Coral Reef: Boghossian Celebrates 10 Years of Kissing Diamonds with Dreamy New High Jewellery

September 21, 2021

By Katerina Perez

6 min read

What do gemstones and marine life have in common? Their natural habitats are hidden from view. Perhaps that is why, when encountering them, we are seized by curiosity and admiration. For the Swiss jewellery brand Boghossian, this very notion – both simple and deep – is the subject of the colourful new Coral Reef high jewellery collection.

This year, Boghossian celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Kissing Diamonds collection. It was in this collection that the brand’s founder and creative director, Albert Boghossian, trialled an interesting design solution that allows stones to float over one another for the very first time. Generally, two stones are used as follows: the upper one is cut according to classical rules, while the lower one has a flatter shape, acting as a supporting pedestal to the former.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with rubellites, tanzanites and diamonds, set in 18k white gold

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with rubellites, tanzanites and diamonds, set in 18k white gold

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef diamond and multi-colour gemstone necklace, with baguette-cut diamond and emerald-cut rubellite, set using the ‘Kissing’ technique, surrounded by lozenge-shaped green tourmaline, pear-shaped diamonds and rock crystal links in 18k white gold

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef diamond and multi-colour gemstone necklace, with baguette-cut diamond and emerald-cut rubellite, set using the ‘Kissing’ technique, surrounded by lozenge-shaped green tourmaline, pear-shaped diamonds and rock crystal links in 18k white gold

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with oval-shaped diamonds set in coloured gemstones using the 'Kissing' technique

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with oval-shaped diamonds set in coloured gemstones using the 'Kissing' technique

We want to set new precedents in the jewellery industry. Rather than maintain the status quo, we want to constantly redefine, reinterpret and reimagine the codes of the past. Geneva’s highly specialised jewellery ateliers also proved fertile ground for such experimentation and development. Our goal is to enhance and elevate nature’s greatest treasures – the gems themselves – by setting them in distinctive designs that surprise and astonish. – Roberto Boghossian

This duet of stones – carefully selected for their Kissing Diamonds suitability – not only emphasises the individual charm of each gem but also serves to enhance them significantly due to the light touch of the upper gemstone’s cutlet on the table of the lower one. Saturation of colour, the enchanting glow of the edges, a spectacular play of shades – whichever of these characteristics you take note of, each one of them succeeds in Kissing Diamonds.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef matching necklace and earring suite with aquamarines

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef matching necklace and earring suite with aquamarines

This intricate setting was achieved through revolutionary techniques, whereby the aim was to reduce gold to a minimum, freeing the gems and allowing them to shine in a unique and powerful way. It takes meticulous work, know-how and precision to achieve such a result. It has taken us quite some years to fully master this technique. – Roberto Boghossian

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with two asscher cut diamonds of 1.51 carats each and 31.82 carats of green beryl

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with two asscher cut diamonds of 1.51 carats each and 31.82 carats of green beryl

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef pear-shaped sapphire briolette earrings with two pear-shaped diamonds

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef pear-shaped sapphire briolette earrings with two pear-shaped diamonds

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef hexagonal shaped diamond and boulder opal bracelet with an 18k white gold mesh of diamonds edged with sapphires

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef hexagonal shaped diamond and boulder opal bracelet with an 18k white gold mesh of diamonds edged with sapphires

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with a 1.60 carat marquise-cut diamond set over a tanzanite cabochon

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with a 1.60 carat marquise-cut diamond set over a tanzanite cabochon

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with two pear-shaped diamonds of 1.50 and 1.26 carats, set over Madagascan aquamarines

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with two pear-shaped diamonds of 1.50 and 1.26 carats, set over Madagascan aquamarines

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef opal necklace with a pear-shaped 4.57 carat pink spinel set over a yellow opal

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef opal necklace with a pear-shaped 4.57 carat pink spinel set over a yellow opal

