Collections

Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is a Sci-Fi Fantasy

CollectionsJul 22, 2021

Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is a Sci-Fi Fantasy

“Holographique” combines technical innovation with expert design.

20210721_Boucheron-header.jpg
The pièce de resistance of Boucheron’s new “Holographique” high jewelry collection is this collar with a 20.21-carat octagonal yellow Ceylon sapphire, holographic rock crystal, diamond pavè, and white gold. The holographic effect is achieved by spraying the rock crystal with precious metal microparticles at a high temperature.
Paris—Boucheron admits its latest collection isn’t very typical of Place Vendôme high jewelry, prioritizing innovation over traditional glamour.
 
However, innovation, the famed maison argues, is the Boucheron way, embodying the values of founder Frédéric Boucheron. 
 
“Holographique” is nothing if not original, an ode to light’s shifting hues as refracted through different materials and surfaces.
 
Creative director Claire Choisne digs into the root of the word holograph, citing its Greek origin, with holos meaning “whole” and graphein meaning “written,” interpreted as everything written or “to represent everything.”

Boucheron cited rainbows, artist Olafur Eliasson’s works that center on light and color, and architect Luis Barragan as touch points for Choisne’s journey into holograms, or three-dimensional images created by light, and their expansive colors.
                         
Interpreting this as jewelry led Choisne to incorporate lots of opals into the “Holographique” collection, the gemstone that arguably incorporates the widest variety of color into individual specimens. 
 
Ethiopian opals were the star of the elaborate “Opalescence” set, comprising a multi-strand beaded opal necklace with a clasp depicting an ethereal beta fish. The piece converts into a brooch and a single earring that wraps around the ear. 
 
Playing on the water theme, a more staid but no less spectacular opal and diamond necklace and hoop earrings set referenced the shimmer of light on water and was fittingly called “Ondes,” or “waves.” 

Three impressive “Illusion” cocktail rings showcase grand Australian and Ethiopian opal center stones and incorporate a variety of colored gemstones on the shanks to reflect their many-varied hues like a gem-laden reflection. 
 
Creating a collection that spans nine sets and 25 indiv­idual one-of-a-kind pieces, Choisne wasn’t satisfied to stop her musings on color and light with stones that play with the two naturally. Instead, the Boucheron workshop embarked on entirely new techniques to create a hologram ef­fect of its own.
 
Several jewels feature ceramic and rock crystal sprayed at high temperatures with precious metals, resulting in a unique holographic effect that couldn’t be pre-planned—and that will likely change over time.
 
Boucheron noted its team had to forfeit a certain measure of control over the jewels’ end result, as they appear distinctly different depending on the viewing angle and amount of available light. 

These holographic coatings bring new life to spectacular floral rings and a brooch, dubbed the “Chromatique” set, breathing new life into the nature motif beloved by the jewelry house. 
 
Peonies and pansies were scanned to form a realistic tribute to their floral inspirations, then molded into white ceramic before being sprayed at high temperature with precious metal microparticles.
 
The resulting sheen creates a complimentary interplay of color with the rings’ aquamarine and tourmaline center stones. 

The collection transitions from realistic to science fiction-worthy with the incorporation of rock crystal. 
 
While ceramic provides an opaque, porcelain-like backdrop for the holographic coating, rock crystal further diverts the light. 
 
Boucheron played up the futuristic aura with graphic shapes and angles. 
 
The “Faisceaux” brooch and bracelet set sees diamonds covered with a layer of rock crystal treated with the holographic coating, providing a dizzying array of light dimensions and sparkle.
 
The “Halo” set interprets a classic torque-style necklace and bracelet with Boucheron’s unique holographic fabrication, offering some of the most classic styles of the bunch that are still utterly novel for high jewelry. 
 
Choisne played with repeating angles in the three final “Holographique” sets.
 
A continuation of Boucheron’s “Serpent Bohème” pear-shape motif collection, the “Laser” set saw the jewelry house seek out the perfect stones to accentuate the holographic layer as applied to ceramic, rather than designing the jewel around the stones, as is custom for the house.
 
Boucheron found what it was looking for in aquamarine, which deftly complements the rainbow-esque holographic hues. 
 
The “Prisme” set sees the holographic rock crystal starring as the main material in a bracelet, earrings, and ring. Notches cut into the crystal’s pavilion provided even greater light reflection that differs from every vantage point. 
 
Finally, the full brilliance of Choisne’s holographic coating technique is on display in the “Holographique” set, which sees undulating crystal spheres outlined with diamonds in a necklace, bracelet, and ring. 
 

The Latest

Bulgari’s expanded factory in Valenza, Italy
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Jason McNary accepting FGI Fine Jewelry Rising Star award for Paola Sasplugas
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Carmelo Anthony and Jaylen Brown David Yurman campaign
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen Brown

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Cartier Exhibition Installation at Victoria & Albert Museum
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from Members

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

Technology Therapy Group logo
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry Retailers

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

Catbird Chicago
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to Chicago

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through Love

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert and Rose-Marie Goodman outside Robert Goodman Jewelers
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-Up

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

Womens Jewelry Association WJA logo
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter President

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

Stock image of shipping containers
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy