Sparkling with prosperity

Is the diamond still a girl's best friend in these days when money is tight and many have doubts that we are emerging from the global recession? Well, yes, it would seem the sparkler still is, at least for some deep-pocketed fashionistas. Two top jewellers last week recently celebrated the upcoming Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year with multi-million baht gem-encrusted fashion shows at the city's high-end shopping complexes.

With more than 30 years of experience to its credit, Blue River boutique re-opened its newly renovated flagship boutique and launched a brad campaign focusing on the marriage of Asian craftsmanship with contemporary design, at the fabulous "When Dream Comes Blue" party last Wednesday at Siam Paragon's M Floor.

The new campaign reflects the contemporary Asian-style interior of the store, which was designed by celeb architect Duangrit Bunnag.

"We selected an Asian theme for the interior and used golden teakwood to create a modern and luxurious feel throughout," says Blue River's marketing and sales director Nitchaya Thamavaranukup.

But while the boutique is stunning, it's the display counter shaped like a leelawadee (frangipani) flower and filled with stunning diamonds that attracts the eye of the jewellery lover. Recessed and beautifully lit wall shelves also showcase sparklers that take the breath away.

"The lighting is custom-designed to give the space an art gallery-like feel. We're using focused lighting, which is gentle and perfect for watching diamonds," says Duangrit.

Five new collections named LHC (Love, Honour & Cherish), Spirit Blossoms, Signature Classics, Mosaic and Orior were revealed during the show, each embodying a unique interpretation of the timeless themes of eternal love.

The next day, CentralWorld launched its "Precious World of Jewellery Fair 2010", a showcase of jewellery valued at more than Bt500 million to celebrate both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day in sparkling style.

Forty-seven jewellers showed their latest collections, which included gem-studded gold and silver longevity peach trees (siew tho) by NGG and a 1.68-kg diamond-studded Happy Golden Apple by The Calinan.

The longevity peach tree is a heavenly fruit representing long life according to traditional Chinese beliefs. The trees at the fair feature detachable fruits that can be worn as pendants, and are encrusted with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, yellow topaz, garnets, blue sapphires, pearls, zircons and cat's eye, gems believed to have powers to ward off danger, bring success and prosperity and cure disease. The gold and silver longevity peach trees are 39-centimetres tall, weigh 10 kilograms each and are worth more than Bt1.38 million.

The Happy Golden Apple, worth Bt5 million, also represents good things for the New Year. Apples are a staple of traditional Chinese New Year offerings thanks to their name, ping guo, which means peace, security and happiness. The Calinan's special creation features leaves encrusted with more than five carats of hearts and arrows diamonds, regarded as the most perfectly cut diamonds in the world and considered a symbol of luck by Asians and the proof of love by Europeans and Americans. This one-of-a-kind piece perfectly embodies both Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day.