Sandra‘s Closet

This year has taught us to keep it super simple. My dear Carolina Bucci has taken this message further and created K.I.S.S., a collection inspired by a fascination with the inner workings of a watch. In 2016, she launched with Audemars Piguet the famous Royal Oak Frosted Gold. Its shimmering sparkle reminiscent of diamond dust, that I love so much, comes from a surface treatment process rooted in an ancient gold hammering technique, also called the Florentine technique, which is an iconic style element used by Carolina Bucci for her eponymous jewelry line.

In 2018, when she was working with the master watchmakers at Audemars Piguet to finalize the designs for her limited edition Royal Oak, she began to ask herself a hypothetical question: What would these craftsmen and craftswomen create if they were let loose in the world of fine jewelry?

There is a word often used in high-end watchmaking to describe the technical aspects and achievements of the craft: complication. Whereas the word carries a negative meaning in most other areas of life, for the watchmaker, it is something to be pursued and acclaimed. This inspired the K.I.S.S. collection, specifically the balance spring, which is also called the heart of the watch. At Carolina Bucci, gold does things it shouldn’t do. So in this case, gold is elastic. Each bracelet and necklace is at its simplest, one single coil of 18k gold, just like a spring. Its minimalism means you can stack it with a timepiece or other jewelry.

Much as one tells the time on one’s watch, without thinking too much about it, these pieces are designed to be the opposite of complicated… to keep it super simple.

TO SHOP THE CAROLINA BUCCI K.I.S.S. COLLECTION, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Carolina Bucci
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She has surfed the waves, flown in a Monogram hot-air balloon and been transformed into a soft, cuddly toy. Now, Vivienne, the iconic Louis Vuitton mascot, makes her entry into the world of jewellery. Vivienne is unlike anyone else. Having blissfully become part of the Louis Vuitton family, this charming character, originally conceived as a decorative object, adapts to any situation and every whim. Risen to the ranks of an emblematic mascot, she exudes fun and vivacity through all the crafts of the House, while keeping her unique zest for life, cheekiness and offbeat personality.

Launched in 2019: Maison Vivienne, the cutest and most stylish doll house ever

For the first time, her adventures take her into the marvellous world of jewellery. Just as amusing and uninhibited as ever, her preciousness is elevated with every new pendant.
Through high artisanal craftmanship, new objects of desire are born by combining coloured jewels with a variety of precious materials. Drawing inspiration from the two Monogram flowers – respectively round and pointed –, Vivienne stands upright on her legs with her diamond eyes wide open, while her Louis Vuitton-engraved arms remain movable, free to nonchalantly swing from side to side.

Available in two sizes and in different styles, Vivienne adds a significant chapter to her story – her family has grown. Small pendants come in a choice of the three golds, or in a gold and diamond variation with red or black lacquer. While a bigger, medium version – available in the three golds or half-paved – can also be used as a brooch.

• Pendant Vivienne, small, yellow, pink and white gold, diamonds
• Pendant Vivienne, small, yellow, pink and white gold, black lacquer and diamonds
• Pendant Vivienne, small, yellow, pink and white gold, red lacquer and diamonds
• Pendant Vivienne, medium, yellow, pink and white gold, diamonds
• Pendant Vivienne, medium, yellow, pink and white gold, and diamond paved

I love those pendants, totally on my wish list!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton

This week, Cartier presented its new jewellery signature line «Clash de Cartier» in Paris. English-Brazilian actress Kaya Scodelario is the face and captures the duality of this collection perfectly. She will next appear in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, a film about serial killer Ted Bundy, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released internationally on May 3rd.

The new collection shakes up the Maison’s aesthetic heritage of studs, beads and clous carrés. Together, they form a singular, ribbed mesh deriving from a clash of attitudes.

Jewellery that’s sharp? Yes, but soft to the touch. Geometric? Yes, but generously sized and feminine. Mechanical? Yes, as all of the pieces are assembled yet free to move. At its essence is opposition: bright, feminine curves and soft contours are contrasted with the nervous tension of a taut structure.

Clash de Cartier possesses an innate sense of proportion that draws on pure Cartier style. In volumes and reliefs, circles and squares, the collection honours the Maison’s penchant for geometry which dates back to the 1930s.

