High-End Jewelry Brands to Die For: The Aspiring Collector's Desires
In the world of luxury jewellery, a select group of houses stand out for their exceptional quality, innovation, rich heritage, and ethical sourcing focus. These leading brands include Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Graff, Harry Winston, Bvlgari, Chopard, Buccellati, Mikimot, and Forevermark.
Cartier
Cartier, renowned for timeless elegance and classic designs, is famous for the Love Bracelet, Panthère de Cartier collection, and the Cartier Tank watch. The Love Bracelet, with its interlocking bands, symbolises the bond of love, while the Panthère de Cartier collection captures the spirit of the panther, a symbol of power and grace. The Cartier Tank watch, inspired by the Renault Tank during World War I, remains a timeless classic.
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co., another iconic brand, is best known for the Tiffany Setting engagement ring, introduced in 1886, as well as the Tiffany Keys and Tiffany T collections. These designs emphasise modern minimalism and bold lines, reflecting the brand's commitment to innovation and timeless style.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels is renowned for the Alhambra motif, clover-shaped lucky charms, the Mystery Set® technique, and fairy-tale inspired high jewelry pieces. The Alhambra motif is a symbol of luck and prosperity, while the Mystery Set® technique allows stones to appear clawless, creating a unique and captivating visual effect.
Graff
Graff is known for extraordinarily large and rare diamonds, including the Graff Pink and Graff Lesedi La Rona diamond collections. These pieces represent the pinnacle of diamond expertise and showcase Graff's commitment to sourcing and crafting the world's most exceptional diamonds.
Harry Winston
Harry Winston, known as "King of Diamonds" and "Jeweller to the Stars," is famous for spectacular diamond necklaces like the Winston Legacy and high-profile red carpet pieces. The brand's designs prioritise the gemstone and avoid metal settings that might detract from the stone's beauty.
Bvlgari
Bvlgari is famous for bold and colorful pieces such as the Serpenti collection with snake motifs, and vibrant gemstone combinations reflecting Italian heritage. The Serpenti bracelet, inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, represents wisdom, vitality, and seduction.
Chopard
Chopard is known for the Happy Diamonds collection, featuring free-moving diamonds enclosed between sapphire crystals to create playful sparkle moments.
Buccellati
Buccellati is distinguished by intricate metalwork resembling lace, and classic Italian craftsmanship combined with high jewelry stones.
Mikimoto
Mikimoto is revered for pioneering cultured pearls and exquisite pearl jewelry with simple, elegant designs.
Forevermark
Forevermark is a brand of De Beers Group focusing on responsibly sourced diamonds with certified authenticity, often featured in modern diamond ring collections.
These houses balance tradition and innovation, with many also embracing bespoke and ethical sourcing trends to match evolving luxury buyers’ values.
Notable Jewellery Designers
In addition to these leading houses, there are several notable jewellery designers who have made a significant impact in the industry. Andrew Grima, a self-taught jewellery designer, is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century, known for his organic, fantastical, yet wearable designs. JAR, whose real name is Joel Arthur Rosenthal, launched his own Maison in Paris in 1978, known for his vivacious flora and fauna designs inspired by nature.
Other notable designers include Belperron, David Webb, and Grima. Belperron's creations reveal her deep appreciation and fondness for nature, contain motifs from a range of cultures, and typically combine precious stones with hammered gold. David Webb's designs aim to create versatile, textured, and volumetric jewelry that can transition easily from day to night. Grima's designs often feature unusual and rough (non-faceted) stones, with diamonds used to accentuate bold pieces rather than take the spotlight.
Iconic Pieces
Several pieces associated with these designers and houses have become iconic. The Van Cleef & Arpels Zip necklace is convertible jewelry, designed to be worn as a necklace or bracelet, and is a distinct stronghold in the brand's collection. David Webb's animal bracelets, including the zebra motif, are significant American jewelry pieces. Cartier's Panther jewelry piece is rooted in the brand's heritage, exuding luxury, elegance, and strength.
Harry Winston, as "Jeweller to the Stars," handled some of the most famous diamonds, including the Jonker and the Hope Diamond. The Tubogas technique used by Bulgari allows for supple, bejeweled snakes to coil around the wrist or nestle on the shoulder. Van Cleef & Arpels' ballerina brooch, featuring the mystery setting, allows stones to appear suspended without any visible mount.
The Cartier Tutti Frutti jewelry style, popular in the 1920s, was created in 1901 by Pierre Cartier and features a blend of Eastern and Western design elements. HM the Queen often wears a gold, carved ruby and diamond Grima brooch gifted to her by HRH Prince Philip in 1966.
In summary, the top luxury jewellery houses are Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Graff, Harry Winston, Bvlgari, Chopard, Buccellati, Mikimoto, and Forevermark, each with distinctive iconic pieces ranging from Cartier’s Love Bracelet to Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra. These houses, along with notable designers like Grima, JAR, Belperron, and David Webb, continue to shape the world of luxury jewellery with their innovative designs and commitment to quality.
- Graphing a path in the realm of gemmology and luxury, the iconic jewelry designer Andrew Grima strengthened his standing in the industry with his organic, fantastical, and wearable designs.
- The world of publications on luxury lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and shopping continues to be enriched by the works of experts who delve into the fascinating history and contemporary trends of diamond-studded houses, such as Cartier.
- In the realm of workshops and courses, many aspiring jewelry designers seek to hone their skills and learn from the mastery of well-known designers like JAR, who has made a significant impact in the industry with his vivacious flora and fauna designs inspired by nature.
- In the treasured collections of jewelry scholars, one may find references to the Tubogas technique used by Bulgari, a method that allows for supple, bejeweled snakes to coil around the wrist or nestle on the shoulder, highlighting the brand's signature style and meticulous craftsmanship.
- As iconic pieces often symbolize the essences of luxurious lifestyles, the handcrafted gold, carved ruby, and diamond Grima brooch gifted to HM the Queen by HRH Prince Philip in 1966 remains an enduring symbol of love and regal elegance, serving as a testament to the enduring allure of jewelry and its power to stir emotions.
