COUTURE held annually at the luxurious Wynn Las Vegas is the most exclusive and intimate destination for the designer fine jewellery and luxury timepiece market. The mecca of design, where top-notch design houses get the chance to unveil their masterpieces, COUTURE once again proved why it is the pinnacle of the luxury jewellery world, setting the stage for the trends of tomorrow. Solitaire International handpicked some treasures for a discerning audience, showcasing the event’s most exquisite and innovative pieces.
The drop-dead gorgeous, linear structured earrings in platinum by Assael feature round Tahitian natural colour cultured pearls, suspending two half-moon rose cut diamonds on a base of spotted petrified wood. Alternative materials when used in fine jewellery play a complementary role to elevate jewellery to a new level. Pearls are making a huge comeback and so are different cuts of natural diamonds.
Among India’s homegrown brands two that have got global recognition are Moksh and Studio Renn. Moksh is an established brand, with appearances in COUTURE and PAD London among other curated shows. The 18-karat finely matte-finished pearls and diamond necklace by Moksh (pictured below) terminates with a line of channel-set ruby baguettes suspending a circular pendant with a backdrop of woven Keshi pearls and a ruby and diamond floret in the center. The pendant is further beautified with bezel-set marquise diamonds, adding a touch of sparkle to the look. The brand had a collection of statement pieces showcasing a blend of woven Keshi pearls and fancy-cut diamonds set in yellow gold, a trend which Milan Chokshi, the founder of the brand, said is gaining significant popularity in the USA.
Mumbai-based avant-garde design house Studio Renn has grabbed the attention of jewellery aficionados the world over. A winner of the COUTURE award, Studio Renn’s co-founder and creative director, Rahul Jhaveri, believes in viewing jewellery as an art form and seeks inspiration from various art streams to bring commonly found objects to life, elevating them into wearable art—a combination of contemporary form and innovative ways of setting gemstones. At the recently concluded show, he was once again nominated for the Best in Diamonds Below $40K category.
The Crocodile earrings by Studio Renn are crafted in 18-karat blackened white gold and adorned with Zambian emeralds and diamonds. Inspired by the semiaquatic reptile, the earrings feature an armour of exceptional emerald triangles that protect an underlying diamond skeleton.
Cyprus-based jewellery designer Maria Kotsoni displayed an array of handmade gold jewellery pieces, but the standout was a pair of earrings from her Eternal Waves collection. These earrings, appearing intentionally unfinished, seem to clash against the waves, a design enhanced with VS diamonds. Their sculptural feel reflects a theme close to Kotsoni’s heart.
Rishi Mehta of Diva Jewels introduced nature-inspired en tremblant jewels studded with a profusion of gemstones and diamonds. His Marvels of Nature collection comprised necklace sets, rings, cuffs, and brooches, that are especially trending these days. The versatile ‘Ruby Blossom Heels’ showcase different ways of accessorising this intricate floral motif, featuring rubies and diamonds set in pink-plated rose gold, which can also be worn as a brooch or a bracelet.
Parisian artist Lydia Courteille took inspiration from Mexico’s folkloric Huichol art, which emphasizes the communion of symbolic narrative and mystic shamanism. The necklace “Pair Of Deer” pays tribute to Marra, the essential deer deity in Huichol culture who provides food, life, and knowledge. The 18-karat open gold necklace features two deer heads and is adorned with diamonds, yellow sapphires, onyx, 45.46 carats of emeralds, and tsavorite.