JewelleryCollections

Royal Oak Jewellery, the Okavango Blue and a Boucheron Archive: Five Jewellery Stories This Week

October 13, 2026

By Bianca Blanari

5 min read

From a watchmaking icon finding a new life in jewellery to a remarkable collection of Boucheron treasures heading to auction in Paris, there’s been plenty to pique my curiosity this week. For my latest round-up, I’ve selected five of the week’s biggest jewellery stories, including a 20-carat blue diamond with a remarkable backstory, Tiffany’s case of the blues and some ingenious jewellery with secrets to reveal.

The Katarina Perez Club is your daily window into the jewellery world, featuring new launches, exhibitions, appointments, industry news and original stories from editors with different voices and areas of interest. Updated every day, it is where everything happening in jewellery comes together in one place.

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Audemars Piguet: When the Royal Oak Bracelet Becomes the Jewel

Audemars Piguet has taken one of the most recognisable bracelets in watchmaking history and turned it into a jewellery collection. Designed by Gérald Genta in 1972, the Royal Oak challenged watchmaking conventions with its octagonal bezel, exposed screws and integrated steel bracelet, whose tapering links, satin-brushed surfaces and polished chamfers were finished with an attention to detail more commonly associated with precious metals. The new Royal Oak Joaillerie collection dispenses with the watch entirely, transforming its iconic bracelet links into cuffs, necklaces and earrings.

 

The debut includes three lines. Dream of Joux introduces colour through one-of-a-kind cuffs in white, yellow and pink gold, as well as a tie necklace and earrings with pear-shaped diamonds and blue sapphire-set titanium links. Risoud Eclipse is darker, pairing black PVD titanium with diamonds and sugarloaf emeralds. The third line features Audemars Piguet’s signature “frosted gold” finish, the Florentine-inspired surface treatment it developed with Carolina Bucci in 2016. As CEO Ilaria Resta explains, the collection is part of a wider ambition to “revisit our codes” and explore jewellery alongside the house’s watchmaking activity.

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Joaillerie collection transforms the iconic watch’s geometric bracelet into bold, sculptural jewellery.

Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Joaillerie collection transforms the iconic watch’s geometric bracelet into bold, sculptural jewellery.

Risoud Eclipse pairs black PVD titanium with sugarloaf emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds, recalling an eclipse above the Risoud Forest.

Risoud Eclipse pairs black PVD titanium with sugarloaf emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds, recalling an eclipse above the Risoud Forest.

Dream of Joux captures the Vallée de Joux’s natural beauty through vibrant gemstones, floral motifs and sculpted gold cuffs.

Dream of Joux captures the Vallée de Joux’s natural beauty through vibrant gemstones, floral motifs and sculpted gold cuffs.

Inspired by Gérald Genta’s 1972 design, tapering links and contrasting finishes unite watchmaking with jewellery craftsmanship.

Inspired by Gérald Genta’s 1972 design, tapering links and contrasting finishes unite watchmaking with jewellery craftsmanship.

Drawing on a jewellery heritage dating back to the 19th century, the collection celebrates Audemars Piguet’s expertise in metalworking and gem-setting.

Drawing on a jewellery heritage dating back to the 19th century, the collection celebrates Audemars Piguet’s expertise in metalworking and gem-setting.

The Dream of Joux necklace evokes the frozen landscapes of the Vallée de Joux, with cascading pear shaped diamonds and snow set blue sapphires set against anodised blue titanium.

The Dream of Joux necklace evokes the frozen landscapes of the Vallée de Joux, with cascading pear shaped diamonds and snow set blue sapphires set against anodised blue titanium.

The Dream of Joux drop earrings feature 196 snow set blue sapphires and eight pear shaped diamonds.

The Dream of Joux drop earrings feature 196 snow set blue sapphires and eight pear shaped diamonds.

Messika: Botswana on the Runway

Messika’s annual High Jewellery catwalk show has become a fixture of Paris Fashion Week. At the beginning of October, the house took over Galerie Courbe at the Grand Palais to showcase Terres de Contrastes, its latest High Jewellery collection. Continuing the Southern African journey begun in Namibia last year with Terres d’Instinct, for Terres de Contrastes Valérie Messika turned her attention to Botswana and three very different landscapes: the waterways of the Okavango Delta, the red and ochre expanse of the Kalahari desert and the pale mineral surface of the Makgadikgadi salt pans.