A classic style? No! It’s neo-classical, singular, unisex, whimsical. Bright, flowing, pulsating, Clash de Cartier breaks up the conventional architecture of shapes. The studs are held in place but free to move. This subtle motion entices light to flit and flicker; the metal seems softer. Crafted in 4N pink gold, the rings can be stacked and layered in all versions.

Behind the clean lines and even spacing, Clash de Cartier is a highly complex feat of craftsmanship.
How are the studs interconnected yet mobile? The ingenious articulated mechanism was entirely developed by the jewellery workshops. Each element is mounted and polished. Each step calls for a new technique, just the right tool.

The Clash de Cartier piece is precisely calibrated to magnetise the forces, to hold the studs in place. The buff-top domed clous carrés are finished with a bright polish that is produced over a series of operations. In a final sophisticated touch, the inside of each piece is delicately scalloped for comfortable wear.

In stores now, for more information about the collection and the movie, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Cartier 

“Behind the symbol of travel, we find Christian Dior’s star and the idea of a good luck charm, but also the rose, his favourite flower.” – Victoire de Castellane

From Christian Dior’s garden at Granville to the discovery of faraway lands, with Paris’ 8th arrondissement cropping up along with way, the Rose des Vents collection from Dior Joaillerie, designed by Victoire de Castellane, is a voyage on the four winds through the House’s history. It features Christian Dior’s good-luck star and the rose, his favorite flower.

The new campaign, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, reveals a Dior woman with a natural, timeless beauty wearing the Rose des Vents creations.

This year, the medallion comes in versions with a pavé of diamonds, as well as rose gold and onyx, and has been joined by four pendants and five rings embellished with a little rope of gold that twists around the finger and follows the outline of the jewel. Being reversible, they can be worn either star or stone side out.

I love this fine jewelry collection. It is so much fun to mix and match them… and I really appreciate the craftsmanship behind that you can explore below.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

Every second year, the Biennale des Antiquaires takes place in Paris in the gorgeous halls of the Grand Palais. Whenever I look at its sinuous, cast-iron Art Nouveau balconies and curlicue stairways, I feel like being in another century. Personally speaking, it is one of the most fascinating places in the French capital and I couldn’t imagine a better backdrop for the most important event in the jewelry calendar. I was invited by Piaget as in 2012 (for the previous post, please click here) and was able to discover the house’s amazingly beautiful EXTREMELY PIAGET collection firsthand.

For the 27th edition of the Biennale des Antiquaires, interior designer Jacques Grange paid homage to Versailles and its French gardens with flowerbeds and foliage. The most stunning part was the scented indoor fountain in the center under the gigantic glass dome that master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian had transformed into an olfactory experience.

At the Piaget booth, I indulged in the most stunning High Jewellery pieces you can imagine. This year, Piaget is celebrating its 140th anniversary and to celebrate this occasion, the company seeked inspiration for its EXTREMELY PIAGET collection from its stellar period in its creative history from the 1960s and 70s. The pieces are enhanced by the most precious materials: diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, hard stones and gold.

The collection is also characterized by great freedom of movement and multiple ways of beings worn. Personally speaking, it was the youngest and most modern collection at the Biennale des Antiquaires this year. You could easily imagine to wear it to a black tie gala or with jeans and a white tee like for example this beautiful bracelet with turquoises from Arizona above.

Let me show you my favorite pieces of the 125 that were presented:

Necklace in 18k white gold set with 46 turquoise beads (approx. 301cts), 48 chrysoprase beads (approx. 42cts), 1 emerald-cut cabochon (approx. 23.14cts), per-shaped chrysoprases, pear-shaped turquoises and brilliant-cut diamonds.

Sautoir exceptional High Jewellery watch in platinum set with 195 marquise-cut diamonds (approx. 66.20 cts), 282 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 33.20 cts), 35 cushion-cut diamonds (approx. 16.30 cts) and 16 pear-cut diamonds (approx. 7.60 cts).  Piaget 56P quartz movement.

Necklace in 18K white gold set with 84 blue sapphire beads from Sri Lanka(approx. 127.40 cts), 490 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 41.69 cts) and 1 cushion-cut emerald from Columbia(approx. 19.39 cts).

Sautoir watch fishnet mesh in 18K white gold set with 404 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 31.30 cts).  Piaget 56P quartz movement.

