Elite Traveler November-December 2015

DISCOVER

elite traveler NOV/DEC 2015 ISSUE 6 52

Jewelry

Empress necklace 30 rare Burmese sapphires with 93 carats of diamonds

Art Deco glamour Paul Morelli

A work of art

It took an astonishing 28 years to source the sapphires for this necklace. This is partly because Burmese sapphires as so rare, but also because it is so difficult to find matching stones. Five artisans then spent an astonishing 1,500 hours crafting it. The brainchild of Alfredo J Molina, chairman and CEO of Black, Starr & Frost, America’s first jeweler, the necklace was given the suitably regal name of the Empress when it was released earlier this year. Completely one-of-a-kind, it features 438 diamonds with a 93.17 total carat weight and 111.9 carats of non-heated, natural Burmese sapphires. A true masterpiece. $4.5m, blackstarrfrost.com

Exquisite stones Stephen Webster

BERGDORF GOODMAN COLLABORATES WITH GEMFIELDS

To celebrate the opening of its new jewelry salon, Bergdorf Goodman has partnered with Gemfields and 20 jewelry designers on a first-of-its-kind collaboration. The designers, including Kimberly McDonald, Loree Rodkin, Pomellato, Paul Morelli and Stephen Webster, used Gemfields’ ethically- mined Mozambican rubies and Zambian emeralds to create the pieces that highlight the beauty of the stones. The Art Deco-inspired Morelli ring features a stunning emerald and emerald-cut white diamonds, while Webster uses rubies and white diamonds to create earrings that are part of his Magnipheasant collection. Ring, $49,000, Earrings, $49,000, bergdorfgoodman.com gemfields.co.uk

RENAISSANCE REVIVAL

Buccellati launched its new Opera collection during the Paris couture shows. Inspired by the Renaissance and the importance it placed on symmetry and natural beauty, a floral motif is repeated through the collection. We love the emerald collection with its yellow gold, emeralds, fancy yellow diamonds and white diamonds, reminiscent of stained glass windows and opera house gilding. Earrings, $125,000,

CLASSICS AT 40 We love John Hardy’s limited edition 40th anniversary pieces, especially this chain bracelet in 18 karat yellow gold, with 634 hand-cut pavé diamonds. Bracelet, $29,000, johnhardy.com

Opera collection The collection is inspired by the Italian Renaissance; the Teatro La Fenice in Venice

Cuff, $92,000, buccellati.com

Words: Kristen Shirley. Photos: Bridgeman Images