 

In the Okavango pieces, cascading diamonds evoke flowing water, while Féroce takes its angular forms from crocodile teeth. Règne uses onyx against gold to suggest feline markings, while Python Rubellite wraps the body in diamond scales interrupted by a deep rubellite. Colour is much more present than in Messika’s earlier diamond-led work, moving through blue, green, red, pink and white, according to the landscape that inspired it.

Messika unveils Terres de Contrastes, a new High Jewellery collection inspired by Botswana’s extraordinary landscapes, natural contrasts and untamed wildlife.

Messika unveils Terres de Contrastes, a new High Jewellery collection inspired by Botswana’s extraordinary landscapes, natural contrasts and untamed wildlife.

From the lush Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans, three distinct landscapes shape the collection’s colours and creative direction.

From the lush Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert and Makgadikgadi Pans, three distinct landscapes shape the collection’s colours and creative direction.

Burning ochres and rich reds draw on the Kalahari Desert, reflecting the warmth, intensity and sculptural forms of its dunes.

Burning ochres and rich reds draw on the Kalahari Desert, reflecting the warmth, intensity and sculptural forms of its dunes.

Valérie Messika explores the relationship between diamonds, movement and the natural world, creating jewellery that expresses the contrasts of Botswana.

Valérie Messika explores the relationship between diamonds, movement and the natural world, creating jewellery that expresses the contrasts of Botswana.

Inspired by the python’s sinuous form, Messika’s necklace features intricate rows of diamonds surrounding a striking brown diamond, capturing the raw beauty and earthy richness of Botswana’s wilderness.

Inspired by the python’s sinuous form, Messika’s necklace features intricate rows of diamonds surrounding a striking brown diamond, capturing the raw beauty and earthy richness of Botswana’s wilderness.

The Jacaranda necklace brings the vibrant colours of Botswana’s landscape to life, combining violet and blue gemstones with diamonds in a design inspired by the country’s rich natural contrasts.

The Jacaranda necklace brings the vibrant colours of Botswana’s landscape to life, combining violet and blue gemstones with diamonds in a design inspired by the country’s rich natural contrasts.

Messika’s So Move Tsavorite necklace reinterprets the Maison’s signature geometric links and moving diamonds, introducing vibrant green tsavorites while preserving its distinctive design identity.

Messika’s So Move Tsavorite necklace reinterprets the Maison’s signature geometric links and moving diamonds, introducing vibrant green tsavorites while preserving its distinctive design identity.

A bold play of colour defines Messika’s Yai necklace, where vivid pink, violet and blue gemstones take centre stage, each surrounded by a sculptural setting of pavé diamonds that heightens their beauty.

A bold play of colour defines Messika’s Yai necklace, where vivid pink, violet and blue gemstones take centre stage, each surrounded by a sculptural setting of pavé diamonds that heightens their beauty.

A 45 carat emerald cut tanzanite takes centre stage in Messika’s Divine Enigma necklace, its intense blue hue framed by three graduated strands of pavé set diamonds.

A 45 carat emerald cut tanzanite takes centre stage in Messika’s Divine Enigma necklace, its intense blue hue framed by three graduated strands of pavé set diamonds.

The Groove Tsavorite necklace introduces vivid green gemstones to Messika’s signature chain links, with cascading tassels adding movement and fluidity to the bold, sculptural design.

The Groove Tsavorite necklace introduces vivid green gemstones to Messika’s signature chain links, with cascading tassels adding movement and fluidity to the bold, sculptural design.

The Divine Enigma necklace concludes the collection with an 18 carat oval diamond framed by pavé set stones, embodying Valérie Messika’s vision of placing the diamond at the heart of contemporary High Jewellery.

The Divine Enigma necklace concludes the collection with an 18 carat oval diamond framed by pavé set stones, embodying Valérie Messika’s vision of placing the diamond at the heart of contemporary High Jewellery.

The show closed with Terres de Contrastes’ most important stone. The Okavango Blue began life as a 41.11-carat rough diamond. Today, it is a 20.46-carat oval VVS1 Fancy Deep Blue oval diamond, with the distinction of being the largest blue diamond discovered in Botswana and the eighth largest blue diamond in the world. Irina Shayk wore it for the final look of the show.

Sotheby’s Paris: Another Side of Boucheron

Boucheron is more often associated with exceptional diamonds, High Jewellery and its historic home on Place Vendôme, where it became the first major jewellery house to establish itself in 1893. This week, Sotheby’s Paris auctioned a collection of Extraordinary Objects by Boucheron in its Fine Jewelry sale, bringing together more than 40 archival creations from a single European family, spanning the late 19th century to the early 21st.

