Riyadh dazzled by rare and unique pieces from global jewelry brands

RIYAD: When the Jewelry Salon opened in Riyadh in 2010, it was a hub where local designers could showcase their work and develop their brands. Since then, it has also become a regional showcase and focal point for jewelry enthusiasts, investors and prestigious local and international companies.

Described as offering the largest jewelry exhibition in the Middle East, the show participates in the Riyadh season and currently hosts a diverse collection of unique designs and limited pieces from companies in over 16 countries.

One of them is Boghossian, a Swiss family-owned jewelry business that started in Mardin in 1868 and has passed down the secrets of its unique craftsmanship and craftsmanship through six generations. His designs are fetching record prices at international auctions, and are truly one-of-a-kind pieces with signature patents that cannot be copied.

Boghossian, for example, created the intricate Wonders technique that allows more light to illuminate diamonds by drastically reducing the amount of metal used to support gemstones.

“The Wonders are something that has never been created before, and because there is so little metal involved, there is luminosity all around,” Dalia Boghossian, marketing director of the company, told Arab News. ‘company, adding that it had taken four years of research and development to perfect the technique, which creates a seamless structure that gives the impression of a floating diamond.

“We actually have a patent for the Wonders, so no one else creates it like us. It’s so special because the diamonds hold onto each other, rather than using metal claws.

Veschetti, an upscale family-owned Italian jewelry company founded in 1949, is visiting Riyadh for the second time and showcasing a colorful collection of handcrafted pieces, featuring rare and precious gems, inspired by Italian culture. .

“Through our jewelry, we share our Italian culture and beauty,” said Chiara Veschetti, born in Brescia, owner of the company. “Our experience in Saudi Arabia has been very good for many years; the Saudis really appreciate our style. I think Saudi and Italian people are very similar.

Veschetti first visited the Kingdom 17 years ago, to participate in Bisat Al-Reeh, a renowned annual festival in Jeddah during Ramadan.

“It was very magical and very different from Italy, and since that time we have never stopped coming except (during the pandemic),” she said.

In Riyadh, the company presents for the first time an “ancient stone”, classified as “gemological rarity”, discovered three years ago in Myanmar.

“We brought this necklace made of emeralds, and in the center there is an incredible natural Burmese sapphire with an Arabic inscription,” Veschetti said. The old inscription reads: “In the name of God who is most merciful and greatest.

“The organization this year in Riyadh is incredible,” she added. “There is always a chance to collaborate more if we come more than once a year. “

Sicis Jewels, based in Milan, also exhibits its creations at the Salon de la Joaillerie. The pieces are described as a blend of art and nature, incorporating vividly colored murals and shapes into a ‘micromosaic’.

“In the final piece, titled Destino Incantato, which means enchanted fate, there are precious jewels such as tanzanites and rubellites that are embellished with micromosaic,” Gabriella Lanfranchi, sales manager at Sicis, told Arab News.

The luxurious collection deviates from standard models, with gemstones forming a kind of wearable painting that embodies the richness of Italian culture.

“Micromosaic is an art that is made by our best artisans in Ravenna, the capital of mosaic art,” said Lanfranchi. “With this collection, we are perfecting the ancient art of mosaics.”

American jewelry house Harry Winston is considered an industry leader known, among other things, for its handcrafted engagement and wedding rings adorned with the most precious and rare diamonds.

“Harry Winston is one of the unique brands,” said Jamil Matar, president of the Al-Fardan group, which has been Harry Winston’s partner in Saudi Arabia since 1992.

“It is known internationally that when (founder Harry Winston) was alive he was the smartest jeweler. He could figure out what would be produced just by looking at the rough stones, which is not easy.

This year the company presents the Harry Winston Timepieces collection of rare and limited edition watches. The Histoire de Tourbillon and Opus collections are of particular interest to collectors who appreciate the delicate clockwork mechanisms in exquisite and unique timepieces.

“We are here at the Riyadh Expo and have big customers coming,” Matar said. “And this is the time when everyone is there.”

Perhaps the highlight of the show at the Salon de la Joaillerie, and certainly one of the most topical creations, is the world’s most expensive face mask, created by luxury brand Yvel.

“I am proud to present the most expensive COVID mask in the world,” Isaac D. Levy, president of the company, told Arab News. “It’s an N-99, it’s made of 3,608 diamonds and it took almost nine months to put it together.”

The mask, which sold for $ 1.5 million, is on loan to the jewelry show as an exhibit.