Chaumet launches three new high jewellery pieces

From the Hortensia collection. Courtesy of Chaumet

French jewellery brand Chaumet has added three new high jewellery pieces to its Hortensia collection, a compliation heavily inspired by one of the brand's signature themes, naturalism. The new designs, a brooch, pendant and a pair of earrings, feature a hydrangea motif, are set in pink gold, and use brilliant-cut diamonds, Angel-skin pink opals, and round-cut pink sapphires to create a floral arrangement.

The launch of the new Hortensia pieces comes after the brand's recent unveiling of its second jewellery exhibition, Une Éducation Sentimentale. The showcase, on display until September 24, is an ode to friendship and romance, and is housed at the brand's permanent museum, Musée Ephémère, located on Place Vendôme in Paris.

On display are images – both drawings and photographs – of the brand’s noteworthy clients, accompanied by their loved ones. A drawing of Empress Josephine with her husband Emperor Napoleon I is displayed beside a black and white photo of Irina of Russia, niece to Tsar Nicholas II, with her husband Felix Yusupov. Antique pieces designed by the brand for occasions such as engagements, birthdays and anniversaries are also presented. And though the tiaras — of which there are several — are immensely beautiful, it is the pair of platinum, diamond, sapphire and enamel wing brooches, worn by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, that are the most notable.

To accompany the exhibition, Chaumet created a limited edition collection titled Escapade de Chaumet, which comprises a gold ring and bracelet, both with brilliant-cut diamonds and a ribbon pattern. When asked why the brand decided to deviate from its trademark design, Jean-Marc Mansvelt, the brand's CEO, told The National: "[The ribbon pattern] is linked to love and is something that is a little bit lighter. We wanted to create something a bit more contemporary, something that we hadn't already created in the past."

While there are plans for a third museum exhibition later this year, the brand is readying itself to launch a sizeable collection at the Biennale des Antiquaires in September. Visitors to the event, set to take place at the Grand Palais in Paris, can expect approximately 60 pieces from Chaumet to be displayed, with historical and high jewellery designs included.

“What’s going to be interesting is, in the middle of our collection, we’re going to display some of the most beautiful pieces from the patrimony, to show how Chaumet is about continuity. We have been around for more than 200 years and we are going to be here for the next 200 years. It’s not just about the beautiful jewellery. It’s an investment.”