Bracelet in 18K pink gold set with 8 pink opal plates (approx. 23.25 cts), 18 turquoise beads (approx. 5.31 cts) and 220 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.81 cts).

Cuff watch in 18K white gold set with 1’699 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 20.50 cts) (snow-setting). Natural opal dial. Piaget 56P quartz movement.

Ear cuffs in 18K white gold set with 28 marquise-cut diamonds (approx. 11.59 cts) and 20 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 4.48 cts).

Ring with a sapphire (approx. 7 cts) and 10 diamonds in pear cut and 2 marquise diamonds (approx. 7.5 cts together).

I fell not only in love with this piece… The EXTREMELY PIAGET collection marks the continuity of the brand’s presence in the world of High Jewellery. The 1960s and 70s were some of their most innovative years – and the same is true of 2014. Congratulations, Piaget, for this amazing collection!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris last week, I was invited by Louis Vuitton to explore the new Haute Joaillerie collection: ACTE V at their newly opened showroom at Place Vendôme. Old sketch books from the house were also on show as well as the high-finished jewels in diamonds and brilliant stones.

V as in the Roman numeral 5 is the leitmotif in the house’s fifth high jewelry collection. V is also the modern ideogram,the Maison’s signature stylised by Gaston-Louis Vuitton during the Art Deco period, in which he was a major player, chairing the Exhibition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in 1925.

Here are some of the most stunning pieces of the new ACTE V collection, of which each jewel is constructed on the basis of a V:

The Genesis Necklace
The cornerstone of the collection is presenting the V as in the shape of this pixelated gem, a 87.92-carat triangular Australian black opal.
White Gold – 1 Australian Opal: 87,92 cts – 1 Tourmaline: 8,60 cts – 1 Sapphire: 5,07 cts – 2 LV Star Cut Diamonds: 1,04 ct / 1,07 ct – Diamonds

The Genesis Ring
This is another amazing piece of Vuitton’s new High Jewelry collection. The exceptional 20.94-carat blue grey Burmese sapphire was extracted from the Pien Pyit mine in Mogok valley.
White Gold – 1 Burmese sapphire: 20,94 cts – Sapphires: 1,44 ct – Diamonds

Cuff bracelets were the star items of jewelry in the ’20s and for ACTE V, they are crafted with an avante-garde aesthetic transporting the idea of women travelling and breaking free:

The Apotheosis Cuff
White Gold – 1 Tsavorite Grenat: 16,51 cts – Onyx – Diamonds

The Apotheosis Bracelet
White Gold – Diamonds

The Apotheosis Necklace
White Gold – 1 Paraïba Type Tourmaline : 7,93 cts – 1 Emerald: 0,41 ct – Diamonds

The Metamorphosis Necklace
Platinum – 2 Panjshir Emeralds: 5,29 cts / 4,23 cts – Diamonds

Below you can enjoy some exclusive behind the scene photos of the artwork behind such a jewel.

In this collection, Louis Vuitton brings together extraordinary gems discovered after diligent searches the world over. This know-how is crystallised in a ring with a red Tanzanian spinel weighing over 20 carats, boasting a brilliance similar to that of diamonds:

The Metamorphosis Ring
Platinum – 1 Red Spinel: 20,03 cts – Diamonds

With ACTE V, Louis Vuitton pays tribute to outstanding and hard to find stones, their quality criteria and the emotions they arouse. They are the soul of the jewel: at the heart of the piece, they make us dream and indulge in the beauty of their colors.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton and © Sandra Bauknecht

Would you like to have a beautiful, but easy pair of DIY earrings? Or a fun necklace handmade? I have got a fantastic idea for you, enjoy this little tutorial that will be the perfect afternoon entertainment for you and your children. And no jewelry skills are needed to make these beauties.

All you need are some fun pearls, beads, hangers that come with a hole. A great arts and craft set is Pretty Girl by Faber-Castel. Then, look for some hoop earrings (can be found best at H&M) preferably not too thick to be able to string your decorations easily. For the necklace, I recommend an invisible thread.

Customize your fashion jewelry with your favorite colors. Show off how stunning your self-made earrings are with your hair pulled up in a bun or pony tail. My daughter loved this fun project!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Get ready to add more jewelry pieces to your Tiffany & Co. wish list. Trendsetter and fashionista Olivia Palermo couldn’t resist the little turquoise box neither and sports the new Atlas collection already on her wrist.

