Boucheron celebrates 20 years of the Quatre's radical design that melds 4 of the jeweller’s distinct codes
Born from the maison’s spirit of cutting-edge innovation and avant-garde artistry, the Quatre continues to evolve with new interpretations that reaffirm the iconic collection's timeless significance today.
In partnership with Boucheron
In 2004, Boucheron unveiled the Quatre, a ring that featured an eclectic mix of four codes from its rich archives. With a distinct motif on each band, the gender-neutral creation embodied an unrestrained aesthetic synonymous with the maison. Two decades later, the Quatre's continues to captivate a audience who values both craftsmanship and modern designs. Helene Poulit-Duquesne, CEO of Boucheron, explained its enduring appeal and cult status: “You can’t create an icon. Icons are wrought over time, and they gain that status because they strike a chord with people. An icon isn’t designed to be an icon; it’s the clients who decide.”
THE CODES OF QUATRE
Comprising 13.88g of gold, the Quatre ring is a masterful blend of time-honoured artisanship and innovation, speaking volumes of the maison's commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional jewellery design. More than a piece of jewellery, it is a symbol of empowerment, reflecting values of leadership, inspiration, and strength. And while each of the four codes pays homage to a facet of Boucheron's history, they collectively weave a narrative of its enduring legacy in a single statement piece. The first code is the Double Godron, which is a nod to one of the house’s most cherished inspirations – architecture. First seen in Boucheron’s creations in the 1860s, the architectural design of raised bands is reminiscent of fluting. Beyond its aesthetics, the Double Godron’s melding of two rings is symbolic of an eternal love that binds two beings.
Recalling the cobblestones of Paris, the second motif of the Clou de Paris is a hat tip to the maison’s original address at 26 Place Vendoome, which still stands today. Opened in 1893 by Frederic Boucheron, the designer was also the first of the great contemporary jewellers to establish a boutique at the storied location. First introduced into Boucheron’s design repertoire in 1911, the motif’s numerous facets draw light to the ring to accentuate its radiance.
Representing eternity is the third code – a row of precious diamonds. A stone employed by the house since 1892, it highlights the savoir-faire of the maison’s artisans, who select exceptional gems and meticulously work them into a delicate mirror setting. Completing the Quatre ring is the Grosgrain motif, a ribbed silk fabric often used to make ribbons. Found in Boucheron’s archives since the 1860s, the code’s origin can be traced to the founder’s father, who was a draper. Additionally, this motif is an ode to the couture heritage that helped make a name for Boucheron, which was renowned for creating pieces that were as delicate as the finest fabrics.
Jewellery aficionados will appreciate the Quatre’s laborious construction. Using a combination of technology and traditional jewellery-making techniques, each band is individually fashioned and then put together to form the ring’s iconic look. Without glue or soldering, the four bands are hand-assembled via a press.
THE QUATRE STYLE DEFINED
Designed to be worn singly or as a set – matching or not, as hair ornaments, or even as a fashion accessory – the Quatre is all about expressing your individual style. This quality is what makes it a Boucheron icon – one that transcends boundaries, gender and conventions. While it all began with a ring, the Quatre has been reimagined in various iterations and jewellery styles over the years to reflect the changing times or evolving fashion sensibilities. Since its inception, the collection has expanded to include an array of easy-to-wear pieces, starting with stackable bracelets, followed by sautoir and collar necklaces, earrings as well as ear clips. A piece of hair jewellery was even introduced in 2023.
The Quatre has also unveiled editions that tell stories through colours – from the purity of the White Edition to the intensity of the Black Edition, and onto the monochromatic Radiant Editions, culminating in the pristine beauty of the Double White Edition. Additionally, the collection also features single-code designs like the Grosgrain or Clou de Paris.
INNOVATION, THE BOUCHERON WAY
More than just a piece of jewellery, the Quatre pushes the boundaries of craftsmanship and design. For instance, the gold Clou de Paris band is transformed by Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) on the Classique and Black Editions, enhancing it with an evaporation technique that imbues the surface with a lustrous sheen. Meanwhile, the Blue, Red, White, and Double White Editions utilise Hyceram, a hybrid ceramic and elastomer compound known for its mirror-like finish.
In keeping with Frederic Boucheron's innovative spirit, the maison’s creative director, Claire Choisne, weaves unexpected materials into Boucheron's repertoire every year to challenge the notion of what’s precious. The maison's 2020 collections saw denim transform from utilitarian to lavish, when paired with white gold and diamonds on a Quatre ring and cuff bracelet.
Innovating also means seeking out partners who don’t have anything in common with the world of high jewellery. In 2021, Boucheron joined forces with Saint-Gobain, a French company founded in 1665 that specialises in manufacturing engineered glass components. This unexpected collaboration resulted in a rainbow-hued holographic coating that’s sprayed onto ceramic in dozens of layers to give a finish of shifting colours. The Quatre ring from this collection reflected a spectrum of shimmering hues that changed with the light.
The following year, Choisne incorporated Cofalit into the Quatre. Resembling a shimmery hard stone in its final state, the eco-conscious substance is obtained by upcycling industrial waste through a unique vitrification process. The stark juxtaposition of precious alloys and an upcycled material aligned perfectly with the house’s philosophy of pioneering new and meaningful paths in high jewellery.
Then there’s the Quatre Aluminium, a capsule collection that reveals a commitment to innovative engineering and design beneath the playfulness. Here, the Quatre codes are reinterpreted in resin, as well as featherlight aluminium that is paved with round diamonds.
CELEBRATING THE QUATRE
In another tribute to the Quatre's four emblematic motifs, Boucheron's new designs layer and stack rings as well as bracelets in unexpected ways. Notably, a collar necklace crafted from no less than 50 Quatre rings demonstrates the maison's signature craftsmanship. The collection also introduces a novel bracelet concept. Resembling a spool that can hold 12 interchangeable elements, this piece highlights Boucheron's dedication to versatile elegance. Each design comes in two versions, the Quatre Classique and Quatre Radiant Edition, which allows wearers total freedom in how they style it.
Of course, the 20th anniversary of a Boucheron icon warrants ultra-luxe iterations of a Quatre Classique ring, bracelet and choker. Each piece of jewellery flaunts a spessartite garnet-set Double Godron that is complemented by yellow sapphire-set Grosgrain. This interplay of gems amplifies the radiance of diamonds and provides a striking contrast to the Clou de Paris' brown PVD finish. Assembling these groups of garnets and yellow sapphires was a formidable task as it took the maison’s gemstone department several years to source stones in identical colours.
A NEW CHAPTER
Boucheron is set to introduce a series of boutiques in four cities. The first boutique opened in Paris recently, with subsequent ones planned for Seoul in June, Shanghai in August, and Tokyo in October. Visitors can look forward to an array of immersive experiences, from trying on the latest Quatre incarnations to beauty treatments for hands. To add a playful touch, Boucheron has hidden four golden tickets in nail-art sets sold at the store, with the lucky winners walking away with a Quatre ring each.