5 Larger-Than-Life Pieces By Nirav Modi at Paris’ Biennale Des Antiquaires

Kate Winslet made an appearance at the 88th Academy Awards bejewelled in a ring, bracelet and earrings, all by Nirav Modi. Last year, the Indian designer opened his first overseas stores in New York with guests like Naomi Watts and Coco Rocha gushing over his creations. His latest advertising campaign features actors Lisa Haydon, Rosie-Huntington Whiteley and Romanian model Andreea Diaconu. The last few years have clearly seen the Antwerp-raised diamantaire take Indian designs to the global stage. 

The biggest one yet is his upcoming showcase at Paris’ week-long Biennale des Antiquaires, patronised by influential players in luxury. Capturing the essence of French ‘art de vivre’, the event will host 121 exhibitors from 14 countries under the famous Nave of the Grand Palais in Paris.

While we’ve picked our top 5, Nirav Modi shares with us insider notes on these lust-worthy jewels.

Emerald Maharani Necklace

Inspired by 19th century decadent maharaja necklaces, the piece throws back to classic heirloom jewels that are reminiscent of a vintage, royal India. The necklace combines vivid green emerald beads with over 146 carats of oval and pearl shaped diamonds.

Nirav’s note: There are as many as 29 emeralds in this necklace, ranging from approximately 92 carats to 9.5 carats. It took us over a year to source these exceptional emeralds to ensure that they were uniform in colour and clarity.

Constellation Necklace

Over 50 carats of diamonds have been arranged in a flexible knife’s edge framework to create the illusion of a constellation of diamonds. The ornate necklace is the perfect accessory for a romantic ballroom setting or a fancy private dinner, making it the focal point of the evening.

Nirav’s note: This design took about 2000 man-hours to make so as to give it the appearance of diamonds floating on your skin. It is so fluid that it can be easily rolled up into your palm.

Pear-shaped Revertible Earrings

For those with a penchant for functional jewellery, the designer’s convertible handiwork is ideal for an elegant soiree. A pair of yellow pear diamonds of 3 carat each is encircled by a frame that can be transformed from white to fancy yellow.

Nirav’s note: The exclusivity of this pair is in its versatility. A combination of rare yellow diamonds in the front and white diamonds at the back, the earrings can be worn two ways so that you don’t have to worry about your accessories matching your ensemble.

Ainra Waterfall Earrings

Cascading from a cluster of pear and marquise diamonds, these precisely cut diamonds weigh over 43 carats. The earrings look like they’re straight out of a Hepburn movie; the only accessory needed for an all-black evening gown.

Nirav’s note: The Ainra cut used in the earrings involves fusing and linking two diamonds while a leaving a void in the centre, instead of setting the stones in gold. This makes the earrings weigh considerably lesser, giving it the appearance of having been entirely constructed (instead of set) in diamonds.

En-Tremblant Ring

While the focus of this ring is on the 3-carat yellow oval diamond, the rare pink baguettes mounted alongside white brilliant cut diamonds are the real heroes, bringing about a beautiful play of light.

Nirav’s note: Derived from the French term en tremblant which literally means ‘to tremble’, the pink diamonds on the ring’s periphery are set only from one edge, leaving the rest of them free to move in tandem with the hand.

Biennale Des Antiquaires will take place from September 10th to September 18th, 2016 in Paris, France.