#gold-jewellery

#gold-jewellery

The war in the Middle East will have certainly a huge impact for the Swiss exports because it represents 10% of the total Swiss watch exports, so it's quite substantial.

Liberty's Oriental Carpet Department has long been a secret wonder, an Aladdin's cave of over 4,000 handwoven pieces, showcasing the artistry of traditional weaving techniques.

An engagement ring is more than a piece of jewellery, it is a symbol of commitment. Couples are moving away from mass‑produced designs, preferring rings that capture their unique journey.

The new webpage, entitled 'How have objects come to be in the V&A?', points out that for some objects, their journeys have involved known histories of violence, coercion or injustice, while for others there remains uncertainty over exactly how they came to be here.

Craft is often defined as skill in making things by hand, but this interpretation is being challenged by AI. Craft transcends physical interaction; historical figures like Mozart and Beethoven exemplify mastery without traditional methods.

The Polo 79 revival in 2024 caused an absolute frenzy in the horological universe and since then, Piaget has been methodical about building on the Polo lineage.

We are delighted to unite these incredible archaeological finds from across the North for our latest exhibition. From Roman silver discovered along Hadrian's Wall to 9th-century gold found by a Newcastle University student, this is a rare opportunity to see these scattered treasures displayed alongside one another.

"We are seeing true sticker shock," Peter Manka Jr. stated, highlighting the impact of fluctuating gold prices on consumer purchasing decisions in the jewelry market.

Glass demands immediacy. Working at temperatures above 2,000°F leaves little room for overthinking, so the process becomes a kind of live dialogue between material, colour and chance. That same immediacy informs what I'm drawn to as a collector: works that carry a decisive gesture, a tactile presence, and the feeling that they could only exist in one form.

Our role is, first and foremost, to transmit our fascination with a craft and to ignite that same excitement in the designer. This is the foundation of our curatorial approach: creating the right encounter between a designer's universe and that of a workshop.

The exquisite, jewel-encrusted boxes were badly damaged in 2024, after they were among seven treasures stolen from Paris's Musée Cognacq-Jay by a gang of axe-wielding thieves. The perpetrators broke into the temporary exhibition, titled "Luxe de Poche," or "Pocket Luxury," on November 20, making off with goods that were, at the time, reported to be worth more than €1 million.

It's long had a reputation as the city of romance, but now the French capital is supporting a growing number of businesses that will arrange an extravagant marriage proposal in a landmark setting - for a hefty fee, of course. The luxury marriage proposal business is booming in Paris with agencies charging international clients thousands of euros to pop the question in a 'romantic' setting in the City of Love.

Gold extended its advance on Tuesday, trading close to record levels after hitting an all-time high in the previous session. The move reflects strong safe-haven demand amid escalating trade frictions and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. On Monday, Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs on goods from South Korea. The renewed tariff rhetoric has added to concerns over global growth and reinforced demand for safe-haven assets such as gold.

A magnificent leather and golden silk slipper believed to have once been worn, then lost, or given away by King James II, is going on display at Killerton, a mansion in Devon which houses the National Trust's costume collection. He is said to have worn the slippers when visiting Coventry in in 1687, where a grand banquet was held in his honour, and may have given them to one of his hosts.

Fashion and dress in Mesopotamia - clothing, footwear, and accessories - were not only functional but defined one's social status and developed from a simple loincloth in the Ubaid period (circa 6500-4000 BCE) to brightly colored robes and dresses by the time of the Sassanian Empire (224-651). Styles changed, but the essential form and function remained the same. As in any civilization, the upper class and nobility wore more expensive clothes of higher quality.

Lighting is one of the most essential aspects of a home; it's also one of the most overlooked. The right illumination can create ambience, soften harsh edges, and imbue a sense of warmth. However, not all light sources are of the same quality. A custom chandelier, for instance, will always stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. These meticulously made creations can range from minimalist to monumental, bringing scale, ambition, and elegance into the room.

Embroidery is a historic mainstay of traditional clothing in Asia or the Middle East, as well as Western Haute Couture, but it is increasingly present in Paris, Milan or New York on modern men's shirts, bomber jackets or blazers. Designers at Dior, Dolce Gabbana, Kenzo or Gucci have adopted it in recent runway shows, while Louis Vuitton's celebrity rapper-designer Pharell Williams dedicated his entire June collection to India after visiting the country.

These brands specialize in just that: pieces created by hand to your exacting designs and specifications, and never to be replicated. Maybe you're looking for top-of-the-range headphones to match your jet. Or could it be a suit for a pirate-esque get together? Or even an engraved signet ring, depicting a favored holiday destination in full color? For all of the above and more, here's who Elite Traveler recommends.

The fashion industry agrees: 2026 is your main character era. Nearly all of this year's biggest trends encourage maximalism - including bridal style. Though timeless designs have traditionally been the go-tos, many brides-to-be are exploring ostentatious wedding dresses awash in embellishments or constructed with exaggerated silhouettes. The same can be said for engagement rings; while many will continue to opt for classic cuts and settings, there's been more of a shift toward flamboyant, statement-making styles. And Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift may be partly responsible.