A Celebration of Jewelry and the Business Behind the Beauty
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Shawish Adds Light to A Jewel’s Sparkle
Shawish bespoke Octopus bracelet in pink gold, paved with white, brown and yellow round-brilliant diamonds and centered with a pink pearl. This one-of-a-kind bracelet not only sparkles but it emits colorful light from within.
When I first learned of Shawish Genève prior to Baselworld 2014, I wondered why I was not familiar with this company. It produces bespoke and limited edition traditional high jewelry creations. I assumed the company has been around for 100 years or so and should have been on my radar.
It turns out this is a relatively new firm founded in 2008 that enhances old-world high jewelry design and craftsmanship with modern technology, whether it’s in the making of its products or in way the pieces are used. Mohamed Shawesh, co-founder of Shawish, describes it as “a marriage between high jewelry and technology” and “the art of jewelry and innovation.”
The 18k white gold necklace from the Princess Collection features blue sapphires (92.23 ctw.) and diamonds (24.83 ctw.).
Shawesh, whose family of Libyan descent has been in the luxury gem business for generations, reminded me at Baselworld that I had heard about the company when in 2011 it created the first ring made entirely of a faceted diamond (in this case a 150-carat stone). He explained that this was the young company’s attempt to attract international attention and at the same time demonstrate its laser cutting technological capabilities. It worked. The YouTube video of the ring attracted more than 400,000 views.
The Octopus bracelet being worn. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco
Its technological prowess may even be more noticeable with its Octopus bracelet (video above). The bespoke piece paved in diamonds not only sparkles but it emits colorful light from within. Then there’s bejeweled mushroom pendant necklace that contains a USB port that the company is calling the world’s most expensive USB port. All of the creations, even the diamond ring, are designed to be worn and used.
The bejeweled Magic Mushroom in the open and closed position is made in pink gold 11.35 carats of pink sapphires and diamonds. It opens to reveal a USB port that contains Luxury VIP services based on the owner’s lifestyle and interests. Shawish is calling it the world’s most expensive USB port.
The company also produces true traditional pieces that use precious materials, design and craftsmanship to tell stories. This includes the Princess collection, which combines 18k white gold with diamond pave with touches of faceted blue sapphires; its Teddy Bear pendant, which depicts a teddy bear paved with brown, black and white diamonds resting on a diamond pave quarter moon. The bear’s cap is covered in pink sapphires.
The flexible Mermaid Tail ring from the Beauty of the Sea Collection has white diamonds and pink sapphires set in 18k white gold.
There’s also the Moonlight collection, which sparkles in 18k white gold and diamonds; and the different shapes and styles of a Mermaid’s tail in white and pink gold, paved with white diamonds, pink and yellow sapphires, or black diamonds for its Beauty of the Sea collection.
18k white gold Teddy Bear pendant is enhanced with pink sapphires (1.94 ctw.). The total Diamond carat weight is 11.49 ctw., and includes black diamonds, brown diamonds and white diamonds.
