Make your presence felt with these stunning jewels from Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, and Van Cleef & Arpels

As Iris Apfel once astutely observed, jewellery is the most transformative thing one can wear. She should know. The fabulous 102-year-old style maven is famed for her signature look, which sees vibrant, oversized beads and acetate chains enveloping her petite frame. Of course, not everyone can pull off the whimsical eccentric look even if they wanted to but it still doesn’t detract from the truth of her words ‒ jewellery has the power to elevate the mundane into the magnificent, even more so when it’s handcrafted from precious gems and metals to last lifetimes.

A perfect-length necklace can turn the simplest black dresses into a statement of elegance. A well-placed brooch transforms a tailored suit into a masterclass of style. A minimalist outfit adorned with nothing but an exquisite cocktail ring exudes chic nonchalance, while a sizeable cuff evokes fierceness and modernity effortlessly. A good impression easily becomes an unforgettable one, especially when the jewel is graced with the hallmarks of perfection: Faultless craftsmanship, timeless design and aesthetic signifiers that are immediately associated with a House.

At Cartier, it’s the House’s emblematic Panthere that takes the spotlight once again. Few animals arguably garner the recognition or desirability as Cartier’s lithe feline, whose graceful body has appeared on brooches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and watches since the early 20th century. Crafted in white gold and sheathed in diamonds, the emerald-eyed beauty always makes a striking statement, no matter its pose.

From the literal to the abstract, the Pluie de Cartier collection presents the perfect counterpoint with diamonds trailing down like the raindrops from which the collection gets its name. A network of the highest quality gems takes the form of intricate lace that drapes across the body’s curves with infinite grace. Showering the body with twinkling lights that seem alive, the designs are a vision of sophistication to transcend eras.

CHANEL

Launched on the 100th anniversary of Chanel’s Nº5 perfume in 2021, the high jewellery collection presented designs inspired by different elements of the world-famed fragrance. From its octagonal-shaped stopper and bottle to the flowers that go into the making of its scent, the collection was an encompassing tribute, right down to the number that Mademoiselle Chanel considered lucky.

Two years later and Chanel has continued introducing fresh designs into the collection, reasserting the range as a pillar of the House’s jewellery universe with each injection. Who would have thought that a number could look this sensuous? Chanel knew what they were doing when they adorned it with precious gems that move with the fluidity of the liquid gold scent.

Then, there’s Chanel’s collection of secret watch cuffs that make an edgy-chic statement in a way that only Chanel can. Comprising a sleek Maison Lesage embroidered silk band, this jewel that tells time bears a diamond-set dial watch beneath its gem-encrusted Byzantine-inspired motif button.

CHOPARD

Bejewelled filigree designs are the quintessence of feminine elegance, allowing jewellers to dream up generous proportions without a sense of weight or heaviness. Chopard does this wonderfully with its Green Carpet collection, which presents creations made to be admired from across the room.

If you’re attracted to the romance and allure of vintage designs, then Van Cleef & Arpels’ Heritage Collection is where you’ll want to start your search for the perfect piece. Encompassing designs that span the 1920s to 1990s, the collection presents an exquisite piece of history wrapped in precious stones and metal. The Trèfles cœurs festonnes necklace from 1961, for example, boasts high textures that draw the eye to its refined form, before darling mobile elements capture the heart with their every move.

Another timeless icon is the brand’s Ludo bracelet, which has remained one of Maison’s most sought-after design since it’s introduction in 1935. Fashioned as a belt for the wrist, the bracelet bears a flexible gold band adorned with faceted stones for a play of light that glimmers and sparkles with every wave of the hand. Then, there’s the Perlee collection with meticulously handcrafted gold beads (and finished to perfection) making them instantaneously recognisable at a glance.

Made to last through decades and to be treasured beyond one’s lifetime, beautiful jewellery are worthy investments that can more than pay off in style and value. So go ahead and take the plunge. You won’t regret it once you see just how many heads you turn with every arrival. Plus, you’ll have future generations singing praises about your impeccable taste and foresight.