Exclusive interview with Graeme Thompson of Bonhams Asia
mis à jour le 4 May 2019 à 05:47Ahead of the Bonhams auction in Hong Kong, we spoke to their Director of Jewellery for a quick insight into key pieces and how to care for fine jewellery.
The ultimate epitome of luxury would not be a custom-made croc-skin Birkin bag or a private jet completely furnished in Louis Vuitton prints, it would instead be some of the world's most exquisite jewellery pieces - pieces that literally take your breath away and leave you marveling at them while words escape you.
It comes without question that we were positively dazzled and sufficiently awed from images alone but another question that consistently popped into our heads after every look was, 'how do we actually care for diamonds, rubies, emeralds and the like?' After all, we definitely want to keep these treasure pieces in our jewellery drawers for many, many years to come.
To resolve our queries, we spoke to Graeme Thompson, the Director of Jewellery for Bonhams Asia on an easy way to care for fine jewellery and an insight on some of the stunning pieces that will be going under the hammer in Hong Kong.
Bonhams, one of the top three international auction houses in the world will be hosting an auction in Hong Kong from 14 to 27 November 2014.
Marie France Asia: What are some of the current jewellery trends in Asia?
Graeme Thompson: Period and signed period jewellery are very popular as well as coloured diamonds, coloured gemstones and jadeite.
MFA: What are some of the key auction pieces?
Graeme Thompson: Our bi-annual Fine Jewellery and Jadeite sales in May and November offer a wide variety of fine jewellery, signed jewellery, diamonds, coloured diamonds and coloured gemstones. Our forthcoming auction includes:
664: An impressive unheated Burmese ruby and diamond necklace, circa 1960
663: An important Colombian emerald and diamond cluster ring
660: A pair of emerald and diamond earrings, by Van Cleef and Arpels
659: A fancy coloured diamond and diamond ring
658: A pair of unheated Burmese ruby and diamond earrings, by Harry Winston
651: An exceptional jadeite bead necklace
594: A fine pair of jadeite and diamond earrings
548: A pair of jadeite and diamond earrings
MFA: What should consumers look out for when shopping for fine jewellery?
Graeme Thompson: Only buy the best quality and understand the value of what you are buying.
MFA: How should one take care of fine jewellery pieces?
Graeme Thompson: Toothpaste and hot water is the best way to clean diamonds and have your jewellery checked annually. If you wear an emerald ring take it off before you wash your hands with soap.
MFA: What are some of the biggest issues that the jewellery industry faces today?
Graeme Thompson: Transparency and disclosure is always important for the jewellery industry which is why you can rely on action when buying jewellery.
MFA: How can consumers tell the quality of gemstones?
Graeme Thompson: Get to know how to use a 10x loupe, it is very easy. Examining stones and becoming familiar with what to look for is essential. Always buy stones with a certificate if they are unheated.
MFA: What advice would you give to someone looking to collect antique jewellery pieces?
Graeme Thompson: If you are buying antique jewellery (jewellery over 100 years old) make sure you know how to spot a fake or rely on someone who does. There are many reproductions in the market.
Tarandip Kaur
