Celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, Boucheron harnesses the beguiling light seen from its boutique in the storied Place Vendôme as inspiration for its newest high jewelry collection, ”Hôtel de la Lumière”. Eight chapters of jewels, both distinct from and integral to one another, illustrate the Maison’s story, one in which light reigns, while also representing the eight unique facets of the Place Vendôme.
Frédéric Boucheron moved to the Place Vendôme in 1893, becoming the first contemporary jeweler to ever open a boutique there. Fascinated by light, he chose number 26 where the sun’s rays shine on the stones from dawn till dusk.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Just as the rising sun’s rays illuminate the world each morning, the story opens with ‘Soleil Radiant’. The star jewel of this introductory episode is a diamond necklace inspired by the airy and elegant sun motifs of Louis XIV, the Sun King. The delicate diamond rays radiate in a variety of diamond cuts, including baguette, princess and round cut diamonds.
The ‘Soleil Radiant’ necklace and its decorative box.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Soleil Radiant white gold necklace set with white diamonds and rock crystal.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Next on this sparkling story is the ‘Paon de Lune’ (Moon Peacock) collection. A favorite of Boucheron, the peacock and its alluring feathers once again inspire the jewels of the Maison. The moon’s cool-colored light softly scintillates the world during the darkest hours of the night, an effect that is expressed through the peacock’s feathers made of rock crystal, diamonds and aquamarines.
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Paon de Lune necklace in white gold, set with white diamonds, rock crystal and aquamarine.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
The ‘Paon de Lune’ shoulder brooch
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
For the following facet of light’s tale, cascading diamonds elicit the flowing champagne poured from the top of a pyramid of glasses, the effervescent nectar of the gods filling each one perfectly. ’Cascade de Diamants’ (Cascade of Diamonds) captures this effect to perfection with its endless stream of sparkling diamonds that flow from the rock crystal collar of the collection’s starring necklace. A pair of matching chandelier earrings complete this shimmering set.
The Cascade de Diamants necklace
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
The Cascade de Diamants necklace
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Continuing to glean inspiration from champagne, the story proceeds with ‘Perles d’Éclat’ (Pearls of Radiance), referring to the wine’s bubbles. Once perceived as a fatal fault in the wine produced by the Champenois, the bubbles in champagne grew in popularity thanks in large part to the efforts to improve the quality of the bubbling wine pioneered by Dom Pérignon in the 17th century. To capture the bubbly effect, the ‘Perles d’Éclat’ set of jewelry features diamonds that appear suspended in rock crystal orbs, evoking the same airiness and effervescence of champagne.
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Perles d’Eclat white gold necklace with rock crystal bubbles and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron’s next collection in the journey of light, ‘Halo Delilah’, pays homage to the Maison’s ancestors, a family of cloth drapers, where woven threads of gold disappear behind dazzling gemstones in designs inspired from Haute Couture.
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Halo Delilah necklace in white gold, set with morganites and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Freedom and femininity define the next collection in the series, ‘Goutte de Lumière’ (Drop of Light), inspired by Gabrielle Boucheron and her bohemian chic spirit.
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Goutte de Lumiere white gold necklace set with rock crystal and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
‘Messagers Célestes’, the seventh episode of the story, depicts a series of insects, aerial emissaries and companions of the sun, in a vibrant array of colorful jewels and precious metals.
The “Messagers Célestes” rings
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
The ‘Messagers Célestes’ ring
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Wrapping up this enlightened journey is the ‘Fleur du Jour’ (Flower of Daylight) collection, an ode to nature and springtime. The starring jeweled necklace curls around the neck, forming an open “question mark”, at the end of which suspends a pair of overlapping flowers – one made of carved pink tourmaline and the other with diamonds. The set is a precious and elegant ending to Boucheron’s allegory of light.
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Boucheron Fleur De Jour necklace in white gold, set with rock crystal, white diamonds, pink tourmaline and grey mother of pearl.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Boucheron Fleur De Jour brooch in white gold, set with rock crystal, white diamonds, pink tourmaline and grey mother of pearl.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Here are a few more jewels from Boucheron’s ”Hôtel de la Lumière” High Jewelry Collection:
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Soleil Radiant white gold pendant earrings set with white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Soleil Radiant white gold ring set with white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Paon de Lune ring in white gold, set with aquamarine and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Paon de Lune brooch in white gold, with white diamonds and aquamarine set on a meteorite and diamond base.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Paon de Lune earrings in white gold, set with aquamarine and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Cascade de Diamants ring in white gold set with rock crystal and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Cascade de Diamants pendant earrings in white gold, set with white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Perles d’Eclat ring in white gold, set with a rock crystal bubble and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Halo Delilah ring in white gold, set with white diamonds and morganite.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Halo Delilah earrings in white gold, set with morganites and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Goutte de Lumiere white gold ring set with rock crystal and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Goutte de Lumiere white gold earrings set with rock crystal and white diamonds.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Boucheron Fleur De Jour ring in white gold, set with white diamonds and grey mother of pearl.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
Boucheron Hotel de la Lumière Boucheron Fleur De Jour earrings in white gold, set with white golds and grey mother of pearl.
Photo courtesy of Boucheron
The post Let There Be Light! Boucheron’s “Hôtel de la Lumière” High Jewelry Collection appeared first on Jewels du Jour .