’Tis The season To sparkle
White diamonds will add glamour to your Christmas outfit, writes Charlene Co
Add glamour to your Christmas outfit with some head-turning jewellery set with dazzling white diamonds
Dreaming of a white Christmas? We are too—at least as far as jewellery is concerned. Whether you’re planning to celebrate the season looking out over a snowcovered lawn or a golden beach, the white diamonds in these festive-looking pieces will complement your Christmas party repertoire. The Collier Ruban Prestige necklace by Chanel is set with baguette- and brilliantcut diamonds—a stunning match for a chic cocktail dress. Harry Winston’s Sparkling Cluster bracelet would likewise make a glittering accent, as would De Beers’ Dewdrop ring. If you’re looking for something with a touch of colour, the Dior À Versailles Fontange Saphir Rose earrings set with diamonds and pink sapphires would make a wonderful choice, as would Adler’s Shinsei earrings decorated with mother-ofpearl, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds. Mikimoto’s water drop-inspired Splash brooch, made with akoya pearls and diamonds, would give your outfit a luxurious but edgy touch, while Roger Dubuis’ Velvet Ribbon watch, launched just in time for the holidays, would be a practical and stunning accessory for a black-tie event. For a grand entrance, opt for Van Cleef & Arpels’ Flocons Précieux set—a necklace, bracelet and earrings that evoke snowflakes with white diamonds. Take your pick and bring the bling to your Christmas dinner!
rows of radiance
Clockwise from top: Collier Ruban Prestige necklace by Chanel; Shinsei earrings by Adler; Dewdrop ring by De Beers; Velvet Ribbon timepiece by Roger Dubuis; Splash brooch by Mikimoto; Dior À Versailles Fontange Saphir Rose earrings by Dior; Sparkling Cluster bracelet by Harry Winston Far left: Flocons Précieux set by Van Cleef & Arpels
BACKGROUND Moussaieff just might be the jewellery world’s best-kept secret. Known only to a few deep-pocketed collectors and connoisseurs, the jewellery house began life in the 1850s in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, where a merchant by the name of Shlomo Moussaieff started trading natural pearls from the Persian Gulf for incredible gemstones from India. His son, Remo, expanded the business in Paris in the 1920s, becoming known as a leading dealer in
natural pearls. when it was the turn of Remo’s son, Shlomo Jr, to take over, he moved to london where he continued to grow the Moussaieff brand with his wife, Alisa.
A WOMAN’S TOUCH Though well into her 80s, Alisa has not slowed down and is known as the “driving force” of the company. She took the reins of the business in 2004 on the retirement of her husband, who passed away last year, and today is one of the most respected figures in the industry. The house has amassed an extraordinary collection of jewels over the years. Perhaps the most spectacular is the Moussaieff Red; at 5.11 carats, it’s the largest natural fancy red diamond in the world, and has been exhibited at the natural History Museum in london and the Smithsonian Institute in washington DC. DISTINGUISHED CLIENTELE Given Alisa’s attitude to jewels— “I find perfection irresistible”—it should be no surprise that Moussaieff’s distinguished customers, royals and heads of state among them, keep coming back. “My billionaire clients don’t mind sitting with me,” she has been quoted as saying. “I throw diamonds on the table, and together we choose the best stones and design. out of this chaos are born many beautiful pieces.” stunning stones From top left: The Moussaieff Red, the world’s largest natural fancy red diamond at 5.11 carats; necklace set with flawless white and pink diamonds weighing a total of more than 57 carats; twin ring set with fancy vivid blue and fancy intense pink diamonds