Beyond the glittering gemstones and polished metals of fine jewelry lie fascinating stories that have shaped them into what they are today. Join us on a journey as we unveil the stories behind leading brands that have left an indelible mark on the world of fine jewelry.
Chanel
If there’s one brand that’s associated with quiet luxury and understated opulence, it has to be Chanel. Most people are surprised to learn the humble beginnings of this fashion powerhouse. Born into modest circumstances, Coco Chanel’s journey from poverty to prosperity is nothing short of captivating. Étienne de Balsan, her lover, helped her establish a millinery business which would later on become a global fashion empire.
The Coco Crush is one of the most outstanding collections in Chanel’s illustrious lineup. Paying homage to its visionary founder, this collection boasts a trademark quilted silhouette, a nod to Coco Chanel’s love for all things equestrian. The Chanel Coco Crush ring and the Coco Crush bracelet have also become wardrobe essentials for countless women around the world.
Chopard
The history of Chopard is as captivating as the exquisite watches and jewelry the maison produces. Their story begins in 1860 when Louis-Ulysse Chopard founded the brand in Sonvilier, Switzerland. In the 1960s, the Chopard family parted ways with the company and sold it to German watchmaker Karl Scheufele.
In 1976, Scheufele came up with the Happy Diamond watch, the first-ever men’s watch with free-floating diamonds that can move freely between two sapphire glass. Breaking away from tradition, these diamonds were liberated from the confines of a prong setting.
In the 1990s, Caroline Scheufele had another idea for Chopard’s Happy Diamonds. Instead of having them rotate around the watch dial, she envisioned them dancing above it – which was met with skepticism by her workshop manager: he even made a bet to give her a rose for every watch that Caroline sold with this idea.
Undeterred, Caroline introduced a steel and diamond watch in 1993 with a dial that came alive with seven dancing diamonds. This ingenious design allowed the stones to dance across the dial with every movement of the wrist.
The Happy Sport watch created by Caroline quickly became a sought-after accessory for women, and the workshop manager conceded by offering Caroline Scheufele a rosebush. That rosebush has flourished ever since, serving as a reminder that a watch once deemed unlikely to succeed has become a timeless success for Chopard.
Pomellato
In 1967, Pino Rabolini came up with a mission to revolutionize the world of conservative fine jewelry by coming up with prêt-à-porter pieces. During a time of social and political upheaval, Rabolini was a regular at Bar Jamaica, Milan’s bohemian watering hole for artists and writers.
At the time, he observed that women had a more approachable wardrobe to match their revolutionary philosophies and lifestyles. Rabolini envisioned creating a jewelry house that embraced this subversive spirit. He founded Pomellato with the purpose of crafting jewelry that is easy to wear and seamlessly transitions from day to night.
Fast forward to today, and Pomellato’s mastery of colored stone combinations, distinctive gem cuts, and timeless chains remains unparalleled. Two of the brand’s most popular pieces include the Nudo ring which features a multi-faceted colored stone, and the gold Cuban necklace from the Catene collection, Pomellato’s famous line of timeless chains.
Anita Ko
Anita Ko’s jewelry journey is a celebration of the dynamic energy of Los Angeles. Growing up as a Korean American in LA, Anita Ko draws inspiration from the city’s expansive vistas for her jewelry creations. Her venture into fine jewelry began at a young age when she admired her mother’s extensive jewelry collection, eventually leading her to Los Angeles’ jewelry district, where she experimented with bringing her designs to life.
Following a stint studying art history at New York University, Anita initially explored design through a handbag collection before circling back to her true love—jewelry. The diversity of Anita’s LA experiences is reflected in her designs. Anita Ko’s yellow gold-and-diamond leaf motif ring is a red carpet favorite, while the baguette diamond coil bracelet is also a consistent bestseller.
Mikimoto
The history of Mikimoto is a testament to the resilience and innovation of its founder, Kokichi Mikimoto. Born in 1858 in Toba, Japan, Mikimoto’s dream was to create the world’s first cultured pearls, envisioning a way to cultivate these precious gems instead of relying solely on natural sources.
Attempt after attempt to culture pearls ended in disappointment. However, rather than succumb to setbacks, Mikimoto viewed these challenges as opportunities to refine his methods. Finally, in 1896, after years of dedication and overcoming numerous obstacles, Mikimoto successfully produced the world’s first cultured pearl, forever changing the landscape of the pearl jewelry industry.
This achievement allowed Mikimoto to establish his own jewelry brand in 1899. Mikimoto quickly gained international acclaim and continues to be a symbol of craftsmanship, as showcased by these Black South Sea pearl studs with diamond earrings and this White South Sea pearl and diamond bracelet.
These stories aren’t just about jewelry; they’re also about the bold visionaries and their innovations that became icons. Get to know these pieces – and the story behind them – when you shop at Zadok Jewelers.
