THE ART OF SMALL THINGS
Yellow diamond golden vein, blue diamond wings, white diamond scales are beautifully balanced with bold Burmese “pigeon’s blood” rubies that echo organicity.
The constellation of diamonds and sapphires with seven types of cut are set on titanium. The diamonds also create a shimmering effect between its blue and white, as if the butterfly brushes across water with water droplets still on its wings and scales as it flies.
For the first time, the centre of the four Burmese pigeon’s blood rubies are set on an aluminium metal base to augment the bright red colour of the stones.
“My pieces are miniature architectural works, as every layer, space, and lighting are precisely calculated for a masterpiece,” she said. “I don’t let go of details, ensuring precision of every angle of gem setting and the perfection of every detail to create 360-degree lifelike sculptural art jewel masterpieces that shine to their full potential.”
Besides butterflies, her works are interpretations of flowers, leaves, feathers and ribbons.
The Winter Leaves Necklace, created in 2016, won the Masterpiece London Highlight Award, and was selected for being the “Best Jewellery Piece Of The Fair” at Masterpiece London 2019, and the Peony Brooch was awarded “Outstanding Object” by the Masterpiece 2018 Awards Committee.
“There are no limitations when I create a Black Label masterpiece. It took me seven years to refine and finish the Peony Brooch,” she said. “Likewise, for unique custom-made pieces you cannot give Cindy Chao a time limit. I need freedom and time to ensure that my jewellery is perfect.”
From the 2019 Black Label Masterpieces, the Emerald Architectural Necklace pays homage to her grandfather and expresses her penchant for green stones.
Representing organic architecture, it features a pair of emerald-cut Colombian emeralds and 10,000 pieces of vivid green emerald beads that constitute the main body of the necklace, linked to the main gemstones with specially cut baguette-cut emeralds.
This white-gold piece also sparkles with diamonds, conch pearls, sapphires and a yellow diamond as side stones.
Chao shared how she has been asked to describe the women who wears her jewellery with such precious stones?
Believing in the mystical power of gemstones, she said, “Every gemstone has a soul and spirit. They will attract and find the owner of my jewellery,” she said.
WHEN I STARTED, I DIDN’T EXPECT THAT WE WOULD COME THIS FAR