Carnet by Michelle Ong

Book excerpt: Spectacular colored gems and expressive forms redefine high jewelry in an inspiring blend of East and West. Jeweler Michelle Ong’s multi-hued creations crystallize natural forms with invisible mastery. The hovering translucency of dragonfly wings, the succulence of ripe fruits, and the whisper-light touch of a feather: each jewel is a miniature sculptural work of art. Michelle Ong established Carnet, her Hong Kong-based boutique jewelry house, over 25 years ago, and her unique one-off creations draw on Chinese motifs and her love of European culture and craftsmanship. She transforms jade, China’s imperial gemstone, into an Art Deco-style cocktail ring and her Chinese dragon, a fierce, yet benign creature, writhes in blackened gold and pave´-set emeralds, breathing a stream of fiery rubies. Michelle Ong’s work is acknowledged to be among the greatest in high jewelry, renowned for its sublime designs, idiosyncratic color combinations and deft craftsmanship. This volume will be required reading for serious collectors and aficionados, and a source of deep delight for all those seeking inspiration from the finest of contemporary jewelry creators.