Admirers of the Swiss maison have probably noticed that the Boghossian family regularly turns to the historic Silk Road for inspiration, and the Coral Reef collection is no exception. It references the bays and seas that are found along the ancient route, which spans from China to the Mediterranean.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef matching necklace and earrings suite with green tourmaline, moonstones, tanzanite and yellow diamonds

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef matching necklace and earrings suite with green tourmaline, moonstones, tanzanite and yellow diamonds

According to Roberto: “Boghossian jewellery is inspired by a blend of Eastern and Western influences, intertwined with the intricacy of the Silk Route. From the East, we take the richness of patterns and the vibrancy of colours. From the West, we adopted the freshness of style and technical innovation.” Every piece in the Coral Reef collection is a clear confirmation of this.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with rock crystal links, set with sapphire, Paraiba tourmaline, pink and green tourmaline, aquamarine and kunzite, topped with white diamonds using the ‘Kissing’ technique in 18k white gold

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with rock crystal links, set with sapphire, Paraiba tourmaline, pink and green tourmaline, aquamarine and kunzite, topped with white diamonds using the ‘Kissing’ technique in 18k white gold

But let’s get straight to the collection. The central and most spectacular necklace was inspired by an old-fashioned clutch bag from the family’s personal collection, or rather its rock crystal chain handle. The necklace also consists of quartz links holding six gems: sapphire, paraiba tourmaline, kunzite, aquamarine, pink tourmaline and green tourmaline. The diamonds floating above them smoothly turn into a thin thread of sparkling stones that run along the inner part of the links. Another necklace in a similar style is adorned with diamond-shaped green tourmaline, emerald-cut scarlet rubellite and diamonds.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with diamond and sapphire inlaid into opal, aquamarine beads and turquoise set in 18k white gold

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with diamond and sapphire inlaid into opal, aquamarine beads and turquoise set in 18k white gold

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with green tourmaline and opal

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with green tourmaline and opal

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with opal, sapphires, emeralds and a diamond mesh

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef earrings with opal, sapphires, emeralds and a diamond mesh

Turquoise has recently begun to appear in the high jewellery collections of modern brands, but Boghossian is so bold when it comes to design that it has been forming collections using this colour since its very inception. In Coral Reef, this opaque stone provides an accent colour for a necklace of sapphires, aquamarines and diamonds that are suspended above the surface of opals coloured by Mother Nature in the shades of sea waves.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with a 3.10 carat fancy yellow diamond set over a pear-shaped green opal using the ‘Kissing’ technique in 18k yellow gold

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef necklace with a 3.10 carat fancy yellow diamond set over a pear-shaped green opal using the ‘Kissing’ technique in 18k yellow gold

Incidentally, opals in this collection are a key accompaniment to diamonds. For example, a pear-shaped green opal stone contrasts favourably with a 3.10-carat deep yellow diamond. Together, these two stones give each other a second wind and a second life. And an oval opal boulder takes centre stage in a diamond bracelet, acting as a pedestal for a hexagonal diamond. As for earrings and rings, Boghossian chose more familiar combinations of stones, including kunzite with a ruby or diamond, and tanzanites combined with rubellites or emeralds. The highlight of some earring designs, however, is not so much in the Kissing technique as in the asymmetry and bright combination of shades.

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef ring with an oval-shaped ‘Siam’ ruby set over a cushion-cut kunzite using the ‘Kissing’ technique, surrounded by pink sapphires and set in 18k rose gold

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef ring with an oval-shaped ‘Siam’ ruby set over a cushion-cut kunzite using the ‘Kissing’ technique, surrounded by pink sapphires and set in 18k rose gold

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef ring with tsavorite and tourmaline

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef ring with tsavorite and tourmaline

 Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef diamond and Ceylon sapphire ring

Boghossian Kissing Collection Coral Reef diamond and Ceylon sapphire ring

The iconic Kissing Diamonds design technique is now 10 years old and the number of pieces with paired stones totals more than 100 unique works. Time after time, Boghossian presents a new interpretation of its signature crafting skill that never ceases to amaze us all.

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