 

Among them was an 1880s gold photo frame, a 1920s lapis lazuli cigarette case set with sapphires and rose-cut diamonds and an Art Deco jade, enamel and lapis seal. These were objects made for everyday use, but Boucheron treated them with the same attention to materials and detail as its jewels, turning something as practical as a cigarette case or photo frame into an object worthy of collecting.

More than 40 rare Boucheron objects, collected by a single European family, went under the hammer at Sotheby’s Paris on 8 October 2026. Spanning over a century, the collection included precious photo frames, cigarette cases and decorative accessories.

More than 40 rare Boucheron objects, collected by a single European family, went under the hammer at Sotheby’s Paris on 8 October 2026. Spanning over a century, the collection included precious photo frames, cigarette cases and decorative accessories.

Founded in 1858, Boucheron became the first major jewellery house to establish itself on Place Vendôme in 1893, bringing its expertise in precious materials to both jewellery and decorative objects.

Founded in 1858, Boucheron became the first major jewellery house to establish itself on Place Vendôme in 1893, bringing its expertise in precious materials to both jewellery and decorative objects.

Dating to the 1880s, this sculpted gold photo frame features an easel structure with scrolling motifs and chased foliage, revealing the intricacy of Boucheron’s early metalwork.

Dating to the 1880s, this sculpted gold photo frame features an easel structure with scrolling motifs and chased foliage, revealing the intricacy of Boucheron’s early metalwork.

Boucheron’s archival collection reveals the Maison’s decorative artistry through richly coloured enamel, carved gemstones, floral inlays and intricate goldwork, transforming everyday accessories into precious objects.

Boucheron’s archival collection reveals the Maison’s decorative artistry through richly coloured enamel, carved gemstones, floral inlays and intricate goldwork, transforming everyday accessories into precious objects.

Three richly coloured enamel ornaments reveal Boucheron’s decorative craftsmanship, with intricate floral and geometric motifs bringing together the artistry and colour of the period.

Three richly coloured enamel ornaments reveal Boucheron’s decorative craftsmanship, with intricate floral and geometric motifs bringing together the artistry and colour of the period.

From intricately decorated vanity cases to ornamental boxes and personal accessories, these archival creations reveal a period when even the most practical possessions were conceived with the artistry of fine jewellery.

From intricately decorated vanity cases to ornamental boxes and personal accessories, these archival creations reveal a period when even the most practical possessions were conceived with the artistry of fine jewellery.

Tiffany HardWear: Turquoise, Pearls and Bunny Mellon

Launched in 2017, Tiffany & Co.’s HardWear collection was inspired by a gauge-link bracelet from the House’s archives. Since then, it has become one of the House’s most recognisable contemporary designs, but until now, made exclusively in gold and diamonds. For 2026, Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille introduces turquoise and Japanese Akoya pearls, taking inspiration from a lapis lazuli and pearl necklace in the Tiffany archives once worn by American socialite and philanthropist Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon.

 

The nine new designs include a hero necklace in which vivid turquoise beads and lustrous Akoya pearls alternate along the signature gold links, each held in place by a small pyramid-shaped gold setting. The 34-inch design has two integrated clasps and can be worn long, doubled or separated into a shorter necklace and bracelet. The turquoise is sourced from the United States and Mexico and colour-matched across the pieces, while the Akoya pearls come from Japan.

Tiffany & Co. introduces nine new HardWear creations, pairing vivid turquoise and luminous Akoya pearls with the collection’s signature 18 carat gold links.

Tiffany & Co. introduces nine new HardWear creations, pairing vivid turquoise and luminous Akoya pearls with the collection’s signature 18 carat gold links.

Inspired by a historic Tiffany necklace worn by Bunny Mellon, the designs revisit the House’s archives through a contemporary palette influenced by the bold colours of Pop Art.

Inspired by a historic Tiffany necklace worn by Bunny Mellon, the designs revisit the House’s archives through a contemporary palette influenced by the bold colours of Pop Art.

Drawing on a design from 1962, HardWear’s distinctive U shaped links reflect the energy and resilience of New York City, now reimagined through contrasting gemstones and sculptural forms.

Drawing on a design from 1962, HardWear’s distinctive U shaped links reflect the energy and resilience of New York City, now reimagined through contrasting gemstones and sculptural forms.

