Antwerp Archives | gioiellis.com

Diamonds are called Bloch

Published on July 30, 2023

Anello Moi et Toi in oro bianco con due diamanti a pera bianco e giallo

Little is known about the Bloch family of Antwerp. Yet from half century Bloch was one of the most popular jewelers in Belgium, but with a wide range of export market too. It is no coincidence that Antwerp is the European capital of diamonds and the Bloch family with diamonds has been uncomfortable for many decades. The company is led by the chief executive officer, Leslie Bloch, while managing director is Mickey Bloch. In short, everything in the family in an atmosphere of total discretion. And the headquarters, in Vestingstraat 59, in the city’s diamond district, is also completely anonymous.

Orecchini a cerchio con diamanti — Hoop earrings with diamonds

The high-end jewelry collections, designed and made in Antwerp, which summarize the style of jewelry developed in the Flemish city, have a precise image. The processing exclusively with highly qualified craftsmen and with high quality stones, with colorless or fancy diamonds, is in the most classic and traditional style possible. Classic solitaire, even more classic rings with precious stones, endless strap, button earrings, etc. Quality is not lacking, there is no lack of extravagant ideas.

Orecchini con diamanti e zaffiri blu — Earrings with diamonds and blue sapphires

Orecchini a bottone in oro bianco e diamanti — White gold and diamond stud earrings

Anello infinity in oro giallo e diamanti — Infinity ring in yellow gold and diamonds

Anello in oro bianco con diamanti, zaffiro rosa e smeraldo — White gold ring with diamonds, pink sapphire and emerald

The links of Salima Thakker

Published on July 15, 2023

Showroom

Bracciale in oro e argento con tormaline multicolori

Salima Thakker, perfect example of cultures that meet: the designer was born and works in Antwerp, an Indian father and a Belgian mother. Antwerp is the European capital of diamonds and jewels were an irresistible temptation for Salima Thakker, moreover to join with the world of art: she studied at the Royal Academy in Antwerp and earned her Master’s degree at the Royal College of Art in London, where she consolidated his profession and passion for design. So much so that she later became a teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts, with which she still collaborates. But her jewelry house came after a collaboration with Damiani, in Milan, about twenty years ago.

Orecchini in oro bianco, diamanti navette e tormalina Paraiba — Earrings in white gold, navette diamonds and Paraiba tourmaline

An experience that helped her to open her workshop and shop in Antwerp, making the jewels herself. The designer describes her work as the result of an intertwining, a shared culture between different ethnic origins, which are a fusion of world culture. She uses only ethically traceable stones, gems and diamonds, and her jewelry is now sold worldwide, including New York, Hong Kong and Antwerp.

Collana in oro 18 carati e argento — Necklace in 18 carat gold and silver

Anello Labyrinth con peridoto — Labyrinth ring with peridot

Anello eternity in oro giallo e diamanti — Eternity ring in yellow gold and diamonds

Anello in oro rosa con tormaline — Rose gold ring with tourmalines

Bracciale in oro giallo 18 carati — 18K yellow gold bracelet

Bracciale in oro giallo 18 carati e citrini — Bracelet in 18K yellow gold and citrines

Bracciale in oro giallo 18 carati e argento sterling — Bracelet in 18K yellow gold and sterling silver

Orecchini in oro bianco e rosa, con morganite e acquamarina — Earrings in white and pink gold, with morganite and aquamarine

The creative vision of Kimy Gringoire Jewelry

Published on February 26, 2023

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The jewels of the Belgian designer Kimy Gringoire Lejeune and her brand Kimy Gringoire Jewelry ♦

Her name is Kimy Gringoire Lejeune and she founded the Kimy Gringoire Jewelry brand. Kim Hye Mee is a designer of Asian origin, but she is a naturalized Belgian: she married a tattoo artist, Alex Lejeune. Wedding rings and crosses were the first step in jewelry.

Anello Eye Temple in oro rosa 18 carati e diamante

Then, she widened the field, with an eclectic and counter-current style, which includes jewels such as handcuffs (in rose gold), which are opened by pressing a diamond. There are two different sizes, for him and for her. Boucle Diamant is a rose gold earring that can be transformed into a minimalist ear stud studded with diamonds. Now it offers One Swing earrings, with hoops that are worn in an unusual way. Or a ring with a double evolution in rose gold, which embraces the fingers and ends with two small globes studded with diamonds. Also innovative are the earrings that rest over the ear (hoping they don’t fall?). In general, the jewels have a very minimal design, but also with new ideas. If you like jewelry with a Nordic atmosphere, Kim Hye Mee’s jewelry could be for you.

