"La Parade Azure" 18ct White Gold, Apatite, Aquamarine, Zircon, Diamond & Tahitian Pearl Necklace

FINALIST AT THE 2021-22 JEWELLERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA AWARDS

Crafted 100% by hand over more than 450 hours in a tiny Parisian studio, this is 'La Parade Azure'.

The inspiration for this 18ct White Gold, Apatite, Aquamarine, Zircon, Diamond & Tahitian Pearl necklace came from its centrepiece gemstone – a 34.3ct cushion cut apatite, it's colour reminiscent of a peacock feather or the crystal-clear waters of the French Riviera.

The pendant is set with an additional 6 pear shaped apatites, weighing a total 16.61ct. 

Like the cobblestoned streets of a Parisian laneway, the smaller gemstones of La Parade Azure are set close together in a pavé design. These include various sizes of round brilliant cut aquamarines (1.75mm-3.5mm), blue zircons (1.75mm-3.4mm) and white diamonds (F-G colour, VS-SI clarity, 0.9mm-2.75mm).

Surrounding this pattern and set into the pendant's flexible 'spike' are an additional 18 baguette white diamonds (0.11ct-0.13ct each) and 16 tapered baguette diamonds (approx 0.13ct each). 

Each gemstone has been cut and set by hand into the white gold pendant. It hangs from a strand of 45 Tahitian pearls, individually sourced and graduating in size from 7.4mm to 11.2mm.

The total item weight is 31.4 grams. 

Apatite is a true ‘insiders’ gemstone, largely unknown to the general public but spellbinding in its beauty and highly valued amongst collectors. Derived from the Greek work apatao meaning ‘to deceive’, apatite – ever the chameleon – is often mistaken for other stones, such as peridot, aquamarine, tourmaline or beryl. The stone comes in a wide variety of forms and colours, from transparent, opaque or translucent, to pink, yellow, green, blue or violet.

You can find out more about the Making of La Parade Azure here.