Notes on anObsession

by Olivier Dupon

BRIDAL SPECIAL

• May 2018 •

Messieurs, are you thinking of proposing soon? Mesdemoiselles, do you believe that your groom-to-be needs some guidance? Here are a few options from some expert jew-ellers who have mastered the bridal theme. Interestingly this selection introduces you to some independent practitioners, who each offer unique bridal renditions with the same (or better) service as any top luxury house. Above all, this is about out-of-the-ordinary, not-seen-on-everyone-else designs since what could be more special than a very spe-cial ring for that particularly special occa-sion. And of course, these jewellers will glad-ly match you with the right stones, to match any budget, while never compromising on the quality. All the above is guaranteed to receive a resounding Yes!

Olivier Dupon

Notes on an Obsession

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

Your journey towards a happy celebration should start here at 7 Carlos Place, a 19th century townhouse in the heart of Mayfair, London and the captivating realm of Jessica McCormack. Filled with an ever-changing array of contemporary art, antiques, and books, the multi-storey building is where you can choose from ump-teen beautiful jewels – from the coolest daywear pieces to the more exception-al one-of-a-kind high jewels – including the bridal collection of six adaptable de-signs. It comprises the Button-Back Ring (a signature setting of the house), the Daisy Halo Ring (a neo-classical design with a Georgian cut-down setting and blackened yellow gold), the Georgian Loop Ring (an iconic style of the house with intricate ‘knot’ details on the band and the collet), the Little Mermaid Ring (in-spired by the tale with tiny yellow gold scallop shells and a gently swirling band), the Cushion Cut-Down Ring (Georgian cut-down setting and scalloped gallery for

www.jessicamccormack.com

Signature Button Back Ring in 18K white and yellow gold set with one 1-carat brilliant-cut diamond; the Signature Bridal collection. POA.

Daisy Halo Ring in 18K yellow gold and 18k blackened white gold with one central 0.70-carat brilliant-cut diamond in scalloped cut-down setting, surrounded by 12 brilliant-cut diamonds (total weight 1.06 carats); the Signature Bridal collection. POA.

Georgian Loop Ring in 18K white and yellow gold set with one 2.10-carat brilliant-cut diamond in Georgian cut-down setting; the Signature Bridal collection. POA.

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

a paired down design), and the Classic Six Claw Ring (classic with a twist thanks to the double stoppers on either side of the stone). All these rings are very rea-sonably priced but of course they can be adapted to bear higher carat diamonds if needed. Lastly, for the ultimate experience, it is always possible to meet with McCormack in person and commission the ring of your dream.

“Bridal is the cornerstone of a fine jewellery business, representing 30% of our business of which a significant proportion is bespoke commission. In launching the Signature Bridal collection our aim is to present brides with a unique offering and high touch experience. It’s about the journey. Our engagement ring designs merge traditional Georgian techniques, modern and antique diamond cuts, with contemporary design. More than ever, clients want their ring to be reflective of their uniqueness, style, and personality as opposed to a gener-ic style that could be from any jeweller. The Signature Bridal collection celebrates a com-bination of iconic existing designs and new additions to the Bridal offering. Highlighting the traditional handcrafted techniques and craft that have become intrinsic to our design process”, Jessica McCormack observes.

www.jessicamccormack.com

The Little Mermaid Ring in 18K white and yellow gold set with one central 1.50-carat oval diamond in Georgian cut-down setting, and further diamonds (total diamond weight of 1.95 carats); the Signature Bridal collection. POA.

Cushion Cut-Down Ring in 18K white and yellow gold set with one 2.08-carat cushion-cut diamond in a Georgian cut-down setting; the Signature Bridal collection. POA.

Classic Six Claw Ring in 18K white and rose gold set with a 0.96-carat brilliant-cut diamond; the Signature Bridal collection. POA.

