Shopping & Lifestyle

This story originally appeared in the September/October 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. Animal-inspired jewels take you on a journey across Africa’s rolling savannas, into the South African bush or to the wilderness in Australia. Rich yellow gold, detailed enamel and lacquer, and a host of earth-toned gemstones create lifelike, miniature pieces of art celebrating the diversity of wildlife. Van Cleef & […]

This story originally appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. There’s something about blue sapphires that jewelers find bewitching. Historically, blue sapphires have been associated with royalty and nobility, and thanks to the British royal family, it has made a resurgence in engagement rings. In today’s high jewelry, the more intense blue stones seem to radiate their own light […]

This story originally appeared in the July/August 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. When rendered in diamonds, opals and glittering colored gemstones, insects are more than welcome at a garden party. Anna Hu’s sensational high jewelry delights collectors with its intricate work and impeccable settings. In her butterfly ring, a wild mix of gems including opals, diamonds, moonstones and Paraíba tourmalines come […]

This story originally appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. Although it’s an unexpected base for fine jewelry, don’t overlook wood. Artisans elevate the humble material with fine craftsmanship, precious metals and, of course, diamonds. Brazilian designer Silvia Furmanovich specializes in marquetry, creating incredibly detailed jewelry and clutches from tiny pieces of hand-cut and hand-painted wood. Her cherry blossom […]

This story originally appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. One of jewelry’s most enduring traditions, carving motifs into precious gems, can bring a lightness to significant stones, as well as be simply breathtaking. Secret watches frequently incorporate carved stones that slide away to reveal the time. Graff is particularly adept at this, creating beautiful pieces that marry its […]

After speaking with American jewelry designer Paul Morelli, one thing became abundantly clear: my small-town Nebraska childhood was even less eventful than I remembered it being – at least compared to Mr Morelli’s childhood! While I went home after school every day to chores and homework, Morelli went to his father’s costume shop, which he says, “was filled with sewing […]

This story originally appeared in the March/April 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. There’s something sensual about draping oneself in beads of precious gems, which is perhaps why beaded jewelry is having a resurgence in recent collections. From high-jewelry line Chaumet Est une Fête comes a stunning suite: Aria Passionata. Drawing on the famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan, whose stage and […]

This story originally appeared in the March/April 2018 issue of Elite Traveler. Forget rock crystal’s costume-jewelry reputation. Recently, designers have been using the clear stone to showcase important gems in their high-jewelry lines, sometimes even letting it take center stage.Winter and whimsy feature heavily in these collections. Rock crystal’s transparency complements winter-inspired pieces, such as in Boucheron’s range that explores frigid […]

JB Star platinum ring with 3.14 carats unheated oval Padparadscha sapphire, 0.60 carats half moon diamonds and 0.84 carats round diamonds, $59,990, borsheims.com Padparadscha has always been a fan favorite among avid gemstone collectors, but my friend,  Douglas K Hucker, CEO of American Gem Trade Association, says it’s gaining fame and recognition outside the gem community as well. Known for […]

Oscar Heyman platinum Alexandrite ring with 4-carat Alexandrite and 1.69 carats diamond, $170,000, oscarheyman.com William Noble platinum ring with 3.81-carat cushion-cut Alexandrite and 0.92 carats diamonds, $96,000, williamnoble.com What could be more intriguing than a rare and beautiful gemstone with an interesting past? Image a Finnish mineralogist climbing down into the mines of the Russian Ural Mountains in the early […]