If you already know the difference between fine jewellery versus fashion, you might be surprised to hear the term ‘high jewellery’ or as the French say ‘haute joaillerie’. In this blog we’ll help you understand the difference between high jewellery and fine jewellery to give you the edge when discussing all things luxury!
What Is Fine Jewellery?
Fine jewellery is created at high level of craftsmanship with precious and semi-precious gemstones and quality materials. When we compare fine jewellery to something like fashion jewellery, it is understood that fine jewellery is the high-quality option and created for entirely separate functions. Fashion jewellery is made for the purpose of accessorising but not to withstand the test of time. Fine jewellery is made with genuine gemstones and high-quality metals and will last generations if looked after properly. In this way, fine jewellery is on a similar level to that of high jewellery.
What Is High Jewellery?
High jewellery, whilst it holds similar aspects to fine jewellery, is known to be on a different level. High jewellery is thought to be made with the highest levels of craftsmanship known, in the ultimate amalgamation where exceptional design meets rare gemstones. Bespoke pieces as such are rarely crafted in abundance and are often one-of-a-kind, accounting towards the rarity and price of high jewellery. The term high jewellery is usually reserved for pieces that display exceptional (and in some case unusual) craftsmanship – unique designs that are truly one of a kind, incorporating the worlds rarest gemstones. High jewellery can be thought of as the haute-couture of the jewellery industry, suiting it’s French name ‘haute joaillerie’ and created by the most well-known jewellery houses.
Differences Between Fine and High Jewellery
The craftsmanship behind both high and fine jewellery are of the highest level, however high jewellery production does tend to have and edge when it comes to the process, as pieces are often more bespoke than fine jewellery. High jewellery is created with rare precious gemstones, whilst fine jewellery can be crafted using different degrees of gemstones. A more obvious difference is the price point. The price is reflected in the materials used but also the time and precision practiced in the craftsmanship. High jewellery comes hand in hand with a high price point, and thus is more often a staple of the more affluent people in the world or even members of the royal family.
Haute- Joaillerie Houses
Jewellery houses such as Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co and Cartier have dominated the jewellery industry for years and are widely renowned for making some of the rarest high-jewellery pieces in the world.
A perfect example is the Peacock brooch by Laurence Graff. The peacock shaped brooch is encompassed with a total of 120.81 carats and 1,305 stones in various colours, valued at over $100 million. Gemstone sourcing, craftsmanship and indeed brand name are all taken into consideration in the valuation of such a unique and extraordinary piece. A piece like this is a one-of-a-kind demonstrating true innovation and the ingenuity of human craftsmanship that you would scarcely see attempted again. It is this kind of unique extradordinary work that places an item in the high jewellery category over fine jewellery.
Recently Christie’s auction house hosted The World of Heidi Horten, a selection of high jewellery once owned by famous Austrian philanthropist and art collector Heidi Horten. Out of many magnificent jewels, one of the most anticipated was the ‘briolette of india’ diamond and diamond necklace crafted by Harry Winston. This piece is very different to the Graff Peacock, but is an excellent example of different kinds of high jewellery.
The necklace is ornamented with colourless, D grade 90.38 carat briolette cut diamond. The diamond can be worn a pendant to a necklace, a clip, or a diadem. As a necklace, the diamond is suspected from a diamond ‘chain’ formed from marquise and pear-shaped diamonds set in platinum. The quality of such a gemstone with such rich history is only complimented by the further diamond ornamentation.
We hope this blog has helped further your understanding in the world of luxury jewellery and inspired you to check out our collection of vintage and antique fine jewellery.
