The Top Jewels and Designers At The 2017 Couture Show

If I could I would spend four days of my time in Las Vegas during jewelry week at The Couture Show. It’s become the best show in terms of the quality of pieces and the most enjoyable in terms of the overall comfortable, informal yet luxurious environment. This year I had two days and it just wasn’t enough time to see all of the quality designers. So this list of 26 jewels is among the best I saw at the show but there were certainly much more to see.

New York-based designer, Coomi, presented an exceptional offering of jewels ranging from traditional high jewelry pieces to a special collection based on an historic piece of architecture to items made with objects from antiquity. In many ways it was typical of what Coomi produces each year at Couture but this year the artistry and creativity was prolific. The items on display included a collection of beautiful, sea-blue paraiba tourmalines set in 20k white gold and paired with diamonds.

An extremely rare and very large natural saltwater pearl from the Melo Melo sea snail. The 23.8 x 23.3 x 23.1 mm, “non-nacreous pearl” is set in an 18k rose gold and diamond pavé bezel enclosure. It is valued at well over $700,000, says the pearl house, Assael, which presented this and other sea treasures at its booth.

The David Webb brand made its first appearance at Couture, featuring new and period pieces that combine materials, colors and themes.

The Atoli (atolls) pendant necklace Antonini. An 18k yellow gold oval with delicate curves surrounds a circle of diamond pavé over rough textured white gold that enhances the sparkle of the diamonds.

Spectacular blue opals and azurite (rarely used in jewelry) mounted on gold and surrounded by assorted gems is the latest collection from the dreamlike world of Lydia Courteille.

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2017, Picchiotti created “L’Anfiteatro,” an 8.05-carat ruby ring inspired by a classic amphitheater.

French designer, Elie Top, unveiled a new collection of elaborate two-sided pieces based on astrology and other celestial imagery called, “Cosmogonie secrete” (Secret Cosmogony).

The House of Garrard brought some of its high jewelry to Couture including this statement diamond and ruby necklace.

Mother of pearl earrings by Goshwara.

The unusual ametrine stone, a mix of amethyst and citrine, used for a pair of earrings by John Hardy.

Designer Lisa Nik introduced her own “kite”-shaped gemstones at Couture.

Paraiba tourmaline and opal cuff by Saboo Fine Jewels.

Sterling silver with the look and feel of swirling twigs enhanced with golden leaves and white diamond tips make up this organic and artistic cuff by Michael Aram

A 22k gold locket with oxidized silver and diamonds by Arman Sarkisyan.

A bracelet featuring an opal owl surrounded with multi-colored gems by Wendy Yue.

Round precious materials inside golden cages is the premise behind Yael Sonia’s geometric inspired perpetual motion collection.

The Plumage three-finger ring by Stephen Webster in 18k white gold, white rhodium plating, marquise shape emeralds 4.58ct and white diamond pavé.

Three fluid 18k yellow gold bands connect and topped with six brilliant round diamonds in the Whirl Ring by Carelle.

White gold star clusters set with white diamonds by Colette.

Fabergé Emotion ring made with multi-colored sapphires, white diamonds, rubies, tsavorites and emeralds, set in 18k yellow gold.

Sterling silver with the look and feel of swirling twigs enhanced with golden leaves and white diamond tips make up this organic and artistic cuff by Michael Arman.

Pearl-centric designer, Mizuki, presented creative ways to match her multi-colored and –shaped pearls with gems and diamonds.

The jewelry brand, Noudar, uses Arabian themes and influences in its jewels, including its popular lace-like gold chokers in several colors.

A three-layer cluster diamond necklace with matching ring by Qayten.

18k gold with white and black diamond pavé with three center diamonds are used for Sara Weinstock’s Veena Shield pendant.

A bracelet in topaz and white gold in a signature design by Selim Mouzannar.

Anita Ko necklace using two rows of diamonds, each row with a different shape.

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Couture Show 2017 Jewelry Preview

2016 Couture Show 

The Couture Show being held at the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Luxury Resort June 2 – 6, specializes in luxury and fashion jewels from independent designers as well as national and international luxury brands. More than 200 exhibitors and 4,000 buyers from top luxury department stores and independent luxury retailers fill the main ballrooms and private spaces throughout the resort. Below is a short preview of some of the jewels that will be on display at the show. 

Gold bamboo and diamond Arbor ring with a 7-carat blue-grey spinel center stone by Aaron Henry

Three stacked rings by Yael Sonia: Solo Rotated 8mm ring in 18k yellow gold and amethyst, Sonia Duo Solo 6mm and 8mm ring in 18k yellow gold with green tourmaline and pink tourmaline, and the Solo Rotated 6mm ring in 18k rose gold with pink tourmaline

David Webb Paisley bracelet with cabochon rubies, emeralds, sapphires, brilliant-cut diamonds set in green and light blue enamel with 18k gold and platinum 

Macan Murni 18k gold ring by John Hardy featuring a Mabe Pearl framed by two jeweled tiger heads with pave-set black and white diamonds and black sapphires

Loren Nicole Etruscan Collar in handcrafted filigree 20k gold with 8mm bezel set stones and satin finish

22k gold and silver rectangle drop earrings with black diamonds by Arman Sarkisyan

18k gold emerald cocktail ring with diamonds by Colette

18k white gold and diamond signet ring by Jemma Wynne 

18k black gold opal butterfly bangle by Wendy Yue with tsavorites, black diamonds, champagne diamonds, and white diamonds 

Black rhodium gold and black diamond bracelet by Noudar

Tanzanite sugarloaf carved 4-prong ring in 18K white gold with diamonds by Goshwara

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Bellusso Jewelers In Las Vegas Is The Only U.S. Store To Carry The $1.2 Million Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie Watch

Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie

There will only be five Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie watches made this year. Two will be shipped in the U.S. One was sold in advance. This leaves Bellusso Jewelers as the only store in the U.S. that will carry this watch, with its estimated price tag of approximately $1.2 million.

