
Thirteen statement pieces for the jewellery lover
Because exquisite jewellery is always the right present.
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These thirteen gifts have something for every gem lover on your list — from a once-in-a-lifetime, behind-the-scenes experience at John Hardy’s Balinese atelier to exceptional statement rings, plus a stunning selection of one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces, and more.
## Crown jewel
Price: Starting at US$2,000 ($A2630)
Surrounded by the lush greenery and bamboo forests of Bali’s central highlands, John Hardy’s sprawling jewellery workshop is a sort of utopia for its 700 artisans and employees, where much of the food that is served at the communal lunch table is grown on-site and where endless windows and open-air spaces immerse you in nature, even indoors. That Balinese spirit is imbued in the brand’s jewellery, which is instantly recognisable for its unique textures, surfaces, and flexible forms that feel smooth on the skin. The company maintains its distinct sensibility through traditional skills that include hammering metal surfaces (a technique known in Balinese as palu), hand-weaving gold chains, and hand-carving animals and shapes. The recipient of this gift will have an opportunity to learn these approaches firsthand in the first Ubud edition of John Hardy’s Artisan in Residence Workshop Masterclass, where he or she will work alongside the company’s craftspeople to create his or her own piece of jewellery. The intimate experience will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes workshop tour and lunch with the design team and artists. After gaining a deeper appreciation for the possibilities of the various jewellery-making techniques, the recipient will again meet with the design team to collaborate on a unique piece. From a simple woven bracelet to solid-gold bangles, a gem-encrusted necklace to a statement ring — the possibilities are limitless.
The experience is enhanced by a 2-night stay at the nearby Como Uma Ubud hotel, surrounded by rice paddies and rich cultural sites where visitors can tour centuries-old palaces and temples and shop local markets that celebrate the country’s rich heritage of artisanship.
## Regal rocks
Price: Starting at US$50,000 ($A65,750)
Ring in the New Year with a one-of-kind gem from David Yurman. The New York–based designer — a sculptor by trade before he launched his brand in 1980 — scours stone fairs across the country to find the most vibrant examples for his contemporary jewellery. Some of Yurman’s most extraordinary finds are set into a handful of one-of-a-kind rings, shown here. This year, a few gem lovers can get a distinctly David Yurman statement ring topped with an electric-green Paraíba tourmaline, radiant yellow beryl, lavender spinel, or deep-blue tanzanite. Each design is set in platinum, white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold and starts at US$50,000 ($A65,750).
## Fire and ice
Price: US$11,000 ($A14,500)
Embrace the snowy season with these earrings from Brazilian designer Graziela Kaufman. These Paraiba Obsession earrings contrast more than 21 carats of rare, icy-blue Paraiba tourmaline with deep crimson drops of rubellite Tourmaline.
## Sun and stars
Price: US$23,000 ($A30,250)
Karma El Khalil’s jewellery melds influences from her time spent living in Nigeria, France, and Italy. This radiant 18-karat yellow-gold Starburst necklace links together 13 diamond-studded designs that are a fascinating fusion of a rising sun and a nighttime star. It’s a piece that will shine at every holiday party.
## Rock candy
Price: US$11,500 ($A15,150)
Is it candy or cabochon? One look at the gleaming citrine, amethyst, blue topaz, and smoky quartz gems in this 18-karat-gold Goshwara bracelet, and you just might forget the winter chill. Each jewel’s smooth cabochon cut adds to the design’s delightful decadence.
## Posh petals
Price: From US$10,500 ($A13,800)
Beginning December 1, London-trained master jeweller Glenn Spiro will debut a vibrant new capsule collection of 10 limited-edition Petal rings at Maison Assouline in Piccadilly. The Petal rings are a collaboration between Spiro and Assouline and are crafted from lightweight titanium, 18-karat gold, and a range of colourful gemstones, including diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and amethysts.
## Fiercely fashionable
Price: US$7,525 ($A9900)
Kimberly McDonald is known for her utterly unique, head-turning designs, which range from delicate diamond bracelets to palm-sized pendants fashioned from agate slices. Ferocious and chic, Kimberly McDonald’s one-of-a-kind Claw Ring anchors an unforgettable Mexican fire opal with diamond-dotted black rhodium talons.
## Cool cuff
Price Upon Request
Chunky sweaters, coats, and an overall heavier winter wardrobe calls for equally weighty jewelry. This 18-karat white-gold Jacob & Co. cuff can be slipped over a sweater sleeve. It boasts more than 109 carats of mixed-cut diamonds and sapphires.
## Ring-a-round
Price: US$5,250 ($A6900)
The cocktail ring is an essential holiday accessory, and designer Sarah Hendler’s Ethel rings — named for her stylish grandmother — are elegant and eye-catching. This 18-karat yellow-gold creation is accented with white enamel and can be stacked with other rings for an even bolder look.
## Rocking the blues
Price upon request
Even seasoned Beverly Hills jeweller Martin Katz can get starstruck — or, in this case, gemstruck. “I became infatuated with Paraiba tourmaline in 2002 when I saw my first of this specimen gemstone, which to this day was the best I have ever seen,” recalls Katz, whose classic-meets-modern creations turn heads on red carpets around the globe. “Since then, it has been a favourite stone for me to work with, mostly due to its rarity and that intense Bora Bora water-blue colour that is unlike any other stone.” This pair of earrings contrasts Paraibas with stunning sapphires. “I love the way the lighter electric blue looks next to darker sapphire blue, which is what I wanted to incorporate into these pieces.”
## Dropping names
Price: US$7,980 ($A10,500)
A personalised piece of jewellery is worth its weight in gold, a fact design duo Stephanie Wynne Lalin and Jenny Klatt knows well — crafting bespoke jewels for clients is one of their most in-demand skills. But, if a fully unique piece isn’t doable, this 18-karat yellow-gold Jemma Wynne Toujours bracelet with diamonds is chic — just request a quick engraving to make it a custom work of wearable art.
## Modern memento
Price: US$11,495 ($A15,100)
Lockets are enjoying a refreshing reboot, and this 14-karat-gold Forget-Me-Not design by New York–based Jade Trau is a fun take on a jewellery classic. This spherical, handcrafted pendant is dotted with a sleek inverted triangle of white diamonds and can be layered with a choker or a shorter, delicate chain necklace to create an even more contemporary look.
## Star-crossed
Price: US$10,244 ($A13,500)
Channel those clear winter skies with these 14-karat white-gold star earrings by New York’s Christopher Designs. This pair is made with just over a carat of special L’Amour Crisscut diamonds, which are cut with 50 light-reflecting, crisscrossing facets that maximise the gem’s shine factor — making them appear larger than their actual size.
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