Singapore Tatler Jewels & Time
RUSSKIY MIR
From the cold winter to the polar landscape to ancient cities, Russia inspires Boucheron’s latest haute joaillerie collection
A huge dose of Russian influence for Boucheron's Hivier Impérial collection
Boucheron was the first French jeweller in Moscow in 1897 so it boasts intricate ties with the Russian capital. The Hivier Impérial collection pays tribute to the country and its history and celebrates the close relationship the brand shares with it.
Boréales harks back to the Russian traditional dress and lavish imperial jewellery. Case in point: The Baïkal necklace is designed like a bodice front and adorned with 2,000 pearls strung on silk thread with aquamarines, moon pearls and diamonds. Taking centrestage is the 78.33 carat Santa Maria aquamarine that sits in the middle of the creation. Its colour is reminiscent of the crystal clear blue waters of Lake Baikal. The high jewellery collection is split into three sub-collections: Lumière de Nuit, Femmes Boréales and L’anneau d’or.
1898, Boucheron started using the snowflake motif on its jewellery. Two of the most significant creations sporting the pattern are two necklaces for Barbara Kelch, granddaughter of railroad tycoon Ivan Bazanov. The Flocon Impérial necklace from the Lumière de Nuit collection is inspired by the snowflake and the Barbara Kelch necklace. It features polished rock crystal accentuated with diamonds. Parts of the necklace can be removed and worn as a diamond ring, a fibula and hair accessories. L’anneau d’or takes creative reference from the imperial cities’ rooftops, cupolas and onion domes as well as from Moscow Baroque architectural influences. Which is why the Rostov’s oversized bejewelled medallion looks like a dome from the top. Ditto the Marqueterie bracelet—it features characteristic triangular shapes often seen on imperial buildings in Moscow.