MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
TrendsMay 06, 2019
In New Carnet Book, A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
The tome on Hong Kong jeweler Carnet by Michelle Ong is coming out just following sale of the designer’s work at Christie’s.
This “Graceful Peony” brooch from Carnet by Michelle Ong was created in 2008. It features white diamonds, rubies, pink sapphires and garnets in 18-karat white gold and titanium. © 2018 Carnet Jewelry
New York—In the introduction to the new book “Carnet by Michelle Ong,” Vivienne Becker writes that the designer “prefers to let her jewels speak for themselves,” and “is unapologetically reluctant to talk about her work.”
Not an easy subject, then, for author and jewelry historian Becker to tackle.
But no matter. The tome is a visual feast, full of 263 illustrations—primarily large-scale photographs, as well as a few sketches—providing a best-of compilation of the Hong Kong-based designer’s more than 25 years of work.
Though not even a picture of Ong herself can be found in its pages, in “Carnet by Michelle Ong” the jewels do all the talking.
Divided into somewhat overlapping categories like “Nature” and “Flora,” each jewel nearly jumps off the page, whether one turns to an elaborate, graphic jadeite and diamond collar with emeralds, purple sapphires, and garnets in 18-karat white gold and titanium, or chances upon a massive reddish-brown diamond bracelet accented by brown and white diamonds in 18-karat white gold and titanium.
Tourmaline, white diamond, pink and blue sapphire and amethyst necklace in platinum and titanium, 2003
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
“Opal Allure” earrings, 2012, featuring fire opal, fancy intense yellow, yellow and white diamonds, red spinels and orange sapphires in 18-karat yellow gold
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
Emerald, white diamond, pink and purple sapphire, and garnet brooch in 18-karat white gold and titanium, 2015
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
“Cleopatra” earrings, 2008, with emeralds and white diamonds in platinum and 18-karat white gold
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
White diamond and platinum ring, 2004
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
Each tonal masterpiece translates its original, natural inspiration into a technical feat of high jewelry.
According to Becker, Ong was a pioneer in mixing eastern and western influences in her designs. Her creations often incorporate jade or, occasionally, a dragon or fan motif. Even a ubiquitous jadeite bangle is transformed when intertwined in a net of colored gemstones, repurposing the item into a brooch.
With the designer’s recent exhibition of one-of-a-kind pieces at Christie’s New York’s Magnificent Jewels sale, “Carnet by Michelle Ong” is an essential jewelry read in 2019.
With a foreword from fellow one-of-a-kind high jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal—professionally known as JAR—the book is out from Thames & Hudson on June 11 and priced at $95.
More on Trends
The Latest
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
