The most important people in the jewellery business aren’t who you think they are.
There is a handful of highly knowledgeable individuals whose jobs are to seek out those fascinating stones – not just diamonds but emeralds, rubies and sapphires – for the most prestigious houses in the jewellery business. Every stone hunter’s modus operandi is interestingly unique. “When I buy a coloured stone, I appreciate it under three lights. I look at it in the morning, at noon and under evening lights, and it must keep the same colour at all different times,” reveals Boucheron’s Thierry Robert, who has spent more than 40 years sourcing for the Parisian brand. In his pocket is always a compass, which he uses to identify where the northern light is shining from. “Light coming from the north is clean and white. It is the best in which to value a gem.”
Are there any gems which Robert dreams of acquiring? “I’ve tried for years to get hold of a cushion-cut pink diamond bigger than 20cts,” he says. “There is also a Burmese sapphire and ruby, and a Colombian emerald which my father [who worked at Boucheron for 50 years] was extremely attached to. I would be overjoyed to see those again.”
Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av L'OFFICIEL Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av L'OFFICIEL Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SLEEPING BEAUTIES
Louis Vuitton releases two fresh versions of its Bed Trunk, which have been designed in collaboration with Nicolas Ghesquière and Pharrell Williams
TRUE BLUE
Back in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra motif was born.
WHAT MAKES A MAJESTIC ESCAPE?
The answer: These Harry Winston jewels, which are inspired by the breathtaking appearance of dawn in the Indonesian province of Bali, from the Majestic Escapes Collection.
Leaping FORWARD
Movements described as \"feline\" come with an extra element of grace and elegance.
Enchanted WOODS
A magical connection blooms right here as L'OFFICIEL SINGAPORE meets South Korean actress Kim Min-ha-dressed in Dior's Cruise 2025 collection, the Pachinko star shares why the series is so close to her heart and how she would love to fill her world with Haribo
Life of the PARTY
The new Andy Warhol Clou de Paris timepiece pays homage to the Piaget Society, celebrating the Maison's golden era
Best Foot FORWARD
Having always set itself apart by combining shoe-making and smart engineering, FitFlop goes a step further by announcing a new partnership with Song Hye Kyo. The South Korean star was so enamoured with the stylish yet comfortable designs that she handpicked her favourite styles for her ambassador shoot
Standing TALL
With its striking elongated silhouettes, inventive takes on couture, and clever tie-ups, the Balenciaga Spring 2025 parade couldn't be dampened even by the day's rainstorm
Extraordinary EVERY DAY
As SHANGHAI TANG celebrates 30 years, there is no better time to embrace the Friends of SHANGHAI TANG Collection and its touches of contemporary chinoiserie, timeless elegance, and joie de vivre
A City That NEVER SLEEPS
30,000 square metres, 10 \"designer neighbourhoods\", 10 unique Moncler Genius collections, and one stunning \"The City of Genius\" concept, in which one can soak in different artistic and cultural viewpoints of the diverse creative talents assembled