The Nomad Card Wallet Plus can store 16 cards max, 12 with folded notes, and is made with thermoformed leather to prevent wear and tear.
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In a few months, we can finally see how Audi’s RS Q E-Tron performs against its rivals with regular combustion engines at the 2022 Dakar Rally
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The 2022 Living Vehicle Pro-EV makes living off-grid totally possible thanks to solar panels that run most of the electrical components including the washing machine, oven, 70-inch HDTV, shower, and more.
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Hardcore gamers are the types of consumers that won’t hesitate to splurge on something they suddenly fancy. We should know because some of us here have been addicted to video…
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The AGLUCKY Ice Maker produces nine trays of smooth, bullet-shaped ice cubes fast and quietly so you never run out of ice when needed.
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In this article, we list some of the best ways to spend your free time. If you are bored of lying on your sofa, read on.
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We discover why Sydney is continuing its dominance as one of the top cities in the world in which to live, placemaking has been brought further into the limelight by both government and developers.
One Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia. Image: LendLease Australia.
Sydney has some of the best parks of any major city in the world. From its network of parklands to its vast open spaces, the capital of New South Wales (NSW) has been designed to maximise outdoor living for its 5.3 million residents. A 50-year vision announced last year will see the entire metropolitan area under a single plan.
NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how we need to change the way we look at our public spaces – not as parks in a city but rather as Sydney as a city within a park.”
Placemaking is taken very seriously in this part of the world. For the uninitiated, placemaking refers to the process involved in strengthening the connection between people and the places they share.
One Sydney Harbour – Living room design and configuration. Image: LendLease Australia
By reimagining and then capitalising on a community’s assets – including parks, waterfronts, plazas, streets, markets, and both public and private buildings – placemaking can create high-quality spaces that contribute to people’s health, happiness, and wellbeing. Examples of this can include public art installations, pop-up parks, laneway activations, and food and music festivals.
With placemaking in mind, late last year the NSW government set up a new independent advisory committee for the purpose of guiding the creation of great places across the entire state.
To achieve this, four objectives were developed to ensure that Sydney remains a cultural and creative city. This is part of the Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan which entails the following:
Encourage the appreciation and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and its expression, as there is still not enough being done to help with cultural understanding and respect as well as the economic impact that comes with a lack of employment opportunities.
Support cultural activity, participation, and interaction in several ways, such as planning the building of new facilities that will help to increase participation among residents, which is lacking due to a perception that the city does not nurture enough artists and performers. Support the development of creative industries due to a lack of recognition until recently and relatively few spaces required to grow industries such as film, broadcasting, and music.
Provide cultural leadership and strengthen cultural partnerships to help increase investment into the cultural infrastructure of the city and provide the buildings, studios, galleries, and other spaces needed to meet the demands of the growing population.
Since Sustainable Sydney 2030 kicked off in 2008, the City has invested approximately AUD 34.7 million (approx. USD 26.7 million) annually, while also starting a public art strategy called City Art which is bringing in AUD 20 million (approx. USD 15.4 million) of investment through this year. It’s not just about creating spaces for art to be displayed either, it’s also about creating affordable spaces for artists to work in. There is a serious lack of affordable studios and meeting places for young creatives in Sydney and this is forcing them to move to other towns across Australia. City Art has played an important part in turning Sydney’s creative scene around.
Let’s now take a deep dive into some of the best projects across Sydney that embody placemaking at their heart.
Barangaroo: One Sydney Harbour
Barangaroo is one of the most unique and exciting projects in Sydney. The massive redevelopment project took what was once a 22-hectare disused container port near the CBD and turned it into a sanctuary for residents to live, work, and enjoy the outdoors right in the heart of Sydney. The area will include extensive parks and exceptional dining options, not to mention access to numerous ferries and an upcoming metro.
Barangaroo also happens to be Australia’s first carbon-neutral precinct, which it obtained in 2019 under Sustainability Manager Anita Mitchell, who is now the head of the NSW government’s placemaking committee. Environment Minister Matt Kean said, “This world-leading accomplishment builds on the existing sustainability achievements at Barangaroo, including water harvesting and recycling, centralised cooling through the use of water from Sydney Harbour, and its net-zero emissions from waste aspirations”.
