By Åse Anderson
Words are almost superfluous when describing the intricate high jewellery wonders that are unveiled at Baselworld each year. One-of-a-kind works of art that will never be replicated, set with the very best gemstones, the high jewellery on display this year was the pinnacle of craftsmanship and creativity.
We have already given you an exclusive insight into Secret Garden, the new high jewellery collection from Fabergé officially debuted at Basel, in a new video in which Maria Doulton meets Natalia Shugaeva, head of Fabergé jewellery design. Alongside it, Fabergé also unveiled the Summer in Provence high jewellery collection, which immediately transports you to the lush and sunny South of France. With the help of emeralds, diamonds and Paraíba tourmalines, the flowing shapes and textured patterns lend the jewels a feeling of light and movement, reminiscent of a breezy summer's day. An iconic Fabergé egg is also incorporated into a high jewellery necklace with a flower-embellished, detachable egg.
Fabergé jewellery exclusive: enter a Secret Garden of coloured gemstones in our latest video
A one-of-a-kind necklace set with a precious flurry of diamonds, rubies and emeralds was the star of the show at de GRISOGONO. In the spectacular and colourful style that we have come to expect from this Swiss master jeweller, de GRISOGONO takes its motto "The Beauty of Audacity" and turns it into a high jewellery necklace that plays with the cuts and textures of sublime coloured gemstones in a way that is utterly mesmerising.
Beloved by celebrities stepping out on to the red carpet, Chopard's Haute Joaillerie collection is always a feast for the eyes. These ruby and diamond earrings show off the Swiss jeweller's remarkable craftsmanship to perfection in a jewel that epitomises old-school Hollywood glamour.
If that's not enough to render you speechless, take a closer look at The Fascination, which shone out from the window at Graff. If ever there was a jewel that lived up to its name, this three-in-one transformable tour de force can be worn as a diamond ring, a bracelet or an opulent high jewellery watch. Boasting 152.96 carats of some of the world's finest diamonds, the centrepiece of this unique transformable jewel is an incredibly rare 38.13ct pear-cut diamond. Graff founder and chairman Laurence Graff referred to The Fascination as "a true celebration of our diamond mastery" and we wholeheartedly agree.
Celebrating 280 years of exquisitry, Garrard, which is officially known as the Oldest Jewellery House in the World, unveiled a new 14-piece collection at Baselworld. The Bow collection focuses on a motif that has been associated with Garrard jewellery since 1958 when the house created three diamond bow brooches for Queen Victoria, which are still part of the Royal family's jewellery collection today. The latest collection is a thoroughly modern reinterpretation of the bow motif, with contemporary pieces such as ear climbers and a double-finger ring. At the heart of the collection sits this spectacular high jewellery ruby bead necklace.
Finally, natural pearls are among the rarest gems in the world, and a new high jewellery necklace from Japanese pearl master Mikimoto incorporates no less than three of these wonders of the sea, the Melo pearl, the Giant Clam pearl and the Conch pearl, three extremely rare, non-nacreous pearls. The Naturale necklace highlights their lustrous sheen and colours by accentuating them with diamonds in a simple but elegant pendant design.
