Pink sapphires, what we’d wear to the BAFTAs, and Couture Week
What we loved at Couture Week, pink sapphires for Valentine's Day, Rachel Quinn's new collab with Gemfields, Aaron Jah Stone turns soulful jewels into a watch case and our fantasy BAFTAs jewels.
The Pink Sapphire Edit
Handmade in New York, these pink sapphire and ruby heart earrings channel the city’s effervescence in glorious technicolor, for Valentine’s Day.
Like a love bolt out of the blue, luminous pink baguette-cut sapphires trace the finger with Boochier’s characteristically playful use of bold colour.
The Forme Huggies by Jemma Wynne
Pink sapphires are fluorescent in these sculptural gold huggies, which echo the contours of the body. Just the right size to make a statement at the lobe without too much weight.
The soft geometry of emerald-cut rubies and pink sapphires chimes with the curves of a rose gold bangle, from Paris-born, New York-based Macadam designer Perle Adler.
The Beekeeper ring by Alex Monroe
Alex Monroe brings together a bouquet of pink, lime and orange sapphires, in a romantic ring which brings nature to the body in the sweetest of ways. Each piece is handmade in English workshops.
What we’d wear to the BAFTAs
Awards season is well underway, and with the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) coming up on February 16th, we’re looking forward to seeing who shines brightest on the red carpet.
After the spectacular sparkles of Paris Couture last week, we’ve been thinking about our fantasy red carpet jewels. Vintage gobstoppers? Modern and minimalist? It would all depend on the custom couture gown to go with it (indulge us here!) but perhaps we’d style our outfit around Chaumet’s Bamboo collection, unveiled last week in Paris.
Fresh and modern, the 10-piece capsule (more on the way in July) was inspired by a bamboo forest, conveyed with grace and movement in mixed metals and hand-carved gold, accented with black opals and green tsvorites, in a masterful mix of hues and textures. We’d make the diamond, tsavorite and opal necklace the focal point, with the tsavorite bamboo earrings, and the 7-carat tsavorite and diamond ring. We’d finish our look with the transformable brooch/hairclip in our hair… but it would all depend on that couture gown, of course.
Piece of the Month: The Lover’s Eye brooch by Rachel Quinn x Gemfields
The latest in a list of designer collaborations including Ruth Tomlinson and Margery Hirschey, LA-based jewellery designer Rachel Quinn has teamed up with Gemfields on a capsule jewellery collection. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the jewels are packed with her signature whimsical shapes and bright pops of colour, punctuated with Gemfields Mozambican rubies and Zmabian emeralds. And to support victims of the LA wildfires, Rachel will donate 10% of proceeds to the LA Firefighters Foundation and the Pasadena Humane Society.
“The collection is a playful, romantic, narrative journey,” explains Rachel. “Gemfields stones have had such a special journey into my hands that I wanted to do them justice.” The collection is structured around a poem written by the designer, exploring the different facets of love: “I wanted to widen the usual representation and capture the fear and vulnerability of love as well.”
Alongside the Lovesick necklace, a puffy onyx heart studded with emeralds; and the Lucky Love Token poker chip necklace, we adore the Lover’s Eye brooch. A ruby heart is surrounded by bright emeralds in a mother of pearl inlay eye, finished with a perfect opal tear; an expression of the bittersweet journey of love.
Rachel Quinn x Gemfields is available on Rachel’s site.
Aaron Jah Stone celebrates 15 years with his first timepiece
Cyril Bismuth of Aaron Jah Stone, Paris’ under-the-radar designer of soulful gemstone jewels, is celebrating his first 15 years by entering new territory.
Over the last decade and a half, Bismuth has grown a dedicated following of collectors of his gemstone necklaces, made with intention in Paris. A favourite of Karl Lagerfeld – Bismuth’s jewels were worn by the Chanel inner circle – and beloved of Pharrell, his community of collectors has now gone global.
Drawing on Texan style and culture, Bismuth’s first foray into the world of watches is a hammered silver case designed to fit a 36mm watch, on a signature Aaron Jah Stone hardstone bead chain. Handmade in France, the case is pleasingly heavy in the hand and will be part of a limited edition of one-of-a-kind pieces. Sapphires, tourmalines and turquoises mark the hours, referencing Bismuth’s first love: the stones themselves, which have taken him on sourcing adventures around the world.
What we saw at Couture Week in Paris
Despite the rain last week, the houses that did show in Paris – some of the big Place Vendôme names held back in favour of other upcoming showcases – presented magnificent pieces, alongside newness from independent brands. Honesty Box’s top five.
Boucheron’s January collection draws on the house archives each year. Inspired by some of the more humble aspects of nature -- moths, thistles and ivy all featured –- the atelier put diamonds and mother of pearl to work in the magnificent Untamed Nature collection.
Charlotte Chesnais presented an inflated new interpretation of four signature pieces, bringing extra volume and colour with mixed metals and hard stone. The Mirage cuffs and Wave hoops stood out in a collection designed for comfort.
Graff brought a magnificent piece over from London for Couture. The Gift of Love necklace took three years and an incredible 2,500 workshop hours to create, referencing Aphrodite’s sparrows and finished with a 13.5ct removable yellow diamond drop.
Active for over 400 years, Mellerio is France’s oldest jeweller, but the brand has a knack for creating supremely modern jewels. In tones of blush pink, the Pierreries necklace draws on archive pieces and techniques.
Dior lead journalists through a flower-filled dreamscape last Sunday, for the Milly Dentelle collection. Victoire de Castellane’s designs were a profusion of colour and form, showcasing the skills of the atelier artisans, in micro-settings and lace-style openwork in tribute to Mr Dior’s home in Milly-la-Foret outside Paris.
What’s on…
Fashion Month kicks off with New York Fashion week February 6, and after Paris in October, Melee the Show is back for 2025 with a show in New York, February 1st-3rd, before heading down to Tucson, Arizona, Feb 5-7, with a host of new designers including Siri Hansdotter and Seth Michael… NYFW will also see the opening of Spinelli Kilcollin’s new flagship store on Crosby Street… Nouvelle Box will be at the Hotel Chelsea, February 2nd-4th, with designers including Van Gelder, Rachel Quinn and more, ahead of the shows’ sixth edition in Paris, where Darren Hildrow and his team will be welcoming brands like Castro Smith, Lucy Delius and Aymer Maria… Goldrush will also be hitting Paris during Fashion Week, March 6th-11th, when Valery Demure and Javier Goggins will present jewels by Central Saint Martins student Dermot Fowler who won the Brandnew by Goldrush prize, alongside a line-up of emerging and established brands.
Thank you so much! Agree pink sapphires are under appreciated sometimes! Hence our 'The Edit' selection of pink sapphires!! Love the Aril Jewels target ring with pink sapphires!! Just gorgeous!!
Love seeing pink sapphires! Sometimes I think they’re under appreciated. Aril Jewels has such lovely pink sapphire rings! Have you seen them??