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

The delicate pastel hues and the crystal clear brilliance of Thomas de Montegriffo’s creations easily project one’s mind into a blissful and enchanted garden. Every as-pect of the rings evokes purity. From a physical point of view, it is achieved with only the best gemstones in their category, be it colourless or rare coloured diamonds (D or E for colour and VVS2 or above for clarity) and with a carefully planned strat-egy to position the various cuts and car-at weights in optimal formations. From an

aesthetic point of view, the central gem-stones are celebrated like precious blooms with their perfectly calibrated companions (either a delightful paving all around the base, or gemstones running down the band extending the shanks). “We focus on creat-ing individual pieces for each of our clients, often with rare diamonds and precious gem-stones, that are exquisitely made and unique to each owner”, de Montegriffo observes. “Clients come to us when they want some-thing no one else can have.”

www.montegriffo.com

Fleur de Lilas ring in platinum and 18K pink gold (talon setting for the pink diamonds) set with three fancy purplish-pink diamonds (total weight of 1.38 carats), 4 carats of oval and round diamonds and micro pavé detailing. POA.

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

“I think that clients are really looking for unique pieces now, where-as be- fore it was really more about the brands. We are also noticing a really strong demand for 1–2 carat fancy pink and blue diamonds, whereas pre- viously people tended to only consider white diamonds”, de Motegriffo shares. “The challenge is thus to find the stones, and the market for coloured stones is very strong. As for the design aspect, in our experience people remain fairly classical but still want that twist to make their piece unique.”

Ring in platinum set with one GIA certificated 0.9-carat fancy blue diamond, and marquise and round diamond detailing. POA.

Ring in platinum and 18K pink gold (talon setting for the pink diamond) set with one GIA certificated 5-carat fancy purplish-pink, VVS1 diamond and inter-changeable diamond micro pavé band featuring marquise, pear and round brilliants. POA.

Ring in platinum set with one 2.4-carat D, VVS1 cushion-cut diamond and petal micro pavé detailing. POA.

www.montegriffo.com

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

For something to more than meet your expectations, look no further! Jean Dousset’s business model is grounded in bespoke service. The great-great grandson of icon-ic jeweller Louis Cartier, Dousset has devised a non-traditional business model, where the core concept resides in the fact that he doesn’t hold on to any inventory. In other words, he doesn’t buy diamonds to then sell on to his next client. Instead, when a client approaches him, he sources the diamonds specifically for them. “I curate a selection of the three most beautiful diamonds within the client’s financial parameters and then let them choose”, he says. This means that when it comes to planning the design, Dousset accompanies you all the way to your dream ring. To top it all, and as a Dousset signature, all of Jean Dousset’s designs have a ‘hidden’ stone that is set at the culet of the central diamond.

www.jeandousset.com

Chelsea Pink Two-Tone Ring in 18K rose gold and platinum set with one radiant-cut diamond, natural fancy Argyle pink pavé diamonds (total weight of approx. 0.50ct), and one emerald as the Signature Stone®; La Vie en Rose® engagement ring series; centre stone shape is available in all diamond cuts; choice of diamond or alternative gem for the Signature Stone®. POA..

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

“The Signature Stone® was created by Jean to personalise your engagement ring with a thoughtful detail that only you know and to add yet another meaningful sentiment to your ring”, Dousset explains.

Eva Round Cushion Ring in platinum set with one round brilliant-cut diamond into a cushion shaped halo of colourless pavé diamonds (total weight of approx. 0.70ct), and one sapphire as the Signature Stone®; Seamless Halo® series; choice of diamond or alternative gem for the Signature Stone®. POA.

Halle Ring in platinum set with an emerald-cut diamond and two tapered baguette-cut diamonds (total carat weight of approx. 0.70 carat), and three diamonds as Signature Stone®; Three Stones series; centre stone shape is available in all diamond cuts; choice of diamond or alternative gem for the Signature Stone®. POA.

