For a lot of people, buying jewelry denotes having a varied collection of fashionable yet interchangeable pieces that one could mix and match for different occasions. Most would say that jewelry, much like all other accessory types, pairs itself to the moods and tastes of wearers- which can change from day to day.

In contrast to this, a growing trend seems to be banking on the complete opposite mentality. Although not technically new, people are now emphasizing the permanence of certain pieces of jewelry in their lives.

I'm sure you know some friends who every single day wear the same necklaces or rings that were given to them family heirlooms. Wedding bands also work in he same way- that you never really remove them much after you say your vows. This concept of jewelry holding a deep sense of sentimental value can be seen in a revised retro-classical trend called permanent jewelry.



Photography by American jewelry design store Catbird, which just opened a welding annex for this trend of jewelry usage.

This basically involves certain pieces (most notably bracelets and necklaces) that are subtly yet strongly welded from end-to-end around a wearer's body. The length or size of the piece is usually just large enough to fit comfortably, but not to squeeze out of or slip past.

Many who follow this trend, do so with the purpose of commitment- much similar to how engagement rings act as a promise of marriage. These people commit to wearing their jewelry items for long durations or even for their entire lifetimes. In some cases this act is done because the person wants a visual and lasting remembrance of someone or something, which could be a partner, a promise, a family member or even a milestone in his or her life.


Permanent jewelry usually takes the form of more simple, less showy styles. If diamonds or other precious stones are used, these are most often of lower carat weights to provide a long-term comfortable feel to the piece. It would also be unwise to wear a giant 3ct diamond for example, to some certain localities, like a dark alleyway or a place known for pickpockets.



Whether the jewelry styles you subscribe to, are for permanence or switch-ability, the industry always creates more trends that seem to relate to most people's sentimental needs in life.

Another large diamond that had recently been sold at auction, was the 163-Carat D-Flawless "De Grisogono". The gemstone was set at the heart of an asymmetrical necklace adorned by suites of emeralds and other diamonds.



The design by De Grisogono founder Fawaz Gruosi, prioritizes the full visibility of the gemstones' magnificence, and therefore strives to hide all metal from its facade. This almost invisible way of craftsmanship truly brings out the vivid brilliance of both the record-breaking stone, and its accent gems.



Documentations have shown that this one-of-a-kind masterpiece required a schedule of over 1,700 hours to complete. Fourteen craftsmen contributed to the piece's creation, and this is evident in the complexity of its structure and beguiling appearance.

The De Grisogono diamond and its host necklace, sold for 33.7 million US dollars in Geneva under the efforts of Christie's auction house and its partners.

While this number may strike some as being incredibly extravagant for a single piece of jewelry, it was actually viewed as disappointing for many veterans in the diamond auction industry.



Both diamonds and emeralds are favorites here within the jewelry circles of Metro Manila, however specimens even a fifth of the De Grisogono's carat weight are an incredibly rare sight inside Philippine jewelry boutiques. Practicality and trend both play a part in the country's demand for diamonds. Normally, one to five carat sizes are the prime picks for most high society Filipinos, due to their high-movability translating to a better investment value.



Above are pictures of both the diamond and its original rough form. Large diamond rough is very rare, so diamond cutters need to use an array of advanced instrumentation to scan and plot the best angles for cutting out the gem. The more weight preserved, the higher the returns will be for specimens such as this one. (Photography Credits to Christie's Auctions, and De Grisogono)