxes and long sautoir necklaces, secret watches were all the rage in the late 19th century. Paired with rich velvet gowns and jewelled slippers, these timepieces were the perfect companions for ladies who believed it was rude to inquire about the time while at a soirée or other social event. Still favoured for their sense of mystery and ingenious creativity, secret watches have been an integral part of Van Cleef & Arpels’ gleaming legacy since... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3107806/style-edit-van-cleef-arpels-secret-watches-may-look?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3107806/style-edit-van-cleef-arpels-secret-watches-may-look?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Nov 2020 02:00:10 +0000 One of the rarest diamonds of them all, a yellow diamond has a special intensity and warmth that chimes perfectly with autumn. The power of the yellow diamond is not lost on our favourite celebrities either. Lady Gaga wore one of the largest and most iconic yellow diamonds – Tiffany & Co.’s the Tiffany Diamond – to the Oscars last year. She was following in the footsteps of another starlet, Audrey Hepburn, who first turned heads with the Tiffany Diamond in 1961. Here, STYLE introduces five... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3106827/lady-gaga-channelling-audrey-hepburns-tiffany-diamond?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3106827/lady-gaga-channelling-audrey-hepburns-tiffany-diamond?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2020 22:00:12 +0000 An exceedingly rare, and astoundingly large, diamond sold for more than HK$120 million at a sale by Sotheby’s Hong Kong on Monday night. The flawless, D-colour, 102.39-carat gem – about the size of a small egg – went to an anonymous telephone bidder for nearly HK$122 million (US$15.7 million) in an auction held online, a spokeswoman said. The auction was held by Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery in Admiralty on October 5, with online bidding having opened on September 15. Cursed gems: the world’s most... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3104292/flawless-102-carat-diamond-sells-more-hk120-million-sothebys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3104292/flawless-102-carat-diamond-sells-more-hk120-million-sothebys?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2020 23:00:17 +0000 In history, great wealth and riches have often gone hand in hand with great tragedy; some of history’s most substantial jewels are tied to horrific stories. Here, we look at three famous gems with a cursed past. The Hope Diamond Arguably one of the most famous diamonds in the world, the Hope Diamond has changed hands numerous times over the years, with many of its owners enduring a tragic demise during their ownership of the stone. The deep blue diamond weighs 45.52 carats and was first... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3104047/jewellery-such-british-crown-jewels-koh-i-noor-and-hope?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3104047/jewellery-such-british-crown-jewels-koh-i-noor-and-hope?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2020 22:00:15 +0000 It has been a nostalgic September for seasoned diamond collectors and connoisseurs across the globe. The source of 90 per cent of the most precious pink diamonds in the world, the Rio Tinto group’s Argyle mine in Australia, is closing this year. Over the past four decades, the legendary mine has produced 865 million carats of rough diamonds, out of which just over a million have been classified as pink, a rare variation that can fetch several million dollars per carat. Just as legendary is Rio... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3103089/style-edit-rio-tintos-legendary-australian-mine-source?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3103089/style-edit-rio-tintos-legendary-australian-mine-source?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2020 01:00:10 +0000 A symbol of eternal love, good fortune and transformation, the butterfly has long been a favourite motif of jewellers across the world. At Graff, it has been more than just a decorative design. Over the last few years, the London-based jewellery house has created numerous jewels inspired by the perfect and delicate form of the butterfly. STYLE Edit: Mix, match or stack with these classy Van Cleef & Arpels pieces Synonymous with the rarest and most valuable stones, Graff’s high jewellery... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3100727/style-edit-graffs-butterfly-silhouette-collection-inspired?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3100727/style-edit-graffs-butterfly-silhouette-collection-inspired?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2020 02:00:19 +0000 How did your partnership with Sotheby’s Diamonds come about? “I had wanted to work with Sotheby’s Diamonds for a while and then they approached me. It was mutual. They showed me their diamond selection and I sent them a few designs. “I wanted to start with nature. I started from seeds and pods; that’s where a lot of the shapes come from, like this ring in the shape of a cocoon that encapsulates a green diamond.” High jewellery is often associated with big pieces and older customers. What are you... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/fashion/article/3099833/why-diamonds-are-hong-kong-jewellery-designer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/fashion/article/3099833/why-diamonds-are-hong-kong-jewellery-designer?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2020 03:15:14 +0000 Over the years, Van Cleef & Arpels’ playful Perlée collection has seen several sparkling iterations in gold and precious stones. Characterised by intricately hand-polished tiny beads, the creations have their roots in the traditional gold beading technique used by the maison to decorate jewellery and watches since the 1920s. As part of a unique collaboration with three digital artists, Van Cleef & Arpels has recently given a whole new dimension to the Perlée collection through a series of short... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3099583/style-edit-how-3-different-digital-artists-created-stunning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3099583/style-edit-how-3-different-digital-artists-created-stunning?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2020 02:00:26 +0000 The Perlée designs have been a part of Van Cleef & Arpels’ glamorous jewels for over a decade now. Characterised by tiny, intricately hand-polished beads, the collection has its roots in the traditional gold beading technique used by the maison to decorate everything from earrings to secret watches since the 1920s. Over the years, the playful Perlée line has expanded with a range of offerings in precious stones and colourful combinations that can be worn individually or stacked together for an... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3098962/style-edit-van-cleef-arpels-new-perlee-collection-ring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3098962/style-edit-van-cleef-arpels-new-perlee-collection-ring?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Aug 2020 02:00:15 +0000 Butterflies have long been a part of Graff’s enchanting design universe and this year the maison has created some gorgeous jewellery pieces for its Butterfly Silhouette collection. Inspired by the beauty of a butterfly with its wings outstretched, the new line offers striking compositions of multi-shaped diamonds and clusters of pavé stones presented in minimalist metal settings. Be it the delicate dual finger rings or the stylish sautoir necklace, the new pieces are not just contemporary but... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3097383/style-edit-graffs-new-collection-reflects-delicate-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3097383/style-edit-graffs-new-collection-reflects-delicate-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Aug 2020 02:00:06 +0000 Back in the deep mists of time in, say, 2019, wearing a mask was unusual. In 2020? You’re not properly dressed without one. As Covid-19 has made face coverings part of our everyday attire, people are getting increasingly creative on what masks they choose to wear. From diamond studded masks to pearl embellished designer coverings, here are the most glamorous and crazy expensive masks we’ve seen from around the world. Does Billie Eilish’s Gucci face mask even help prevent coronavirus? A... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3095824/ariana-grande-and-lady-gaga-sport-blinging-face-masks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3095824/ariana-grande-and-lady-gaga-sport-blinging-face-masks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:00:23 +0000