The Asian fine jewellery market, is one that has seen exponential growth over the years, despite the economic turmoil. Hong Kong-based Wallace Chan is renowned for his rare gemstone designs, which start from $150,000 whereas Taiwan based Cindy Chao works with high-end clients personally, travelling across the globe for custom designs. The uniqueness lies not just in their business model, but also their art. Each Asian artist, brings their own unique technique, texture and tale to life with their designs. We look at three such artists, who create jeweled masterpieces that are too pretty to wear.
Cindy Chao
Taiwanese jewellery artist Cindy Chao, is known for her Art Jewel, which quite literally sits with world renowned artwork in museums. Making waves at prestigious auctions and exhibitions at the Tokyo Mori Art Museum and Masterpiece London, Cindy Chao is one of the first contemporary jewellery designers to receive the honor of having one of her hero pieces, the iconic butterfly, inducted into the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Her collections are strictly limited editions of fine jewellery, featuring the highest quality diamonds and precious stones, presented in handmade black grand piano-finished wooden boxed that have been tailor made for the unique jewellery within. The meticulous creation process can take up to two years, with production limited to just 36 per annum.
Find out more on www.cindychao.com
Wallace Chan
The Hong Kong based designer has been in the news lately for his retrospective that is on sale at the Christie’s Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels auction in November 2017. A special section titled, “Wallace Chan: The Beginning of a Genius,” will feature 27 of Chan’s jewels from the late 20th Century, which the auction house says is his “most innovative period of self-discovery.” The 61-year-old artist is no stranger to the adjective, as his unique sensibilities as an artist, with a career spanning across four decades, he has created a legacy of traditional Chinese icons, elements of nature and sculptural flair. His experimentation in texture and technique is often labelled poetic.
Find out more on wallace-chan.com
Carnet by Michelle Ong
After its launch in 1985 by Hong Kong native Michelle Ong, the Carnet brand, has created a niche in the fine jewellery market for its powerful statements. The designer and philanthropist individually sketches and allocates gemstones to each of her creations in her atelier, which could take years to reach completion. Taking inspiration from nature and its many wonders, the designer’s work has been one of the most sought-after in the region, with connoisseurs seeking her designs at exclusive retrospects and auctions.
For more information visit carnetjewellery.com