Rick Moore, the manager of the luxury watch and jewelry boutique at The Palazzo Las Vegas resort, credits the strong relationship he has with the watch brand for beating out other high-end watch stores for the timepiece. 

“It’s really all about relationships,” he said. “Stephen Forsey (co-founder of the watch brand with Robert Greubel) has made many visits to Bellusso Jewelers and has also attended client dinners.”

Moore says he expects to receive the watch within the next two months. He’s contacted his VIP clients to let them know it’s available. If it isn’t sold prior to arrival he plans to show it in a dedicated display area for Greubel Forsey watches.

Bellusso Jewelers

Greubel Forsey says it is the most complex watch it has ever made—a big statement from a watch brand that specializes in highly complicated watches with multiple tourbillons and inclined balance wheels. Its creations have won some of the most prestigious awards in the watch world. 

Many of the company's ideas are tested in the company’s laboratory based on a proprietary development methodology called “Experimental Watch Technology” (EWT), including the Grande Sonnerie, which is the result of 11 years of research and development. The filing of two patents and the development of an acoustic resonance cage for a pure sound went into the creation of this timepiece with 11 security functions and at least 935 parts. 

It is equipped with a silent striking regulator and a 24-second tourbillon, all housed and well-balanced within a 43.5mm titanium case. It uses a manually wound movement but the striking mechanism has a self-winding system that provides about 20 hours of power reserve in Grande Sonnerie mode. It operates on three modes: Grande Sonnerie (which strikes at the hours and the quarters), Petite Sonnerie (which strikes at the full hours) and a silent mode. The sound is enhanced by an acoustic resonance cage made of titanium. 

The watch was unveiled in January at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). At the time the company said it would produce five to eight pieces per year. A company spokesperson told me more recently that only five will be made this year because of time it takes to produce each piece. 

“One watchmaker is responsible for assembling the piece and one watchmaker is responsible for polishing all of the parts,” the spokesperson said. “One piece takes about a year to produce.”

So you can buy it now or wait till next year. 

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30 Spectacular Jewels From The 2016 Couture Show

The “Amal” necklace by Selim Mouzannar

The Couture Show at the Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort features jewelers (from international brands to individual jewelry artists) who specialize in high design, high fashion and high jewelry. 

Some of the trends of this year’s show included geometric shapes, the use of unusual materials, and more pearl jewels than in past years. Titanium seems to be growing in acceptance. Below are 30 special pieces that represent the breadth of design and materials exhibited at the show. 

The “Amal” necklace (pictured above) made of Columbia emeralds, including rare trapiche emeralds with their pinwheel of black lines, rest on a web of gold by Selim Mouzannar.

18k rose gold earrings with agate and diamonds by Lucifer Vir Honestus.

Colorful earrings from the “Rainbow Warrior Prophecy” collection by Lydia Courteille uses turquoise as the main gem enhanced with colored gems and enamel. The collection takes its inspiration from the legends and myths of Native American tribes. 

The 22k gold and lapis “Peace on Earth” ring by Arman Sarkisyan with diamonds and oxidized sterling silver. 

Diamonds look like shooting stars at the end of a rounded golden tube with this “Whirl” ring by Carelle

Photo by Anthony DeMarco

Chopard brought some of its high jewelry straight from the Cannes Film Festival and it included this large, classic emerald and diamond necklace.

Olympia Necklace in titanium and diamonds by Vhernier.

Hand crafted 18k gold pendant necklace with a large fresh water pearl and cognac diamonds with matching earrings from the Yvel Golden Sunset Collection.

Mike Joseph Waterfall chocker in yellow gold with diamonds.

Italian jewelry brand Qayten, which specializes in akoya pearls, added Tahitian varieties to its contemporary design jewels. The “Tahiti Bliss” necklace uses white gold and diamonds to Accenture the dark shades of the Tahitian pearls.  

18k rose gold ear cuffs set with champagne diamonds and Tahitian pearls from the “Burning Thistle” collection by Colette. 

The “Solena Maya” ring by Messika created with triangular, emerald and pear cut diamonds set in white gold. 

“Lily Jade Cuff” made of 18k gold with green jade, opal, pink sapphires, champagne diamonds, white diamonds and black diamonds by Wendy Yue.

Sterling silver earrings with abalone, crystal, diamond and 20k gold by Coomi.

White pearls, white diamonds and white metal for this large classic necklace by Yoko London.

Enamel red rose and green leaf cling to a yellow gold stem with thorny gems for this choker by Alison Lou.

18k rose gold and round diamond “V Ring” by Anita Ko.

Clean lines based on simple geometric forms are the foundation of the “Siracusa” earrings by Antonini.

Descending Pill” earrings made of polished 18k white gold with pavé white diamonds and blue sapphire baguettes by Deborah Pagani.

“Senso” 18k organic surface ring with pavé diamonds by Ippolita.

18k long drop earrings using colorful gems in an Art Deco motif by Jemma Wynne.

Drop earrings in 22k gold and tourmaline by Margery Hirschey.

Gold rings in gecko shapes covered in green sapphires from the African Queen collection by Mattioli. 

Large baroque pearl on a gold ring with diamond by Mizuki.

"Fly Me To The Moon" Lapis Lazuli Wing Earrings by Noor Fares.

Alexandrite and diamond ring by Omi Privé.

Gold and diamond ring by Sethi Couture.

“Aria” rings with colorful gems and diamonds by Stefan Hafner.

Classic emerald and diamond earrings by Sutra.

“Sonoma Mist Dew Drops” bracelet by Tacori. 

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