High Jewelry 2019: Chopard, Cindy Chao, and Dior

Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection this year was inspired by the many awe-inspiring facets of love. Presented by the house’s co-president and artistic director, Caroline Scheufele, “LOVE” made its first appearance at the Cannes Film Festival with 72 striking new creations. An official partner of the festival since 1998, Chopard’s dedication in the line echoes that of cinema—encompassing a range of emotions, showcasing true beauty, and shining with aesthetic richness. Inspirations for “LOVE” were found all around Scheufele, from plants and animals to humans and art history, all conveying a universal message of love. In the collection, we see a necklace and earrings set with heart-shaped tanzanites, Paraiba tourmalines, amethysts, and diamonds in light gold circles of ethical white gold and titanium. “LOVE” also welcomes a breathtaking 111-carat cabochon-cut emerald on a floral-inspired necklace, and solitaire rings featuring pink diamonds. The brand also continues its dedication to sustainability, incorporating new pieces into its Green Carpet Collection, such as a new cuff bracelet (that took 340 hours to create) with more than 25 carats of diamonds.

Cindy Chao’s new pieces are a true testament to her craft and artisanship. Regularly inspired by architecture and nature, her pieces embody an array of sculptural elements, emotional investment, and innate intellectual curiosity. Each piece entirely unique and hand-crafted, the breathtaking creations are one-of-a-kind, 360-degree pieces of wearable art. This year, she debuted four new pieces—The Marguerite Brooch, The Solstice Sculptural Bangle, The Emerald Ribbon Brooch bowtie, and The Pink Sapphire Architectural Necklace. Ranging from lightweight bowties to an addition for her bangle series, each piece dazzles from a flexible surface—a design conceived over six years. First molded in wax, the anodized metal surface spreads like a canvas for a constellation of diamonds and gemstones, like: the brooch’s 4.89-carat cabochon emerald; the bangle’s 12.51-carat conch pearl and 260 carats of diamonds and gemstones; the brooch bowtie’s 38.68-carat Colombian emerald and 2,600 diamonds and gems; and a constellation of 17 oval-shaped brilliant-cut vivd pink sapphires.

Dior is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Dior Joaillerie with artistic director Victoire de Castellane. “Gem Dior” is the largest collection to date for the house with 99 pieces, and it tells the savoire-faire stories of Italy in France through special stones and colors. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are juxtaposed with gemstones like spinels, tanzanites, rubellites, and garnets. Presented on models dressed in gowns by women’s designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, the new pieces caught attention for their unique attention to detail, cluster of colors, and unique shapes. A pair of Paraiba tourmaline earrings were not identical pieces, giving the set a fresh take on elegance; the Ticolore Anglais Ruby Ring wowed with a ruby, diamonds, and a collection of various pink, green, blue, and yellow gemstones; and other bracelets, rings, and earrings were trimmed on the sides with subtle diamond detailing.