A Cut Above
L'OFFICIEL Singapore|March 2017

The most important people in the jewellery business aren’t who you think they are.

Herve Dewintre & Kenny Loh
A Cut Above
Diamonds are deeply intriguing. It might be a bit of a stretch to say that they are magical, but the truth is, there is no better way to describe those marvellous works of nature. They take billions of years to form in Earth’s greatest depths; they appear delicate but are incredibly robust; and their colours, ranging from pink to yellow, are decided by unpredictable chemical or structural impurities.

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.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

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.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA L'OFFICIEL SINGAPORESe alt
SLEEPING BEAUTIES
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

SLEEPING BEAUTIES

Louis Vuitton releases two fresh versions of its Bed Trunk, which have been designed in collaboration with Nicolas Ghesquière and Pharrell Williams

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
TRUE BLUE
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

TRUE BLUE

Back in 1968, Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra motif was born.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
WHAT MAKES A MAJESTIC ESCAPE?
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

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.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Leaping FORWARD
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

Leaping FORWARD

Movements described as \"feline\" come with an extra element of grace and elegance.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Enchanted WOODS
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

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

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Life of the PARTY
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

Life of the PARTY

The new Andy Warhol Clou de Paris timepiece pays homage to the Piaget Society, celebrating the Maison's golden era

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Best Foot FORWARD
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

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

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Standing TALL
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

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

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Extraordinary EVERY DAY
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

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

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
A City That NEVER SLEEPS
L'OFFICIEL Singapore

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

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024