Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
Gucci Grows a Garden for Its First High Jewelry Collection
Comprised of more than 200 pieces, Hortus Deliciarum is sold at the brand’s new boutique in Place Vendôme.
Paris—Kering-owned fashion brand Gucci just marked a milestone, releasing its first high jewelry collection.
Like many brands before it, the company turned to nature for inspiration, but added an ethereal feel.
Hortus Deliciarum, Latin for “Garden of Delights,” consists of more than 200 pieces, most of which are one-of-a-kind.
Inspired by the “poetic and kaleidoscopic universe” of Creative Director Alessandro Michele, it draws on motifs important to him as well as those symbolic of Gucci’s iconography and history.
The motifs diverge into a trio of themes, keeping the house’s iconography alive through the prism of a mythical garden with vivid gemstones and precious metals.
The first theme pays homage to classic symbols of eternal love.
Think bright gemstones set in arrow designs on brooches with en tremblant movement, crosses that give a nod to the “devotional love of the Renaissance,” antique-inspired chandelier earrings, crest of hearts rings, and tiaras.
The second group celebrates the animal kingdom, using lions, tigers and Ouroboros, bedecked with Paraiba tourmaline, yellow and violet sapphires, spessartite garnet, spinel, diamonds and more.
Rounding out the third set of jewels are striking solitaire designs—pear-cut colored gemstones paired with classic settings in colors that evoke a garden in full bloom: imperial topaz, blush topaz, green tourmaline and spessartite garnet.
There are also coiled rings that envelop heart-shaped aquamarines and rubellite.
Hortus Deliciarum ranges in price from $50,000-$900,000 retail.
The design of the boutique at 16 Place Vendôme stands in stark contrast to the distinct saturated hues used in the rest of Gucci’s boutiques, using an “elegantly muted” aesthetic meant to illuminate the colorful vibrancy of the jewelry.
It has dark wood cabinets lined in blue-green satin, antique mirrors with brass details and a monochromatic marble mosaic floor.
The Latest
In the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Co-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
Along with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
The man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
The average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
The videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
DDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
The highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
Recent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
Carrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
The competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
The high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.