Luxury by JCK: Top 9 jewels from the 2022 edition

Among the thousands of jewels that glitter the halls of Couture and Luxury by JCK, there are always a handful of pieces each year that make the Las Vegas show sing. This year, there was a flurry of pieces with statement-sized coloured gemstones and diamonds, as well as rarer specimens that demanded a second look (after all, I may never see them again). Others focused on contemporary cutting techniques to achieve the desired amount of originality. Here are nine jewellery creations that really captured my attention and demanded to be photographed and shared with all of you.

It is far too tempting to pass up an opportunity to see extremely rare gemstones. At this year’s Luxury by JCK I spotted a number of rare specimens: sensational and hyper-rare grandidierite gemstone presented by Omi Privé, as well as a trademarked form of chalcedony, Peacock Aquaprase, at Le Vian. As for diamonds, there were plenty of exceptional examples, especially at Novel Collection which showcased a wealth of coloured diamonds and Grandview Klein, which presented a necklace with myriad unconventionally cut stones. And let’s not forget the creations that wowed due to their sheer size and carat weights –  statement diamond pieces shined from the stands of Rahaminov Diamonds and Norman Silverman. Now, let me present nine treasures that received my top marks!

Bellarri

The new Mademoiselle by Bellarri collection stood out with floral blooms of millennium-cut rhodolite garnet and topaz. The challenge is finding rhodolite in such long shapes that can be given this millennium treatment, while also having matching berry tones and saturations of colour. This very limited-edition collection contains pendants, earrings, a cuff bracelet and rings paired with diamonds.

Le Vian

Aquaprase chalcedony was discovered by Yianni Melas relatively recently, and ‘Peacock Aquaprase’ is a natural blue-green variety with a mottled finish. Le Vian is using the gem to make a statement in a new series of jewellery, including this necklace set with large cabochons in a framework of diamonds, set in rose gold. 

Omi Privé

I was particularly excited about this grandidierite ring as it was the first time that I have seen this stone in real life. It is a remarkably rare gemstone, which means finding anything over one carat is devilishly difficult. This Omi Privé ring is set with a central grandidierite of 2.21 carats surrounded by a halo of diamonds and alexandrite gemstones. This ring really packs a punch for any jewellery aficionado who wants something truly rare in their collection.

Rahaminov Diamonds

For large diamonds, I couldn’t take my eyes off two rings at Rahaminov Diamonds. The first is a 15-carat radiant-cut diamond with trapezoid-cut diamond side stones in platinum, while the second is an 18.5 carat emerald-cut with tapered baguette-cut side stones, also in platinum. These two pieces were just a small fraction of an impressive diamond selection that the Los Angeles company had to offer to JCK Las Vegas visitors.

Yael Designs

Hello Paraiba-like tourmaline! This necklace by Yael Designs really highlights the neon blue hue of this copper-infused tourmaline. The central stone is 9.23 carats and hails from Mozambique. And let’s not forget the 14.73 carats of colourless diamonds that form the pendant and bezel-set diamond line necklace. What I especially liked about this necklace is the milgrain detailing on the gold setting.

Novel Collection

Did you know that when a gemstone is especially rare it can have a GIA Monograph? This is a book that outlines further details about the gem and gives it a special place in the ‘gemmology hall of fame’! As you will see on Instagram, this Novel Collection ring can boast a monograph thanks to ‘The Majestic Diamond’ – a 2.07 carat fancy diamond with a fiery orangey-red colour.

Norman Silverman

There’s just something about a heart-shaped diamond that gets pulses racing. Norman Silverman presented this heart-shaped pendant with a 20-carat fancy yellow centre stone and a slimline border of colourless diamonds. Just look at the actual shape of the heart, it is nicely plump and well-proportioned, which is not always the case when it comes to heart-shaped diamonds.

Sirus Tanya

While visiting the stand of Thai brand Sirus Tanya, I discovered this necklace set with a 14.45 carat Colombian emerald hanging from a line of fancy-cut diamonds. It’s the minimalism and sleekness of the piece that really inspired me, as they say, ‘less is more’.

Grandview Klein

For true depths of deep blue colour look no further than this necklace by Grandview Klein, which has offices in New York, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong. The piece is set with 286 gemstones totalling 276.55 carats which include blue sapphires, fancy-cut colourless diamonds and yellow diamonds. I personally loved how the yellow diamonds shine on the back of the neck to create an element of surprise.

If you had the opportunity to visit Las Vegas this year, I am sure you have formulated your ‘stars of the show’ list. This year’s fairs presented colour, creativity and craftsmanship in ways that made seasoned jewellery writers stop in their tracks. If you saw me in the halls, I was either taking pictures or frozen to the spot, asking for a second look.