By Kristen Shirley
This story originally appeared in the May/June 2017 issue of Elite Traveler.
Feathers are very much in fashion this fall, so get a head start on your shopping with a whimsical feathered jewel, which is sure to last longer than the real thing. At Harry Winston, jewelry and horology find the perfect balance in this stunning timepiece. It can be worn as a watch or as a pendant. The peacock feather marquetry dial showcases the work of its highly skilled artisans, and fanning from this are marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds with 14 feathers. Plumes have been an icon at Boucheron since 1883, revisited time and time again in new ways. This high jewelry bracelet wraps a diamond feather around the wearer’s wrist, topped off by a 1.30-carat oval diamond. Birds have long been a source of fascination for Sutra’s designer Arpita Navlakha as well. She even developed a signature flexible gold that keeps the lightness and fluidity of feathers, even in metal. Inspired by grand pheasants, who were prized by ancient Chinese emperors, Gilan’s earrings use sapphires and tsavorites to depict the movement of their feathers. At Carnet, a beautiful brooch from the Precious Plume collection uses a riot of colors in precious stones to create a lifelike feather.
Gilan Grand Pheasants earrings in 18K white gold with 13.40 carats sapphires, 1.54 carats tsavorites, .88 carats diamonds, $64,500, contact Serkan Doganer, US regional director, +1 646 244 9506, gilan.com
Boucheron Plume de Paon bracelet in 18K white gold with 15.90 carats diamonds, price on request, available at Boucheron in London, +44 207 514 9170, boucheron.com
Harry Winston, Ultimate Adornment timepiece in platinum and 18K white gold with 62.35 carats diamonds and detachable duck and peacock feather brooch, price on request, available at Harry Winston in New York, +1 212 399 1000, harrywinston.com
Sutra Feather bracelet in 18K white gold with 11 carats diamond, $30,000, available at Neiman Marcus at NorthPark in Dallas, contact Sara Faherty, sara-faherty@neimanmarcus.com, +1 214 891 1250, sutrajewels.com
Carnet Precious Plume brooch in platinum and titanium with white and yellow diamonds, rubies and amethysts, price on request, available at Carnet in Hong Kong, contact May Yick, store manager, shop@carnetjewellery.com, +852 280 501 13, carnetjewellery.com