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JEWELRY NEWS
March 25, 2016
Harry Winston: The Brilliance of Impeccable Diamonds
Harry Winston
The Brilliance of Impeccable Diamonds
Series | Part 1: Harry Winston (1)
Renowned as the “King of Diamonds,” Harry Winston is a world-leading high jeweler that women aspire to. The pure, clear sparkle of diamonds brings glamour and excitement to every scene of life, enveloping the wearer in happiness.
Text by MINAKO NOGUCHI
The History of Harry Winston, Who Revolutionized Jewelry Design
Harry Winston began its illustrious history in New York in 1932. Founder Harry Winston loved diamonds his entire life, elevating their dazzling brilliance to an art form and revolutionizing the world of jewelry design.
Raised as the son of a small jewelry store owner, Harry Winston possessed an aesthetic sensibility and sharp insight to judge the quality and potential of gemstones from a young age. There is a childhood episode that symbolizes him.
At the age of 12, Harry was captivated by a green stone on a pawn shop tray and purchased it for 25 cents. Upon returning home and showing it to his father, they discovered it was a genuine emerald, which was then sold for $800 two days later. A natural gem prodigy, he pursued his passion for precious stones, finishing his studies at 15 and beginning to work at his father's jewelry store in Los Angeles. In 1920, he established Premier Diamond Company, the precursor to the current brand, in New York.
Harry focused on gemstones from the estates of wealthy individuals, recutting them to enhance their brilliance and resetting them in contemporary styles.
His modern designs caught the eye of celebrities and the media, and he began to establish his position as a leader in the high jewelry world.
In 1932, Harry closed Premier Diamond Company and established his own eponymous brand, Harry Winston, responsible for design, production, and sales. It is said that one-third of historically valuable and famous gemstones passed through Harry's hands, most notably the 45.52-carat "Hope Diamond."
The blue diamond, known as the "French Blue," had been owned by the French royal family since 1668 and passed down through generations. It carried numerous mystical legends, and its story enhanced the gem's allure. Harry acquired this diamond in 1949 and later donated the "Hope Diamond" to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as a gift to the American people. Since then, it has continued to inspire over 7 million visitors annually.
In 1960, the salon relocated to Fifth Avenue in New York. The current Harry Winston New York flagship store stands at this location, housing the design studio and numerous archives.
Harry Winston passed away in New York City in 1978, but his wish to "share the passion for diamonds with people around the world" lives on.
Page02.Iconic Styles Full of Glamour
Harry Winston
The Brilliance of Impeccable Diamonds
Series | Part 1: Harry Winston (2)
Iconic Styles Full of Glamour
Harry Winston spared no effort to maximize the elegant beauty of diamonds. The designs that embody this passion are known as the "Winston Style."
One Christmas evening, Harry noticed a Christmas wreath on his doorstep and was inspired by the way its curves were formed by the holly leaves themselves. This led him to conceive of the beauty of creating jewelry solely from gemstones, resulting in the "Cluster Setting" technique, which uses delicate platinum wires to connect the stones.
By setting diamonds of different cuts onto a light, soft platinum base to maximize their brilliance, a sense of three-dimensionality is created. When worn, the jewelry appears to float on the skin, exuding a breathtaking beauty.
This elegant style, which makes it seem as if the jewelry is crafted solely from gemstones, has undeniably had a profound impact on jewelry design today.
The "Cluster Collection," emblematic of the jeweler, features pieces like the supremely luxurious "Wreath Necklace" and "Cluster Earrings." Their pure, clear sparkle captivates women's hearts.
Wreath NecklaceMaterials: Platinum x Diamonds (approx. 47 ct)
Price: ¥52,400,000
Cluster EarringsMaterials: Platinum x Diamonds (total approx. 2.65 ct~)
Price: ¥3,730,000~
Masterpieces That Enchant with Classical Beauty
One of its signature pieces, the "Classic Ring," is an engagement ring that celebrates life's most blissful moments. Among them, the noble brilliance of the emerald-cut diamond continues to captivate brides. Flanked by tapered baguette diamonds, it exudes an exquisite elegance.
Harry Winston's deep affection for diamonds is also evident in the meticulous craftsmanship of the rings. The split-prong setting, a hallmark of the brand, secures the diamonds delicately yet firmly, integrating beautifully into the ring's design while enhancing the three-dimensionality of the center stone. Its unparalleled brilliance will undoubtedly illuminate the future of the couple who have pledged their love.
Emerald Cut Classic Ring
Materials: Platinum x Diamonds
(Center Diamond 1.0 ct range~)
Price: ¥2,650,000~
An Exquisite Radiance That Embodies Ultimate Elegance
For those who wish to fully appreciate the pure brilliance of diamonds, a simple pendant is the perfect choice. The dramatic sparkle adorning the décolletage is a luxurious masterpiece befitting a woman who understands true value.
The "Round Solitaire Pendant," featuring the special beauty of a round diamond, lends a noble charm to the wearer. The "Pear-Shape Micro-Pavé Pendant," perfect for a coquettish woman, offers an unparalleled gorgeousness through the harmonious play of light between the center stone and the surrounding micro-pavé. The "Belle by Harry Winston Pendant," with its vintage esprit, features delicate and intricate pavé diamonds framing the center diamond, enhancing its brilliance.
(From left)Round Solitaire Pendant
Materials: Platinum x Diamonds (Center Stone 0.5 ct range~)
Price: Centered around ¥1,200,000
Pear-Shape Micro-Pavé Pendant
Materials: Platinum x Diamonds (Center Stone 0.5 ct range~)
Price: Centered around ¥2,200,000
Belle by Harry Winston Pendant
Materials: Platinum x Diamonds (Center Stone 0.5 ct range~)
Price: Centered around ¥1,800,000
Page03.The Jeweler to the Stars, Adored by Celebrities
Harry Winston
The Brilliance of Impeccable Diamonds
Series | Part 1: Harry Winston (3)
The Jeweler to the Stars, Adored by Celebrities
In 1944, Harry Winston lent diamond jewelry to actress Jennifer Jones upon her Academy Award win for Best Actress. Since then, the brand has continued to adorn Hollywood with its exceptional brilliance, earning the moniker "The Jeweler to the Stars."
Actresses gracing the red carpet with their presence, adorned in noble jewelry, include Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry, as well as contemporary stars like Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Jessica Chastain. It was even whispered that wearing Harry Winston diamonds on the red carpet was a shortcut to becoming an Oscar winner. The jewelry, promising future status, is indeed a shining presence for stars.
Stars Shine at Gala Events Adorned in Diamonds
In January 2015, Harry Winston entered into a partnership with amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research), the largest ever by a single corporation, becoming the main sponsor for 27 gala events worldwide over the next three years. At a recent gala in Los Angeles, actresses Diane Kruger, Lea Michele, and Gwyneth Paltrow, along with singer Lady Gaga, captivated the audience with their beauty enhanced by Harry Winston jewelry.
The "Cluster Drop Earrings" exude a luxurious allure on Diane Kruger's ears.
The sparkle of the "Secret Combination Earrings" and "Drapri Bracelet" enhances Lea Michele's beauty.
The "Cluster Earrings" and "Queen Diamond Necklace" reflect Lady Gaga's unique personality in their brilliance.
©Photo by Stefanie Keenan／Getty Images for Harry Winston
Contact
Harry Winston Customer Information Desk
0120-346-376
www.harrywinston.com