Finished a week ago—just in time for the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, Mar. 5–9—is a gracefully executed diamond and golden pearl necklace from Jewelmer. The Manila, Philippines-based pearl farmer and design house masters modern interpretations of classic styles with prominently placed golden pearls grown on the brand’s farms, top-of-the-line materials and finishing (courtesy of French-trained bench jewelers), and a signature element: movement. 

“This necklace is like lingerie,” says Gaelle Branellec, creative director of the 34-year-old firm. “It’s a second skin when you wear it.”

Branellac is the daughter of Jacques Branellec, Jewelmer’s founder, and sister to Jacques Cristophe Branellec, a company director. She oversees the design direction of the brand where gold pearls trump all other precious materials. Her latest piece is part of the Via Rosa collection of rose-inspired motifs, which she describes as “balanced but not necessarily symmetrical,” she says.

This interpretation of the flower is inspired by Monet’s brushstrokes and Givenchy roses. Jewelry components are sculpted in wax and concealed beneath 17.29 cts. t.w. F-color, VS-quality diamonds in 18k yellow gold. The piece retails for $160,000, though Jacques Cristophe suspects it won’t need a passport to travel. “All of our big pieces are sold in the Philippines,” he says.

Necklace in 18k yellow gold with 17.29 cts. t.w. diamonds with four 9–11 mm. golden pearls; $160,000

JCK