The Most Exquisite Jewellery To See At Masterpiece London 2019

Is jewellery an ornament or an art form? The truth is it can be both; and the art of the jewel is demonstrated unequivocally at Masterpiece London, the leading international fair for art and design, which opens next week in the elegant surroundings of The Royal Hospital Chelsea You can view extraordinary pieces created for the elite of a bygone era - as well as have the opportunity to see coloured diamonds and natural pearls that are as rare as a Titian or Van Dyck, whilst tracing developments in design relevant to our contemporary life styles, and new technologies which push the idea of what precious can be Advertisement TiarasA tiara is the highest pitch of the jeweller's art so don't miss the opportunity to see the stately Belle Époque pieces at Bentley & Skinner, the kind that inspired Chao, including one magnificent decorative head piece with natural pearls and old-cut diamonds arranged for a floral effect.

FeathersFeathers are a big fashion motif this season and designer Cindy Chao, born into an artistic family of architects and sculptors, has created an exquisite Royal Feather Brooch in her Black Label Masterpiece series, inspired by drawings of 19th century French women wearing feathered adornments in their hair "Pieces can transcend their function," believes Chao, "With exquisite gemstones, innovative design and extraordinary craftsmanship, thus transforming into great works of art." Also visit the Verdura stand to see Sicilian-born designer Fulco di Verdura's 1940's glamorous take on feather ear clips The earrings created with rubellite, rhodolite, kunzite and pink diamonds reflect even more "Pinkness" from the already flushed pink titanium polished mirror surfaces.

Van Cleef & Arpel's new modern Brume Saphir Rose glows with a supple cascade of pink sapphires from the softest pastel shades to a dark blush and Boghossian's Kissing necklace - with matching earrings - employs intense pink and brilliant white diamonds inlaid in mother of pearl, side by side, to spark pink lights between one another. . Source