Victoria Ring in platinum set with one oval-cut diamond surrounded by a Seamless Halo™ of pavé diamonds, and one oval-cut pink sapphire as the Signature Stone®; Custom Design series. POA.

www.jeandousset.com

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

Lauren Curtin, founder of Lauren Addison, knows the worlds of fine and high jewellery inside out. After a brilliant corporate career presiding over the global marketing destiny of a prominent high jeweller, she decided to shift her focus to the pivotal moment that launches the destiny of couples. By found-ing a bespoke service, Lauren Addison, she accompanies the future bride and groom all the way during the creation of their wedding rings (or diamond piece of jewellery). The jewellery expert team equivalent of a glam squad holds the couple’s hands from start to

finish: “clients will have access to an in-house team of gemmologists, designers, and jewel-lers who revel in collaborating with each couple through the creative process”, Addison says. It is the ultimate bespoke service where guar-anties of excellent ethics prevail. The gem-stones are indeed ethically sourced from sup-pliers who pledge to uphold the guidelines of the Kimberley Process. “In addition, our di-amonds are fully certified by the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) and our creations are appraised for your assurance and conven-ience”, Addison adds.

www.laurenaddison.com

Round brilliant-cut white diamond Ring totalling 3.75 carats, crafted in platinum. POA.

Emerald-cut white diamond Ring totalling 9.23 carats, crafted in platinum. POA.

Radiant-cut white diamond Ring totalling 3.21 carats, crafted in platinum. POA.

Round brilliant-cut three stone diamond Ring totalling 2 carats, crafted in platinum. POA.

Round brilliant-cut white diamond Ring totalling 2.56 carats, crafted in 18K yellow gold and platinum. POA.

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

“What we offer is a luxury, customized buying experience. Today’s clients are looking for something unique, something personal and at Lauren Addison Jewelry, we strive to give them that. Our clients are involved each step of the way, from stone selection to design, customizing and personalizing their piece to suit their needs and styles. What they leave with is a piece of jewelry they will cherish, but also a sense of pride and accomplishment with having been involved in the process. It is this experience that sets us apart, and makes our clients want to share it with others”, Lauren Curtin ponders.

“When a client has a positive experience, they tell their friends and family about us. Most of our business comes from referrals, and that has served us well. An engagement ring is a significant purchase, and for many, a personal referral provides a potential client with a certain level of trust, right from the start, that they may not achieve walking into a larger retailer. They have seen our work and know they are in good hands.”.

www.laurenaddison.com

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

To this day, some symbols evoke love as a bond between two individuals more than others. Take the knot or bow. However this bond is not nec-essarily evident from the start so much as the element of complementarity is present. This is precisely what Morphée Joaillerie is address-ing with their new You Complete Me engage-ment ring. Powerful forces that unite are at the core of this clever concept that elevates the val-ue of commitment more than any regular ring. “Seemingly opposite forces may actually be com-plementary, interconnected, and interdependent

in the natural world”, Pamela Hastry the founder and head designer says. “From a physical point of view, without platinum the diamonds cannot be held, without the other half, a whole cannot be formed. From a metaphysical point of view, opposing personalities may seem conflicting, but may also create with a bit of acceptance, a strong bond and form of completeness.” Each ring needs two bands to exist and reunite an emerald-cut diamond that has been split in two; hereby following the same philosophical princi-ple of a yin and yang symbol.

www.morphee-joaillerie.com

(Top left) Engagement Ring & Wedding Band in platinum set with 0.80ct of diamonds; (bottom right) Engagement Ring & Wedding Band in platinum set with central diamond and diamonds (1.10cts); both You Complete Me series. POA.

May 2018, a curation by Olivier DuponBridal Special

“The platinum ring is balanced with diamonds on the band and the dia-mond ring is balanced with a platinum band. As in a relationship, recog-nising the complementary and accepting it as a part of oneself, creates oneness”, Pamela Hastry, a.k.a. Morphée Joaillerie, shares.

Engagement Ring & Wedding Band in platinum set with 0.80ct of diamonds; You Complete Me series. POA.

Engagement Ring & Wedding Band in platinum set with central diamond and diamonds (1.10cts); You Complete Me series. POA.

www.morphee-joaillerie.com