Five jewellery pieces that turned heads at Baselworld 2017

It wasn’t just tourbillons and calibres that captured the attention of participants at Baselworld this year – carats and cuts of various gemstones were also on display. Credited as the world’s biggest watch and jewellery fair, Baselworld undeniably drew in crowds of hard-to-please jewellery connoisseurs looking for striking pieces that could impress.

Faidee

Grabbing headlines this year was a ruby and diamond necklace by Faidee worth over US$35 million. The necklace, named The Grand Phoenix, features 24 rubies worth a total of 59.83ct paired with 100.21ct of diamonds. It took four decades to collect the unheated pigeon-blood Burmese rubies, the rarest and most valued type of rubies in the world.

This is not the first time Faidee has made waves. Its creations have often fetched jaw-dropping auction prices, including the Ratnaraj ruby and diamond ring which was auctioned for US$10.2 million at Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Sale in 2016.

Mikimoto

Welcoming guests to Mikimoto’s booth at Baselworld was a stunning white South Sea cultured pearl necklace starring a 22.7ct black opal as the centrepiece.

Two strands of pearls, the outer measuring 94cm in length, and the inner measuring 46cm, complement the glittering blue and green shades of the opal. Shielding the opal is a cluster of diamonds worth a total of 13.31ct.

Jacob & Co

Jacob & Co proves two is always better than one with its pair of Mystery of Muzo cuffs featuring two large Colombian emeralds. The 74.33ct and 70.57ct vivid green pear-shaped emeralds are set on spinel and complemented by a total of 118.13c of round, brilliant-cut diamonds.