Lendlease CEO, Steve McCann said, “Fundamental to the precinct’s success was the creation of a “secret city” – with an approximately 830,000-square-foot basement hosting all precinct infrastructure. On top of this, our buildings are designed to reduce energy use by 75 per cent, solar panels saturate the rooftops and seawater from Sydney Harbour cools air-conditioning systems across the precinct. With the support of our tenants and investor community, the Barangaroo precinct is the first of its kind with all four sides of the buildings activated to create a walkable plane”.
One Sydney Harbour is located in the Barangaroo precinct. Designed by Renzo Piano, the world-renowned architect known for buildings such as The Shard in London and Eighty-Seven Park in Miami Beach, One Sydney Harbour is set to become one of Sydney’s most sought-after residences. Developed by Lendlease, the buildings each feature a glistening facade of glass that reflects the light differently depending on the time of day making for a spectacular site for adoring onlookers.
Swimming pool at One Sydney Harbour. Image: LendLease Australia.
“The brightness of the sky will be captured, refracting the glittering Sydney light, right to the top where the penthouse apartments merge into the sky. The result is a trio of graceful buildings that capture and play with light, like harbour waters in the morning sun”, said Piano.
The luxurious residences come in one- to four-bedroom layouts. These fit into three collections – Harbour, Signature, Luxury. Each residence provides residents with a winter garden perfect for enjoying Sydney’s year-round sunshine, along with full-sized windows to let in that spectacular light and breathtaking views the surroundings have to offer.
There’s more for residents to enjoy in terms of amenities. Swimming pools with views looking out over the harbour as well as a jacuzzi spa and steam room provide a luxurious and relaxing way to spend time in One Sydney Harbour. Residents can also make use of a private dining room, wine room, Orangerie, and billiards room for those who enjoy a bit of recreation after some fine dining.
www.onesydneyharbour.com
Crown Residences at One Barangaroo
Also located at Barangaroo is the Crown Residences at One Barangaroo. This spectacular development, created by architects Wilkinson Eyre, who is famous for designing Singapore’s Gardens by The Bay, features 82 luxurious residences and was designed to be a landmark to the beautiful city below.
Artist’s rendering of a posh unit at Crown Residences at One Barangaroo. Image: Crown Residences Australia.
Design firm, Meyer Davis, has taken the interior design to the next level and ensured that each residence will offer its occupants a spacious and spectacular living space high above the bustling harbour below.
Living in Crown Residences is like living in your own luxury hotel. Residences come in two- to five-bedroom layouts, as well as duplex penthouses offering the utmost in luxury accommodation in the sky. Amenities and services such as in-residence dining, restaurants, valet parking, concierge, and spa services also provide you with the ultimate excuse to not have to travel far from Barangaroo.
www.onebarangaroo.com.au
Sydney CBD: Greenland Centre Sydney
One project that has taken art straight to its heart is the Greenland Centre Sydney by Greenland Australia. Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, the luxury condominium (and tallest residential building in Sydney) features the Greenland Centre Creative Hub which is an AUD 25 million (approx. USD 19.25 million) state-of-the-art facilities that’ll meet the needs of creatives in all shapes and forms. The five-storey facility has space for everything from dancers and music, to film, theatre, and other forms of visual arts.
Penthouse terrace dining. Image: Greenland Australia.
The Greenland Centre Creative Hub is a collaboration between the developer and the City of Sydney to promote the public interest because it’s being created for the public’s benefit. It’s the first time the term ‘public benefit’ has been used for artist and creative team spaces, as well as being the only place in inner-Sydney to offer these facilities.
That’s not all Greenland Australia is up to. The Greenland Centre Sydney Tower recently unveiled permanent artworks on its façade and in its main foyer. Internationally acclaimed New Mexican artist Larry Bell currently has his artwork under installation on the main façade. Named “Andamooka: Portraits of Red”, the grandiose sculpture is made of cantilevered blades of coloured glass with panels that are approximately 12 metres in height and peers over the footpath below the north face of the building.
The second piece of artwork is a mosaic piece by local Australian-based artist Agatha Gothe-Snape. Named “The Noblest of the Elements is Water”, the large artwork measures 5 by 17 metres and will overlook the East Lane of the building. Water is fundamental to civilisation and humankind’s very survival and the mosaic of sintered glass, Murano smalti-covered ceramic tiles, fired ceramic tiles, and natural split-face marble embodies that message. It also connects it to the neighbouring Primus Hotel, which previously operated as the city’s Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board headquarters from 1939 to 2009.
Both pieces were approved by the City of Sydney’s Public Art Advisory Panel. According to Greenland Australia’s CEO, Sherwood Luo, “We couldn’t be more excited to reach this point in the building’s progression, where we are finally able to add the finishing touches, including these stunning artworks, and we wouldn’t have got to this point without our fruitful relationship with the City of Sydney.
Penthouse spa area. Image: Greenland Australia.
“In addition to these two stunning artworks, we look forward to handing over the keys to the City of Sydney Creative Hub, which will occupy 21,540 square feet across the first five floors of the building and soon become a home to the city’s growing arts community,” said Mr Luo.
Greenland Centre Sydney is set to become one of the premier destinations in Sydney when it completes this year. The luxurious apartment building features 479 apartments ranging in size from 420to 2,854 square foot, as well as a 7,258-square-foot penthouse. All residents will have access to a 30-metre indoor-outdoor swimming pool as well as other amenities including a sauna, spa, steam room, outdoor sundeck, and a multi-function residents’ room.
greenlandcentre.com.au
Epping: The Langston
Located in the north-western suburb of Epping in Sydney, The Langston is being built a short distance from the revamped train station and the new Sydney Metro North West. Developed by Cbus Property, designed by Architectus, and under construction by Hutchinson Builders, the residences will feature three towers and include a vibrant mixed-use precinct offering plenty of retail and communal open space. Importantly, the project provides a pedestrian link that runs through the site and connects locals to the adjacent Pembroke Street Park, the Epping public library, and plenty of recreational facilities on the eastern side of the train station.
Garden pool at The Langston, Sydney. Image: Cbus Property.
In order to provide the neighbourhood with a taste of what’s to come at The Langston, Cbus Property planned a placemaking initiative – ‘The Langston Weekender’ – in late 2018, prior to the commencement of construction. The event brought together multiple activation themes such as food and beverage, public art, markets, live music, and temporary retail into one precinct, drawing pedestrian traffic to the site and supporting the future vision of The Langston. Once the project completes later this year, there are plans to hold The Langston Weekender as a regular community event, supporting the onsite retail and encouraging ongoing activation of the site.
Rooftop deck of The Langston, Sydney. Image: Cbus Property.
According to Adrian Pozzo, Chief Executive Officer of Cbus Property, building confidence in the project involves a commitment to the community. “At Cbus Property, we’re conscious of the role a project such as The Langston will play in the future of Epping, and that’s why we undertake regular community consultation,” he said. “This can come in many forms – through direct meetings with community groups, formalised quarterly Construction Liaison Committee meetings, or even at community-facing events. On The Langston project, we are ticking all of these boxes because we want to go above and beyond when it comes to engaging with the people of Epping.”
Since the start of COVID-19, the developer has also taken into account additional lifestyle amenities residents now want from their homes. Recognising the shift in buyer requirements, Cbus Property worked with Architectus to redesign the lower floor plates in The Langston’s second stage launch, Central, to incorporate a range of exceptional new amenity offerings. These include a pool deck, sky lounge, dining spaces, and a wellness hub (including gym and yoga space) that were not part of the project’s original design. There will also be on-site resident study areas and shared co-working spaces. These additional amenities will be available to all purchasers.
www.thelangstonepping.com
The post Sydney Leads The World With Its Placemaking Projects appeared first on LUXUO.
Unlike the first digital Watches & Wonders in 2020 edition, at the start of the pandemic, the organisers of Watches & Wonders Geneva knew well beforehand that the fair had to take place digitally again this year. (The 2020 edition was the first major all-digital watch fair ever, and it took place at such a radical moment in history that no one faulted it for anything — Ed). An online platform was developed specifically for journalists from around the world to attend brand announcements, join press group e-meetings and retrieve necessary materials from the media centre. And, totally by coincidence, this year’s event is bigger than ever with 38 participating brands, partly because it has welcomed some former exhibitors from the now-defunct Baselworld (HourUniverse remains unconfirmed for this year). That means there are even more watches to talk about for Watches & Wonders 2021, and below are the ones I am personally impressed with.
For the 90th anniversary of the Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre enters a new frontier with a quadriptyque Reverso bearing two dials on the case and two more on the cradle. The watch, known as the Reverso Hybris Mechanica Calibre 185, packs most of the expected high-end complications and more, such as the tourbillon, perpetual calendar, four-digit year indication, minute repeater, moon phase as seen from the northern and the southern hemispheres, and the apogee, perigee and height of the moon. Essentially, this feature can be used to predict phenomena such as the supermoons and the solar and lunar eclipses.
You may now wonder how the cradle-side indications advance each day, considering the fact that the cradle is not mechanically linked to the watch’s movement inside the case. A trick is ingeniously built into the watch case in the form of a pin that emerges at midnight to actuate a trigger at the top of the cradle. This clever trick makes it possible for the cradle to remain as thin as possible so as to preserve the proportions of the Reverso. For this arrangement, the only restriction is for the case to not be slid out of the cradle around midnight — otherwise the cradle-side indications will miss their nightly advance.
More traditional but hardly conventional, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar fills the very large gap left between the Lange 1 Daymatic and the Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. The unique calendar display with the dial flange month ring is retained. Of course, the new day/night indicator is integrated into the moon phase window. And do not refer to this as a salmon dial because it is not! The dial is actually made of pink gold and shows its natural hue. It looks fantastic with the white gold case but only 150 units are produced with this aesthetic. The only regular production reference, for the time being, is in pink gold with a gray dial.
Another perpetual calendar watch caught my eye, and it is an anticipated development. After several high-end complications, it is time for Bvlgari to give the very well-established Octo collection the perpetual calendar complication. The moon phase indication is understandably omitted from this perpetual calendar watch because, design-wise, Bvlgari needs to preserve the minimalistic aesthetics of the Octo while ensuring that the various indications are legible (and they did a great job). The case needs to be so slim as to break the world record as well, resulting in a titanium case that is merely 5.8mm thick. At the same time, a platinum model is offered with a blue lacquered dial for collectors who prefer a metallic gleam on their timepieces.
And then we have the L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25: the first jumping hour watch from Chopard, released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier. This simplistic-looking timepiece houses within its 40mm ethical rose gold case the L.U.C 98.06-L manual-winding movement with eight days of power reserve from the use of four barrels (hence, the name Quattro). If you have been following Chopard closely, you may protest, saying that Quattro movements are good for nine days, but this is not the case as considerable power is required to advance the hour disc in an instantaneous manner. On the grand feu enamelled and domed dial, the hour window is fixed at the six o’clock position so that it will not be blocked from view by the minute hand at the top of each hour when the action takes place.
Continuing with simplistic appearances, there is much more than meets the eye for the 2021 Tank Must. First of all, in addition to the mechanical and regular quartz models, there are references produced with the SolarBeat movement that harnesses energy from sunlight. You cannot see the typical solar cells because they are cleverly hidden underneath the classical dial where the Roman numerals are perforated to allow light through. Secondly, the animal-free strap is made of plant material, mainly apples, to be more environmentally friendly. Four Cartier Tank Must models feature this movement and strap combination: the large model with either a black or light blue strap and the small model with either a black or light green strap.
Then came the stellar surprise… from Louis Vuitton! La Fabrique du Temps in Geneva is the watchmaking studio behind Louis Vuitton’s many complications. So, to add more spectacle to the 2021 watch scene, Louis Vuitton has introduced the Tambour Carpe Diem. By pushing the shaped button on the side of the case, the snake on the dial will move its head to reveal the jumping hour indication, and point its tail to the current minute. Meanwhile, the famous monogram flower motif will appear in the left eye of the skull, and the jaw will open to reveal the words “CARPE DIEM” or “seize the day”. The show lasts 16 seconds, and, yes, that hourglass is the watch’s indication for its 100-hour power reserve.
Lastly, for watch collectors who are always eager to see bigger and badder toys, their subconscious wishes usually come true when the watch brands come up with the same dreams and transform their imagination into actual products. In this particular case, we have the UFO or the Unidentified Floating Object that is conceptualised by Ulysse Nardin in Le Locle and executed by famed clockmaker L’Epée in Delemont. Weighing 7.2 kilograms, the UFO is capable of swinging up to 60 degrees from the axis because of the balance provided by the blue, half-spherical aluminium base and the hidden tungsten mass. Mechanically, the futuristic clock displays time in three zones on separate dials with six barrels providing a power reserve of one year. Only 75 units of the UFO will be produced to mark the 175th anniversary of the company.
For more reads on watches, click here.
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Although it still has the original silhouette of the donor car, B is for Build’s Chris Steinbacher gave the Jumpacan an insane visual overhaul.
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Image: Matthew Lim
Matthew Lim embodies the “If you want something, go get it” philosophy. The 32-year-old technopreneur left his cushy Credit Suisse investment banking job in 2015 to found Vidy, a blockchain-powered digital advertising tool. Today, Vidy’s advertising partners include the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Deliveroo, Vespa, and more.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Lim has always been looking for ways to forge ahead with his business. Last year, he began looking into the NFT space and realised a potential for something huge, so he co-founded NFKings. The venture is an NFT creatives and production company that aims to rethink the digital-creativity space, and provide IP holders with alternate revenue streams and monetisation opportunities. This goal has recently been given a boost, thanks to a new investment by Binance, the world’s largest bitcoin and altcoin crypto exchange. To find out a little more about this investment and what it means for NFKings, we caught up with Lim for a quick chat.
From investment banking at Credit Suisse, to starting my own tech company in San Francisco called Vidy, and finally entering the blockchain space in 2018 with Vidy, I have experienced both the traditional and crypto world in quite some depth.
They are completely opposite worlds and I never thought the two could one day find a channel to merge. NFTs was that channel. And because I understood what traditional businesses and brands wanted, and also what the crypto world wanted, I decided to set up NFKings to be that bridge in the NFT space. We focus on signing up IPs and Brands, create, produce and gamify their NFTs and fan tokens, distribute them on NFT platforms such as our official partner Binance.
Image: NFKings
I started to look into the NFT space towards late 2020 as we were starting to get more inquiries from our clients who use our Vidy technology, especially the fashion magazines, about the potential of NFTs. They were starting to see potential in this space and were curious but yet did not know how to enter. That was when I thought I could play a role in bridging that knowledge gap.
It is definitely a substantial innovation on the blockchain. It is an opportunity for IPs and Brands to digitise and monetise their assets, a channel to now interact with the increasingly tech-savvy userbase, and for the crypto world, a way to finally attract the traditional world folks to enter the space. New non-crypto users have always been the biggest challenge but now with NFTs, it is an excellent opportunity. However, in terms of the valuation of NFTs, I think there is a slight bubble, however, this is normal for any new fast-growing industry.
We brought Binance their very first Mystery Box IP on their NFT platform that debuted on the 24th June 2021. We sold a gross value of US$2.5 million of tokidoki NFT products in a matter of seconds. tokidoki is already a very successful fashion brand that is part of the hype culture. We showed them how digitising their products could create monetisation opportunities but also greater fan base engagement with their fans. Obviously, a lot of credit goes to Binance for sustaining such an active userbase as well.
The reason why I believe what NFKings is doing is very important, not just as a business, but as a contributor of real IPs to the NFT space is that at the moment, anybody can create an NFT. There is little or no barriers to entry. Therefore, you start to see all kinds of NFTs on decentralised marketplaces that infringe IP rights of brands or have no IP at all.
When you issue an NFT for a real brand or IP, you ensure that there is depth in the ecosystem for that NFT. This means that there is utility for that particular NFT that has been issued, there is the intrinsic value behind that NFT which can be portrayed through offline activities, etc. I think that is the most important for sustainability and also maintaining an active secondary market.
Image: NFKings
The downside to NFTs is that many investors treat it as a purely speculative asset class. For newcomers and investors, just like the advice in the art world, buy something you like. Buy something that you want to keep for a longer period of time. Do not buy it hoping it will flip 10 times in 1 hour.
To be really honest, I have zero experience in dealing with IP rights or Brand rights. I learned all of that as I put together this company. But it is also a lot of common sense you pick up along my entrepreneurial journey.
Image: Matthew Lim
The investment from Binance means more to NFKings from a strategic angle than from a financial angle. With their investment, it validates the value-add that we bring to their NFT platform, it also makes us a lot more credible when we speak with famous brands and IPs. This is certainly a major turning point for us.
We are in the midst of closing our next strategic round of investment from some very notable investors and IPs. So we have a really strong pipeline of IPs coming through soon. Go to Binance NFT to find out more!
Covid-19 has changed many people’s lives for better or worse. I see it as a way to remind ourselves not to take for granted anything in life, to always be positive and be adaptable. Obviously, there are many who have suffered from this pandemic and I pray that this saga passes us by sooner than later.
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Saint Laurent Rive Droite is paying homage to American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in a new capsule collection and exhibition. The French label announced that it has worked with the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Galerie Enrico Navarra to curate a range of novelties and a showcase.
The Basquiat-centric exhibition will be held at Saint Laurent Rive Droite stores in Paris and Los Angeles until September. Visitors can expect to see some of the most sought-after pieces by Basquiat. This includes a silkscreen, 18 original lithographs, several drawings, ceramic plates that belonged to Andy Warhol, a spoon, and a denim jacket from one of the first actions held for the fight against AIDS.
Accompanying the exhibition is an eclectic range of lifestyle products which visitors can pick up as souvenirs. These are inspired by the works of Basquiat and elements of the artist’s artistic style appear on items such as tote bags, tops, cross-body bags and backpacks.
The star of the show will definitely be the skimboards and skateboard triptych, which are probably the most prized. Elsewhere, iPhone cases, books on the artist, posters and a limited edition range of Saint Laurent undergarments can also be found.
Anthony Vaccarello, the creative director of Saint Laurent, has proactively introduced new elements into the brand. His past collaborations include a capsule collection done with Italian design group Memphis and Japanese toy brand Nanoblock. He has also worked with Helmut Lang for an exhibition.
While Basquiat has earned his reputation as a celebrated contemporary artist in the 1980s, a collaboration with the fashion world is not something new for him. He has modelled for Comme des Garçons in 1987 and was a fan of Issey Miyake’s tailoring. Basquiat cultivated a signature style that reflected both his Haitian heritage and that of Miyake’s — leather jackets and loose shirts were his go-to. The late American artist’s influence does not just stop at the higher rungs of fashion but throughout the industry, as seen in the autumn/winter 2020 collection by Coach and in Uniqlo UT’s New Tee collection.
The Saint Laurent Rive Droite x Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat x Galerie Enrico Navarra capsule collection is now available online here.
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Richard Mille calls it the Automatic Le Mans Classic and the racing vibes are strong with its profile
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Now you can optimize your workspace with the modular nature of the Monogram Creative Console which let's you personalize its configurations.
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The Wanderr Chair from OME Gear is a 5-in-1 high-strength recreational product that transforms into a cart, lounge and high chair, camping cot, and more.
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These exclusive Air Jordan IV sneakers feature a transparent outsole with Eastside Golf’s Be You canvas artwork visible underneath.
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The world’s largest sapphire cluster was found hidden in a man’s backyard in Ratnapura and experts are saying it could be worth US$100 million. The rare specimen weighs approximately 510 kilograms or 2.5 million carats and has been dubbed “Serendipity Sapphire”.
