Meet the Main Luxury Jewelry Brands of the Orient
We are quite familiar with the jewelry tycoons of Europe and North America. However, there is still so much to explore in the East – including the giants of the Asian jewelry industry responding to a huge demand, local and foreign alike, for all things beautiful. Over the last few years, Thailand has been actively competing with the global jewelry champion, Italy, adapting its quality standards and designs, while Hong Kong houses some of Asia’s finest jewelers, who create the masterpieces with a million-dollar price tag. Let’s meet some of the greatest modern jewelers of the Orient.
Wallace Chan is considered the virtuoso of jewelry miniature. His brand is one of the most expensive in the world. Unlike his numerous colleagues, Chan doesn’t try to imitate the European designs. His style is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of ancient China, making the rich cultural legacy of his country understandable for the rest of the world through his high jewelry art. The main themes of his work are China’s flora and fauna. A former sculptor, Chan dubs his creations “wearable sculptures.”
Wallace Chan is considered the virtuoso of jewelry miniature. His brand is one of the most expensive in the world. Unlike his numerous colleagues, Chan doesn’t try to imitate the European designs. His style is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of ancient China, making the rich cultural legacy of his country understandable for the rest of the world through his high jewelry art. The main themes of his work are China’s flora and fauna. A former sculptor, Chan dubs his creations “wearable sculptures.”
The Singapore-based artist Cindy Chao is so popular in Asia that her jewelry rarely reaches the European shores, as it is sold out to the local connoisseurs. Some of her creations end up at the Sotheby’s as soon as the master’s work is done. The Cindy Chao jewelry displays neo-baroque aesthetics: incredibly lush, multi-coloured forms, plasticity of details, complicated incrustation complemented by large rare gemstones (rubies, sapphires, emeralds). Chao’s designs lack symmetry. She loved natural forms. She even camouflages the stone fasteners as plant twigs, stalks and leaves.
Cindy’s colleague Wendy Yue is also a very accomplished jewelry artist. Her jewelry is quite popular in the USA and Europe. Unlike the masterpieces of Chan or Chao destined to be displayed in museums and auctions, Yue’s pieces are made for wear. Her creations represent the Hong Kong style, mixing together the American and Chinese influences. Wendy loved carving. Her jewelry is a bouquet of gemstones, carved and cut nephrites, jades, corals, and opals.
The signature element of Bao Bao Wan jewelry is golden lace. Even a ring with a large stone is embellished with lace designed in the style of traditional Chinese ornaments. Bao Bao Wan loves encapsulating pearls in the golden lace, as well as decorating them with diamonds, defying the fragility of the mother-of-pearl.
The Japanese company Mikimoto is also specializing in pearl jewelry. However, in this case, the emphasis is on the natural beauty of the material.
[Image Credit: wallace-chan.com, jewelsdujour.com, wendyyue.com, baobaowan.com, mikimoto.com]
Posted on July 10, 2014 in My Jewelry Glam by Alicia Wallis
Posted on July 10, 2014 in My Jewelry Glam by Alicia Wallis