In Perfect Harmony

The first half of Résonances de Cartier collection has landed, and it’s an ode to rare and unexpected jewels, says CHARMIAN LEONG

- Charmian Leong

WITH OVER A hundred pieces, Cartier’s latest high jewellery collection is considerable, which means every one has to hold its own against a host of resplendent siblings. Each piece, says Creative Director Jacqueline Karachi-Langane, has its own rhythm on a spectrum ranging between serenity and strength. But the inspiration behind the Résonances de Cartier collection was to bring it all together in harmony — much like a choir.

High jewellery is a marriage between gemstone(s) and design, and while that has always held true for Cartier’s treasures, the former takes the lead here. A 42.13-ct cushion-shaped fire opal, for instance, steals the spotlight in the Lacis Necklace, flanked by small rows of brilliant-cut diamonds and held by a string of grey moonstone beads, black lacquer and onyx. “We’ve never used stones like these for our high jewellery, but the fire opal’s colour was so intense and its personality so astonishing that we decided to use it to illustrate the collection’s resonance,” shares Karachi. “It’s like the sun — so alive and full of energy.”