Quality Jewelry Brands You May Not Have Heard Of
A well-designed piece of jewelry does not age, depreciate, nor go unnoticed. When we think of jewelry design, we think about the opulence of Chanel, the inventiveness of Hermes and the cut of Cartier. These are labels we swear our allegiance to because they are innovative, precise and flawless.
All too often we forget that there are other luxury jewelry companies in existence, too. We readily believe that no other jewelry firm could compare to our much-beloved Omega and Tiffany & Co. jewelers. But in truth, there are others who have risen to the meet the remarkable, bold and glamorous creations of these well-known companies; fine establishments that have created such paragons of refinement and quality that it is some wonder as to why they are not a more readily recognized part of the jewelry design canon. Take a glimpse at the the jewelry design pillars below, where little of their shape and form will be left to the imagination.
The Classic Panerai Timepiece
Established in 1860, Panerai company founder Giovanni Panerai opened his shop doors on the golden-hued city streets of Florence, Italy. Operating as the city’s first watchmaking school, Panerai’s focus was to educate an original and imaginative group of watchmakers who had the skills and foresight to design functional, distinctive timepieces that would serve their wearers with honor and integrity. Equipping the Royal Italian Navy with instruments made in his workshop, Panerai created Radiomir, a substance made up of radium-based concentrate that illuminated military tools in the dark and under water.
With the invention of the radium paste, in 1936 the company came out with its first Radiomir timepiece. Designed for the Frogman Commandos of the First Submarine Group Command of the Royal Italian Navy, the Radiomir featured a large, cushion-shaped steel case with incandescent dials. Its water resistant adjustable band and hand-wound mechanical movement proved to be a significant development for the watchmaker, marking the company’s transition from workshop to design firm. With its mélange of Swiss innovation and Italian design, the meeting of steel and leather in the design of the Radiomir is perfect for the toughened adventurer and experienced seaman.
The Simple Exquisiteness of Bulgari
Identified by its immaculate detail and striking beauty is Italy’s Bulgari. Begun in 1884 by the Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, Bulgari set out to design and sell jewelry that captured Roman history and celebrated the linearity, classicism and vibrancy of his Greek and Roman ancestry. Inspired by the architectural prowess of Rome, Bulgari was deeply vested in creating fine pieces of jewelry representative of the brilliance, magnitude and spirit of Rome. In the glorification of his ancient Roman past, branding the company with the ancient Latin “v,” “Bvlgari” quickly became one of Italy’s most recognized jewelry companies.
Distinguished by its iconic diamond cuts and artisanal craftsmanship, Bulgari jewelry has become synonymous with style and modernization; a unique attribute when you remember that the company’s aesthetic values are characterized by its penchant for Ancient Roman design. By the mid-20th century, the Bulgari flagship store at its Via dei Condotti address hosted an assembly of writers, artists and actors (including Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol and Audrey Hepburn) to introduce its distinct and classically modernized bravura. Andy Warhol was quoted as saying, “I always visit Bulgari, because it is the most important museum of contemporary art.” Bulgari jewelry isn’t just a setting or chain, it’s an encapsulation of culture and vision.
Harry Winston: A Case Study in American Jewelry Design
Founded by and named after renowned gemologist Harry Winston, the Harry Winston Company has been a leader in distinctive and intricate jewelry design since 1932. Known as the “Jeweler to the Stars,” Winston believed that it was the shape of the gemstone that should direct the designer’s practiced hands when constructing the gem’s setting and not the other way around. Winston recognized that it was the gemstone that jewelry aficionados were after; the gem was the work of art, and the setting its frame.
By the 1940s, Winston and his associates took their creations further. They looked to nature when they spearheaded the cluster technique, in which each single diamond when clustered together would develop the design of the setting, amplifying the radiance of each individual stone. Today, the Harry Winston company continues to explore the cut, color, carat and clarity of their gemstones, offering their customers the best in luminosity and brilliance, be it in a ring, necklace or timepiece.
To be a true trendsetter, set on discovering all the luxury pieces the jewelry world has to offer; define your personal style by choice, not hype.
