THE ODD COUPLE

Two jewellery houses, Chanel and Pomellato, take a new turn, toying with symmetry to create organically opulent pieces

- CARAGH MCKAY

In a bid to spotlight the rare gemstones that give high jewellery pieces their star appeal, the designer’s job can become something of an architectural pursuit. Whether a ring, bracelet or necklace, the intricate gold frameworks in which the weighty stones are set must be designed on varying levels to accommodate their volume, which gives this specialist field of jewellery design the baroque character that sets it far apart from everyday fine gold and silver pieces.