Bracciale Love Cables in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti

Bracciale e/o choker Love Cables in oro 18 carati

Anello ottonale in oro rosa e diamanti Swing Swing

The rapid rise of Dries Criel

Published on September 12, 2022

Showroom

Anello ispirato all'antico Egitto in oro bianco, smalto, lapislazzuli

He studied law at the University of Ghent, Belgium. But the only law that really fascinated him is that of jewelry. Dries Criel preferred that of a jewelry designer to the profession of lawyer and in 2019 he founded his Maison. With excellent feedback. So much so that in a short time his jewels were chosen by large online stores as well as on Lady Gaga’s body. His jewels are inspired by different aspects, all related to his interests. For example, from his background in modern dance, from travel, from ancient jewels, from architecture, from contemporary art, but also from ancient Egypt. It goes without saying that, in perfect mainstream, they are also genderless.

Orecchini ispirati all'antico Egitto in oro giallo, smalto, diamanti — Orecchini ispirati all’antico Egitto in oro giallo, smalto, diamanti

The jewels are handcrafted by artisans from Antwerp, where Dries Criel, before founding his Maison, obtained a diploma as a diamond expert from HRD Antwerp, the highest European authority for these gems. But previously he also worked in marketing for Louis Reichman Jewelery. Water under the bridge, he is now a designer.

Orecchini Brute in oro giallo, smalto e diamanti

Orecchini pendenti in oro giallo e diamanti

Bracciale Infinite Triangle in oro giallo e diamanti

lotus yellow gold ring — Anello Lotus in oro giallo

Hulchi Belluni, new jewels, diamonds and Feng Shui

Published on March 21, 2022

Rings/Diamanti/bracciale/Showroom

Anello in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti della collezione Cubini

The new jewels by Hulchi Belluni: born in Belgium, they are produced in Italy, but they also have a hint of the Orient ♦

Martine Hul is a diamond pavé specialist. And she couldn’t be otherwise: she lives and works in the heart of the diamond capital, Antwerp, Belgium. She is a professional in the jewelry industry with a long experience behind her. In 2001 she decided to found her own jewelry line under the Hulchi Belluni brand, which sounds Italian. The explanation is there: the word Hulchi derives from the foundress’s surname (Hul) to which is added (chi), which is a reference to Eastern philosophy. Belluni, on the other hand, sounds similar to the Italian words “bella luna” (beautiful moon). Because Italy was also a source of inspiration for the Belgian designer.

Anello in oro rosa e diamanti della collezione Cheri

In fact, among the collections there are also jewelry lines with the Italian name such as Cubini or Funghetti. The Belgian Maison also has another link with Italy: its jewels are in fact made in Arezzo. However, not all pavé diamonds are the same: the formula of setting many small stones next to each other alternates with elaborate shapes in pink, yellow or white gold.

Bracciali e orecchini della collezione Cubini indossati

But that is not all. Because to distinguish the Belgian brand there is also the choice of designing the jewels in line with the principles of Feng Shui. If you don’t know what it is, we quote the definition from Wikipedia: “Taoist geomantic art of China, an auxiliary of architecture, akin to Western geomancy. Unlike this, however, it also takes into consideration aspects of the psyche and astrology. There is currently no scientific proof of his hypotheses. ” But whether you are fascinated by Feng Shui or not, the jewels are certainly real.

Bracciale in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti della collezione Cubini

Anello in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti della collezione Funghetti

Orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati e diamanti della collezione Petra

Orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati della collezione Funghetti

The thousand reflections of Henri Daussi’s cushion

Published on March 12, 2022

Diamanti/Rings

Anello con diamante centrale a taglio Henri Daussi Cushion

History and diamonds by Henri Daussi, a name and a guarantee like the city in which it was born, Antwerp ♦ ︎
In Antwerp, diamonds are like baguettes in Paris or oranges in Sicily: an element that is part of the territory and tradition. And in the Belgian city, Henri Daussi Loots was born and grew up. He learned the art of cutting diamonds from his father, who in turn had learned it from his father. After years of experience, Henri became a great diamond master and worked for other diamond makers to cut only their most unique and significant diamonds.

Henri, given both a passion and an exceptional talent for cutting the diamond, was the master craftsman and pioneer. He designed a cutting wheel to cut diamonds more precisely and uniformly. He also innovated the classic cushion cut, with a variation that makes it between 10% and 30% larger and brighter. But above all, he became famous for heart-shaped diamonds: he was the first to succeed with it. From a small company with two employees, its DTC (Diamond Trading Company) has grown to 200 employees.
Competence and passion remained in the Loots family. Today the founder’s grandchildren, Jeff and Kristiaan Loots, lead the Henri Daussi, brand founded 60 years ago. The jewels of the Maison, it is easy to guess, they are all based on diamonds.