The new line offers all the power and magnetism that made this celebrated design a fashion icon. Introduced in 1995, the collection is named for the mythic Greek god who holds aloft an enormous globe – an apt symbol for a collection that makes an impact around the world. The Atlas collection explores the raised Roman numerals of its archetype, the Atlas watch that was launched in 1983 and that was granted a rare U.S. patent for its originality.

The latest options continue the evolution of Atlas, with its classical Roman numerals styled in jewelry that is eternally modern, chic and sophisticated.

The clean-cut numerals assert their timeless beauty in the prime asset to own now: an Atlas bangle of spirited versatility. Tiffany circles the numbers in cutouts of 18 karat yellow, pink or white gold, defining style in lean, confident strides. Bordered with sparkling diamonds, this major design statement makes for bold band rings, as well, circled with diamonds or shaped in smooth, polished metal.

Other options that figure prominently include narrow bracelets with fine chains that drape the wrist and a great open medallion in gleaming sterling silver. Altogether the jewelry generates a sensuous play of light that casts a luster over dressing day and night.

Every variation on the theme shines with a chic sophistication that is the essence of Tiffany. Definitively American in its bold simplicity, Atlas embodies the strength of the brand, and of the stylish women who wear it all over the world. A true fashion statement of its own…

The Tiffany Atlas jewelry collection is available now at Tiffany & Co. locations worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

During my visit to the Baselworld 2012, the world watch and jewelry show, I came across some very amazing creations that I would love to share with you.

One that has absolutely overwhelmed me with its beauty is Chopard‘s High Jewelry collection “Precious Temptations”. Jewelry gourmets are in for a treat! Chopard has concocted a banquet of sweet delights, freely combining the most precious stones with more unusual gems to create a scrumptious array of pink sapphires, amethysts, rubellites, tsavorites, tourmalines and opals.

This delicious collection of eye candy appoints one of the biggest S/S 2012 fashion trends – pastel – as the master of ceremonies, inviting the most exquisite colours to its dessert buffet.

Bon appétit!

LoL, Sandra

Necklace in 18ct white gold set with diamonds, a cushion-cut peridot (5.6cts) and a pear-shaped amethyst of 32.7cts – Ref. 819158-1001
Earrings in 18ct white gold set with diamonds, 2 cushion-cut peridots (11.4cts) and 2 pear-shaped amethysts of 38.3cts – Ref. 849158-1001

Earrings in 18ct white gold set with diamonds and composed of 2 briolettes aquamarines (25.4cts) and 2 oval-shaped tanzanites of 13.7cts – Ref. 849151-1001

Ring in 18ct white gold set with diamonds, 2 half-moon shaped diamonds and an emerald-cut tanzanite of 12cts – Ref. 820621-1001

Ring in 18ct white gold set with emeralds, 2 heart-shaped pink sapphires and a heart-shaped emerald of 31.3cts – Ref. 820614-1001

Earrings in 18ct white gold set with emeralds, 4 pear-shaped pink sapphires and 2 heart-shaped emeralds of 21.7cts and 23.7cts – Ref. 840379-1001

Earrings in 18ct rose gold composed of 2 drop shaped amethysts for a total of 63cts, 2 fancy-cut toumalines (14.4cts), 8 torumalines beads (11.2cts), 2 fancy-cut morganites and diamonds – Ref. 849154-1001

Long necklace in 18ct rose gold composed of tourmaline beads (116cts), opals (139cts), amethysts (45cts), morganites (13cts) and diamonds – Ref. 819154-1001

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard and © Sandra Bauknecht

Louis Vuitton is revealing a new interpretation of its famous Monogram flowers. Each motif has its own corresponding colour of gold —rose, yellow or white, brought to life with the sparkle of a diamond. A precious matrix and a fundamental equation at the heart of a jewel, to be worn in infinite ways.

Monogram Idylle offers an invitation to play with bracelets and necklaces to be linked together, stacked up, mixed up or changed around. Individual earrings for a deliberately mismatched look and a triple ring for a collection of contrasts, the lightweight design and purity of the gold combine to give a fun, ultra-feminine collection of talisman jewellery.

I absolutely adore the idea of mixing and matching those beautiful jewelry pieces.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton