Jewel Of The Sea

Ondes et Merveilles, chaumet’s first high jewellery collection dedicated to the sea, beautifully expresses the many facets and moods of the vast ocean

- Caroline Suganda

Nature has always provided a wealth of inspiration for Chaumet, allowing the French maison to draw many creative influences from it: The sky was the theme for the Les Ciels de Chaumet high jewellery collection in 2019, while plants with deep mythological symbolism, such as the laurel and lily, were the starting points for La Nature de Chaumet in 2016. The sea, however, is particularly significant for Joseph Chaumet, as he was the son of a sailor. A look in the archives reveals that water has always been a recurring motif for the house, surfacing in the form of an anchor brooch and a waterfall tiara with dolphins as far back as the 1900s, as well as a wave necklace in 1960.

This year, Chaumet takes the plunge to fully express its fascination with the sea through Ondes et Merveilles (French for “waves and wonders”). It is the first time in 240 years that the French jeweller has devoted an entire collection to the vast ocean, to embark on a voyage to chronicle its myriad evocations — from the waves crashing on the shore to the marine life that flourishes within its depths. Through the lens of Chaumet, the magic that lies under, above and within the sea is captured in its essence and translated into 69 masterpieces, featuring combinations of exceptional precious stones and pearls artfully curated by the maison’s gemologists, to depict the complex nuances of the sea.

Let us take a closer look at Ondes et Merveilles and the story it tells through its three different chapters.

ENCRES