Anello a banda con una tripla fila di diamanti

Anello con diamanti Henri Daussi Cushion cut

PEndente in oro bianco con pavé di diamanti

Anello a banda con diamanti bianchi e neri

Kimy Gringoire’s new life

Published on January 9, 2022

Rings/Showroom

Love Cables Knuckle Ring a doppio cerchio in oro rosa con diamanti

Evolution or revolution? It happens, at some point in life, that you want or need to start over. And this is what happened to Kim Hye Mee, a Korean designer we have already talked about here. After having created the Kimmeeheye brand in Antwerp and while, she explains, she was about to “create large-scale designs”, the creator discovered she was pregnant and decided to focus on a new brand, together with her partner Steve Marchal.

Bracciale Love Cables in oro rosa 18 carati

The new brand, Kimy Gringoire, intends to celebrate love. She certainly celebrates design: the first collection is called Love Cables. Born in Korea, Kim Hye Mee grew up in Belgium, but she is also a travel enthusiast. After studying Communication in Belgium, she chose jewelry to express her creativity. Kimy Gringoire jewelry design is innovative, but not exuberant. Gold rings, with small diamonds and with soft, rounded lines. However very different from the previous production of the designer.

Love Cables Knuckle Ring in oro rosa con diamanti

Love Cables Square in oro rosa con diamanti

Joelle Jewelery, the tradition that is in fashion

Published on October 21, 2021

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Savransky is the name of a family of diamond traders, based in Antwerp, the European capital of the most sought-after precious stone. But Joelle Savransky began her career in the fashion world, attending the Royal Academy of Antwerp and dealing with clothes. But the call of her roots was too strong: in 2013 the designer founded her jewelry company, Joelle Jewellery. The result is a mix that combines the tradition of diamond jewelery with fashion jewelery, more linked to the following trends. In short, real jewels, but also in tune with current times.

Naturally, the family environment has contributed to making the diamond something close. Her pieces are available in 25 countries around the world, as well as online, and according to the designer they mix Pop Rock and Punk Chic influences with true femininity, even with inspirations reminiscent of Victorian jewelry. The collections are made of gold-plated silver, that is vermeil, often also in a blackened version. And, of course, there is no shortage of small diamonds to enrich bracelets, rings and earrings.

Orecchini in argento annerito e diamanti — Orecchini in vermeil oro rosa con perle

Orecchini in vermeil oro rosa con diamanti

Anello Lack Lace in vermeil annerito e diamanti

Orecchini Feather Climber in argento annerito e diamanti

Gold, diamonds and GioMio

Published on April 13, 2021

Rings/Diamanti/bracciale/Showroom

Anello flessibile in oro bianco e diamanti

Gold, diamonds and the sober elegance of GioMio, fruit of the imagination of Georges Sabbagh ♦ ︎

The name perhaps sound Italian, but was born in Antwerp, the European capital of diamonds, from the initiative of a designer, Georges Sabbagh, of Greek origin. He, however, loves Italy and supports Ferrari. GioMio obviously offers gold and diamond jewelery. The style is recognizable: the jewels are mostly made of pink or white gold, with a diamond outline, often with a larger central stone surrounded by smaller ones, or with a pavé that helps emphasize the brilliance while keeping more content the price.

The jewels are made in Antwerp by local artisans, while the jewels are produced and made by the founder of the brand.

Even if the dominant theme is that of gold and small diamonds, jewels are not monotonous. There are collections, like Diamond Blossom, that can express a light and elegant personality. This collection, for example, reproduces the natural shapes of branches and flowers ready to bloom for spring. Giulia Netrese

Orecchini flessibili in oro rosa e diamanti

Orecchini a cerchio in oro rosa e diamanti

Antonellis, Italy made in Antwerp

Published on January 25, 2021

Showroom

Anello in oro rosa e bianco, con diamanti bianchi e brown della collezione Rijad

Antonellis: name that seems Italian, but Belgian design, here are the jewels of the great North.

The phenomenon of Italian Sound Branding is not confined to food products. Cheese which is named as parmesan but is produced who knows where, or a clothing line with a name that sounds Italian, but is made in Asia, are known phenomena. On the other hand, in Italy and in the rest of the world names in English are often used for brands: it is the globalization.

It is not surprising, therefore, that a jewelry brand called Antonellis, is based in Antwerp, Belgium, the capital of diamonds (and an office in Dubai), and that it was created in 2007 by a Belgian, Anton Schellekens, considered a master in cutting of diamonds. The current owner is, however, Linda Vanderschueren, after 20 years of experience in the sale of Italian luxury jewels she has decided to go on her own. In short, Anton’s name plus the experience with Italy, gave birth to Antonellis, a brand that is very successful in Middle Eastern countries. The design of the brand’s jewels is very traditional: large chains in pink or white gold, obviously many diamonds of excellent quality. It is also not surprising that the collections, there is a new one every year, have names like Lucca, Portofino or Amalfi, to which lines such as Rijad Solitaire or Illusion have been added.

