Some of the most extraordinary pieces of high jewellery and watches were temporarily homed in Australia last week, when Bulgari brought its MAGNIFICA collection to Australia.
Taking to the heritage-listed Swifts mansion in Sydney’s Darling Point, VIP guests were introduced to more than 150 pieces of exquisite craftsmanship and some of the rarest gems in the world.
The star piece was the glittering Imperial Spinel necklace, which features a 131.21 spinel — the fourth largest known spinel in the world, and the largest not to be part of an imperial collection. Once thought to be a ruby, the spinel was found in Tajikistan, where all major spinels (including the famous Black Prince’s Ruby) have been discovered.
Other highlights included the Divas’ Dream necklace—a 15 carat cabochon-cut rubellite set in pink gold with buff-top cut rubies and tourmalines—and the Magnifiche necklace, with boasts an 11 carat antique cushion-cut Colombian emerald. The playful Bulgari signatures were seen throughout, whether through its iconic Serpenti collection, stunningly bright green and pink jewels, or hidden Alice in Wonderland motifs.
“The MAGNIFICA collection is a brilliant expression of the bold, timeless creativity that sits at the heart of the Bulgari world,” Bulgari’s Oceania managing director Andrew McLaren said. “It is exciting to see jewellery of such breathtaking rarity and extravagance here on our shores in Australia.”
It was the most prestigious showcase from Bulgari to be exhibited locally in the Italian brand’s history, so it only made sense to select an equally prestigious location.