Biennale Des Antiquaires Paris 2012

 

The Biennale des Antiquaires is the grande dame of jewelry/antique shows currently being held at the Grand Palais in Paris.  The show is staged by Karl Lagerfeld and if Chanel runway shows are any indication of the dreamy opulence that Mr. Lagerfeld is capable of, the Biennale des Antiquaires will be an exercise in over-the-top fantasy.  The biggest names of haute jewelry will all be showing, Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Chanel, Chaumet, Dior, Harry Winston, Piaget, Van Cleef & Arpels and newcomer, Wallace Chan from Hong Kong.  Here are some of the pieces on show:

Dior Joaillerie, Dentelle Opale d’Orient bracelet, in platinum, yellow gold, diamonds, Australian black opals, spessartites, garnets, tsavorites, rubies, spinelles and tanzanites.

Boucheron, Serpent Opalescent necklace, in diamonds, opals and quartz.

Wallace Chan, A Drop Into The Ocean necklace features diamonds, sapphires and a 379.21 carat  aquamarine.

Chanel Joaillerie, Constellation du Lion necklace, in 18 carat white and yellow gold, with 159 baguette-cut diamonds, 878 brilliant-cut diamonds, 32 yellow diamonds, and quartz.

 

 

Cartier, Pink Kunzite and diamond watch.

Van Cleef & Arpels, Lierre white gold, diamond, black spinelle and platinum necklace, set with 52 emeralds (93.12 carats).

Piaget, Magnificent Adornments necklace in 18 carat white gold,18 rubellites, 370 brilliant-cut diamonds, and nine pear-cut diamond.

Harry Winston, Wave necklace with 534 brilliant-cut diamonds and a single 60.14 carat pear-cut diamond, in a platinum setting.

Chaumet, Aigrette white gold diadem, with a white Ethiopian 40-carat opal cabochon, 250 diamonds, 34 blue tourmalines and 22 violet tanzanites.

Bulgari, white gold necklace with three emeralds, 12 brilliant-cut diamonds and trapezoid diamonds.

Photos courtesy of Vogue Paris.  All jewelry will be on show at the Biennale Des Antiquaires until the 23rd of September 2012, tickets can be purchased here.

Big Kiss and Bigger Diamonds,

JZP