Chopard‘s “Big Heart” finds an innovative place in the latest models joining the Haute Joaillerie collection thanks to the development of a new setting process. A pair of earrings and two rings crafted from ethical Fairmined-certified white gold are the first creations embodying this technical and romantic challenge taken up by the Chopard ateliers.
The heart, a timeless source of inspiration
Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, presents a new pair of Creole-style earrings and two diamond-set 18-carat white gold rings. She combines them with one of the most powerful symbols of Chopard – the Big-Hearted Maison – through an innovative setting technique. No longer driving the gems into metal prongs, but instead nestling them into the soft lobes of a heart representing the source of love and life: such is the feat achieved in these resolutely romantic creations. Fastened in place by the sides of a white gold heart thus created, the diamonds are further enhanced by the feather-light touch of gemsetting that enables light to pour through their facets.
It must be said that the heart is a perpetual focus of attention for Chopard. Embedded in the aesthetics of many creations from the family Maison – which sees in it a reflection of its own values, its outline guides the shapes of the Happy Hearts collection. It also lends a unique touch to the Palme d’Or, the international film industry’s most prestigious award, for which Caroline Scheufele designed a heart-shaped base. By interpreting it through a new gemsetting process, the ateliers confirm their unfailing inventiveness and their taste for technical challenges.
Chopard, a contemporary vision of Haute Joaillerie
The Haute Joaillerie department at Chopard is helmed by Caroline Scheufele, who over the years has developed the largest specialist workshops in Switzerland. Today, at the Maison’s Geneva head office, they unite more than 30 craft skills dedicated to celebrating precious stones and boundless creative generosity.
After having made settings vanish by inventing dancing diamonds and the magic setting technique, as well as by using coloured titanium that creates the illusion of floating precious stones thanks to the chameleon-like virtues of this ultra-light metal, the Chopard workshops have achieved the masterstroke of making this setting an ornamental element. For the first time in the history of the Maison, it is no longer considered a technical process, but instead becomes a decorative element in its own right within the jewellery composition.
And because the future of jewellery is directly bound up with responsible sourcing of raw materials, the first three creations graced with this heart setting are, like all Haute Joaillerie from the Chopard workshops, crafted in ethical Fairmined-certified gold. The brilliant-cut diamonds were purchased from suppliers certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
Chopard Haute Joaillerie Collection Technical details
Earrings in ethical Fairmined-certified 18-carat white gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds (13.82cts).
Ref. 848371-1001
Ring in ethical Fairmined-certified 18-carat white gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds (4.86cts).
Ref. 828371-1110
Ring in ethical Fairmined-certified 18-carat white gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds (7.10cts).
Ref. 828372-1110