Anello in oro rosa con diamanti bianchi e brown

Catena e pendente in oro rosa e diamanti della collezione Lucca

Bracciale in oro rosa e diamanti della collezione Roma

Bracciale in oro rosa e diamanti della collezione Capri

Anello con diamante taglio smeraldo della collezjone Illusion

The precious legacy of Nadine Aysoy

Published on December 3, 2020

Rings/Showroom/COLLANE

Anello della collezione Catena in oro rosa e rubino cabochon

They are called Catena and Celeste. Two Italian words for the collections of Nadine Aysoy, a Belgian who lives and works in London. In short, an international breath for this luxury jewelry Maison in whose veins flows the blood of a family that has a long history in the world of diamonds. The two Catena and Celeste collections are very different from each other. The first plays on the timeless interlocking of gold rings, in a very creative way, especially as regards the rings. The Celeste collection, on the other hand, uses ethereal white jade with gray-green shades together with tsavorite, rubies and diamonds, an almost exotic style.

Nadine Aysoy was born in Antwerp, Belgium, the city that is the European capital of diamonds. And her grandfather, in fact, was a prominent trader to whom the Belgian government bestowed the honorary title of Dean of the Diamond Industry. A professional legacy that the designer has used in a different way. In fact, before founding his jewelery house, she attended a business school in Switzerland, where the family had moved, and worked in the world of private banking. She then went from arid finance to the world of luxury by designing and redesigning her engagement ring (apparently four times). And she started a new life with gemological studies, always in Switzerland, in Antwerp and then in London. She selects the gems to use for her own jewels. Grandpa would be proud of it.

Orecchini Catena in oro rosa e pavé di diamanti

Collezione Celeste, anello in giada bianca con diamanti e zaffiri gialli

Collezione Celeste, orecchini in giada bianca con diamanti e zaffiri gialli

Anello della collezione Tsarina in oro bianco, diamanti e morganite

Orecchini con perle barocche e zaffiri gialli

Orecchini in giada bianca, zaffiri e diamanti

The double World of Kim Hye Mee

Published on January 8, 2019

Showroom/Rings

anello fiore in oro rosa 18 carati e tormalina rosa

The jewels of the Belgian designer, of Korean origin, Kim Hye Mee: simple geometries that hide complex solutions ♦

She defines herself as “rough and refined at the same time.” Kim Hye Mee is a designer of Korean descent, but grew up in Brussels, Belgium, where she lives and works. She founded the brand that bears his name in 2012. In fact she is not rough at all. Indeed, her research on more than on form than materials, and her position as an emerging designer and undoubtedly original. Her collections are located in high-end jewelry, with a luxury not too ostentatious, linear, almost simple. Almost.

In fact her ideas seem easy, but are the result of a strong personality. To act as the main protagonist is the idea of the double. His pieces are often reversibles, foldables, transformables. Rings with two faces, bracelets and earrings that are duplicated are halved are part of the repertoire of this young but determined designers: to allow these movements, often the jewels hidden complexes invisible mechanisms. Gold, also rhodium, and whites or blacks diamonds, are the base materials he works on Kim Hye Mee. Prices: a ring of Swing Swing collection ring costs about 6000 euro. Giulia Netrese

Orecchino Alana in oro bianco e tormalina verde

Orecchino Carlotta Oro bianco e diamanti bianchi — Orecchino Carlotta in oro bianco bianchi, rubino e morganite

Anello Engagement Alliance, in oro giallo

Anello Swing Swing, oro rosa e diamanti, aperto

Sold the Diamond Legend

Published on March 16, 2018

news/Diamanti

The world’s fifth largest diamond, The Lesotho Legend, is sold for 40 million dollars ♦
In which jewels will the fifth largest diamond in the world be transformed? The diamond, 910 carats, perfect, color D, type IIa, was extracted in January from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. Just over a month later it was sold to Antwerp, Beglio, world capital of diamonds, for 40 million. The diamond has been nicknamed The Lesotho Legend and now belongs to the Gem Diamonds mining company. But perhaps it was a bargain: the price of the diamond sale, in fact, was 43.956 dollars per carat, that is a figure much lower than the record price touched for a rough diamond, ie 77.649 dollars, established by Constellation, stone of 812 , 77-carat, extracted years ago by Lucara Diamond in Botswana. Who is the new owner of the fifth largest diamond in the world? It is called Samir Gems, and it’s a stone broker based in Antwerp, founded in 1982 and managed by the Indian family Bhansali, who bought the stone together with other partners. All that remains is to wait for the birth of an equally exceptional jewel. Rudy Serra