The lucky gent who stumbled upon this cluster told the BBC that one of the workers digging a well alerted him about some rare stones. Gamage, the proud owner of the gemstone, is a third-generation gem trader. The location of Ratnapura, which in Sinhalese means “City of Gems”, is widely known to be the gem capital of Sri Lanka.
World’s largest star sapphire cluster found in Sri Lanka backyard https://t.co/uy10MZDhtz
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 27, 2021
Over a year was taken to thoroughly rid the gemstone cluster of mud and other impurities before it could be appraised. Dr Gamini Zoysa, a renowned gemmologist remarked saying, “I have never seen such a large specimen before. This was probably formed around 400 million years ago.”
While the stone awaits certification, experts in the field have reservations about the quality of all the gemstones within the cluster. Some of the fall outs were graded to be high-quality star sapphires, the same cannot be said for the gigantic half-ton cluster — but insiders are hopeful.
Sri Lanka has always been the frontrunner in supplying precious gems and because of the current pandemic, revenue from exporting these gems have plummeted. The new discovery hopes to reignite the interests of private collectors and museums across the world.
The jewellery industry as a whole has suffered weakened sales due to shifting priorities towards essential spendings. The cutback in disposable income caused many brands to report weak growth last year.
However, the unearthing of the third-largest diamond earlier this year and this largest sapphire are paving the way for a change in trajectory for the industry. Consumers are starting to return and this is registered across the half-year financial reports by various luxury groups like Kering and LVMH. Both have exceeded expectations with Kering declaring a growth of 54.1 per cent when compared to the same period last year and 8.4 per cent in 2019; while LVMH grew 53 per cent when compared to 2020 and 11 per cent in 2019.
For more jewellery reads, click here.
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Italian jeweller and watchmaker Bvlgari revealed its Bvlgari Magnifica high jewellery collection to the world via a live broadcast last month, and we got to see the amazing collection in person in Singapore recently. There was a lot more to experience than just the new Bvlgari Magnifica high jewellery collection, but we will turn to some other highlights, primarily in watches, momentarily.
First off, when observers say Bvlgari jewellery is unmistakable and inimitable, this is far from unearned praise. The brand is blessed with an aesthetic code that easily sets it apart, while also staying true to its roots in Italian high culture. One can readily picture Imperial Roman nobility parading a creation such as the Bvlgari Magnifica Imperial Spinel necklace, even though the brand does not trace its history quite that far back.
Certainly, the massive central spinel, at an eye-watering 131.21 carats, is enough to evoke imperial ambitions, whatever the historical setting. Bvlgari could very well have been the jeweller of the Roman imperial dynasties, the Achaemaenids of Persia and the Mughals of India. What makes the Imperial Spinel necklace a Bvlgari, through-and-through is the way volume enters the picture, including in the surrounding diamonds and emeralds. Having seen it up close — closer than your screen is to you now — we can confirm that the thickness of the spinel is perhaps three-quarters its height, to put it in vernacular terms. While this is an especially notable piece, all the high jewellery pieces share the same codes.
The Mediterranean Queen necklace showcases this, not only in its five outstanding Paraiba-type tourmalines, but in every millimetre of its delicate construction. We are informed that it took 2,400 hours in total to create this shimmering masterpiece, which is further distinguished by emerald beads and diamonds, just like the Imperial Spinel piece.
For those who care about such things, Bvlgari confirms that these tourmalines are of the Mozambique variety rather than the Paraiba ones from Brazil. Moving to a deeper shade of green that also has African roots, the Emerald Ellipse necklace creates a dazzling stage of emeralds and diamonds for its 62.04 pear-shaped Zambian emerald centrepiece to shine.
There are matching watches for some of the necklaces, all of which exhibit the same baroque spirit. For our part, we want to pay special tribute here to the watches that accompanied the Magnifica pieces, the Octo Roma Naturalia. Each of these three watches feature very special case middle structures, ranging from onyx to lapis lazuli. Staying green for this article, the lapis lazuli piece conveys all that is special about this series; dial-side here, the green elements are all in lapis lazuli.
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