Wallace Chan: The jewellery virtuoso creates a porcelain five times stronger than steel
How many jewellers can you name that constantly strive to innovate? I can guarantee you could count them on both hands. One such person – the virtuoso of jewelled sculptures Wallace Chan – has been the most talked-about jeweller in the world for the last month of 2018. The reason? His latest innovative creation: Wallace Chan porcelain, which took seven years to develop.
In November 2018, 12 one-of-a-kind jewellery masterpieces were introduced to the world at a private exhibition in New York ‘Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan‘. Creations crafted in titanium and embellished with sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, opals, diamonds and a whole spectrum of precious gemstones were all decorated with or encased in the new jewellery material: Wallace Chan porcelain.
Wallace Chan at his 'Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan' event in New York
Wallace Chan's 'Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan' event in New York
Wallace Chan's 'Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan' event in New York
Wallace Chan's 'Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan' event in New York
Wallace Chan's porcelain spoon at the 'Shapeshifter: The Multiverse of Wallace Chan' event in New York
The Asian master’s truly original and highly recognisable stylistic approach was prominent in all of his rings, earrings and necklaces that served as his interpretations of the world around him and the universe itself. However, despite every piece being truly captivating, I chose to focus this interview on the latest invention – Wallace Chan Porcelain.
Wallace Chan ‘Dream Within a Dream’ transformable necklace with 96.71ct emerald, 74.35ct pear-shaped aquamarine, South Sea pearl, rubellite, emerald, pink sapphire, green tourmaline, amethyst and diamond, in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Shapeshifter’ pendant necklace with 0.80ct fancy yellow diamond and accenting fancy yellow diamond in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘A New Generation’ ring with sapphires of 6.303ct, 3.24ct and 3.17ct alternately, aquamarine, diamond and sapphire in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘A New Generation’ ring with sapphires of 6.303ct, 3.24ct and 3.17ct alternately, aquamarine, diamond and sapphire in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘A New Generation’ ring with sapphires of 6.303ct, 3.24ct and 3.17ct alternately, aquamarine, diamond and sapphire in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Double Star’ ring with 6.39 ct fancy coloured diamond, 38.90 ct aquamarine, 1.48 ct pear shaped pink sapphire, pink sapphire, sapphire and diamond in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Double Star’ ring with 6.39 ct fancy coloured diamond, 38.90 ct aquamarine, 1.48 ct pear shaped pink sapphire, pink sapphire, sapphire and diamond in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Eye of Time’ pendant with 1.06ct fancy yellow diamond, sapphire and diamond in 18K white gold, lens, titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Dream Planet’ ring with diamond, crystal, lapis lazuli, opal and pink sapphire in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Multiverse’ earrings with South Sea Pearls totaling 58.45ct, fancy yellow diamond, diamond and pink sapphire in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
Wallace Chan ‘Starlight Ballet’ ring with 12.88ct spinel, diamond and pink sapphire in titanium and Wallace Chan Porcelain
“I learned a great deal during the creation process, so I very much value all the challenges I encountered – they help me grow and change,” this was the last thing that the Asian jewellery virtuoso told me, and it perfectly explains his burning desire to constantly bend the boundaries of what is perceived to be possible in jewellery design.
WORDS
Katerina Perez With more than 12 years’ experience in the jewellery sector, Katerina Perez’s expert knowledge spans everything from retail sales and management to content creation, including brand building, jewellery writing and styling. Born and raised in St Petersburg, Katerina’s favourite hobby as a child was playing with the treasures in her grandmother's jewellery box, inspiring a lifelong love of jewellery from a very early age. She spent five years in St Petersburg University of Culture and Arts studying not journalism but business studies and languages, and her writing skills have developed as her passion for her favourite subject – jewellery – has grown. This is why her writing comes straight from the heart rather than the pages of a book. Daughter of an entrepreneur mother, Katerina exchanged her retail management job for jewellery writing in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
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