HardWear by Tiffany drop earrings combine Akoya pearls with signature 18 carat gold links.

HardWear by Tiffany drop earrings combine Akoya pearls with signature 18 carat gold links.

HardWear by Tiffany drop earrings feature turquoise beads suspended from signature 18 carat gold links.

HardWear by Tiffany drop earrings feature turquoise beads suspended from signature 18 carat gold links.

Simone Jewels: A Celestial Collection with Something Hidden

Singapore jeweller Simone Ng is marking 20 years of Simone Jewels with a five-part series revisiting ideas from the house’s past. Hidden Gems: Celestial Atlas is the fourth chapter, drawing inspiration from the stars, moons, suns, clouds and compass roses, and on the long history of travellers using the night sky to navigate.

 

The jewels have a few tricks up their sleeves. A Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline ring flips over to reveal a different design on its reverse, while sapphire and diamond earrings swivel to expose intricate guilloché patterns. Elsewhere, movable elements conceal gemstones that only become visible when the jewellery is opened or turned. It is a playful approach to High Jewellery, with plenty of surprises hidden in the details.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Simone Jewels unveils Hidden Gems: Celestial Atlas, a High Jewellery collection inspired by the night sky and humanity’s enduring spirit of discovery.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Simone Jewels unveils Hidden Gems: Celestial Atlas, a High Jewellery collection inspired by the night sky and humanity’s enduring spirit of discovery.

Drawing on an age when travellers navigated by the stars, moon and sun, Celestial Atlas translates ancient celestial navigation into contemporary jewellery.

Drawing on an age when travellers navigated by the stars, moon and sun, Celestial Atlas translates ancient celestial navigation into contemporary jewellery.

Stars, crescent moons, clouds and compass roses inspire fluid, feminine silhouettes, with celestial motifs shaping the collection’s distinctive forms.

Stars, crescent moons, clouds and compass roses inspire fluid, feminine silhouettes, with celestial motifs shaping the collection’s distinctive forms.

Vibrant coloured gemstones evoke the shifting hues of the heavens, from luminous horizons to the deeper tones of the night sky.

Vibrant coloured gemstones evoke the shifting hues of the heavens, from luminous horizons to the deeper tones of the night sky.

For founder and Creative Director Simone Ng, the collection reflects the belief that everyone carries their own guiding stars, waiting to be discovered.

For founder and Creative Director Simone Ng, the collection reflects the belief that everyone carries their own guiding stars, waiting to be discovered.

Like precious leaves unfolding, deep red gemstones are framed by sweeping curves of gold and diamonds, giving these sculptural earrings a sense of movement and drama.

Like precious leaves unfolding, deep red gemstones are framed by sweeping curves of gold and diamonds, giving these sculptural earrings a sense of movement and drama.

Presented as the fourth chapter in a five part anniversary narrative, Celestial Atlas revisits the Maison’s heritage through a contemporary exploration of femininity, strength and identity.

Presented as the fourth chapter in a five part anniversary narrative, Celestial Atlas revisits the Maison’s heritage through a contemporary exploration of femininity, strength and identity.

The Celestial Atlas tourmaline ring features a vivid pink centre stone surrounded by diamonds, with an openwork design reflecting the collection’s exploration of celestial forms.

The Celestial Atlas tourmaline ring features a vivid pink centre stone surrounded by diamonds, with an openwork design reflecting the collection’s exploration of celestial forms.

The Celestial Atlas tsavorite garnet earrings capture a moment of radiating light, with vibrant green gemstones surrounded by delicate gold and diamond rays that fan outwards in a striking, asymmetrical design.

The Celestial Atlas tsavorite garnet earrings capture a moment of radiating light, with vibrant green gemstones surrounded by delicate gold and diamond rays that fan outwards in a striking, asymmetrical design.

Until Next Week

That’s my edit for this week. See you next week for more news and discoveries from the jewellery world.

Bianca Blanari

WORDS

Bianca Blanari approaches jewellery as architecture in miniature, where form, structure, balance and elevation are distilled into objects of intimate scale. Bianca joined Katerina Perez as Club Editor and contributing writer in March.

BRANDS:

Audemars PiguetBoucheronMessikaSimone JewelsSotheby'sTiffany&Co

JEWELLERY TYPE:

BraceletCuffEarringsNecklaceTransformable Jewellery

MADE WITH:

Akoya pearlsDiamondsEmeraldEnamelSapphireTitaniumTurquoise

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