NATURAL SAPPHIRES BLUE ROMANTIC COLLECTION LAUNCHED IN COLOMBO
- Ms Tourism International Vera Dijkstra at launch wearing crown designed by FJC
- Internationally acclaimed jeweller and member of Shanghai New Couture Committee Paloma Sanchez attends event
- Thai Actress and Beauty Queen Nampetech Sunannipar flies in for launch
At a glittering event of glamour and style, internationally renowned exporters of calibrated and unique natural sapphires from Sri Lanka, Precision Lapidaries and Natural Sapphires Ceylon, in partnership with the Fine Jewellery Company (FJC) launched its new jewellery line, ‘Natural Sapphire Blue’ at Rotunda Gardens, Colombo 3.
Arriving at the launch was the reigning Ms Tourism International, Vera Dijkstra, wearing the meticulously handcrafted crown for Ms. Tourism International, which interweaves this island nation’s rich history, ancient traditions and vibrant multi-dimensional cultures using Ceylon blue sapphires, rubies and topaz. Also at the launch was famed Thai actress Nampetech Sunannipar displaying the fastidious craftsmanship of FJC, wearing an exclusive necklace set with pink sapphires and diamonds, a fine example of the unique artistry imbued within the Natural Sapphires Blue jewellery collection. Also joining the glamorous cohort of invitees was international award winning jewellery designer Paloma Sanchez, one of the thirty best jewellery designers in the world, featured in the ‘Unique Book, The Best Jewelry Designers’ launched at Baselworld 2013.
The Romantic Collection of Royal Blue Ceylon Sapphire Jewellery unveiled at the launch was a true canvas of lustre, sparkle and glamour. The exquisite necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings are delicate and ethereal, with a touch of the esoteric, inspired by the romanticism of the 1930s where evenings were bedecked with allure, charm and a touch of the opulent. This Collection adds elements of Old Ceylon to vignettes of the contemporary with its fascinating setting of the dark lustrous mystery of blue sapphires, surrounded by sparkling diamonds for that hint of vivacity, so emblematic of the Art Déco era.
According to Creative Director of FJC Nabeel Salie, “The collection draws inspiration from the legacy of his great grandfather M.U.M. Salie, or Prince Salie of Ceylon as he was known, who, over a century ago crossed oceans to bring the mysteries of the Orient to the USA, etching a name and vast fortunes in the 1920s and 1930s. Prince Salie’s donation in 1921 of 55 gemstones stand proudly alongside the iconic gem collections of Charles Lewis Tiffany at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History at its founding. Robert Shipley (Founder of GIA) referred to the moonstone as Salie’s Stone in his Dictionary of Gems and Gemmology published in 1971.”
Chairman of international award winning supplier of precision cut calibrated Ceylon Sapphires to some of the leading jewellery houses in the world and Registered Vendor for Tiffany & Company, Precision Lapidaries, Faiq Rehan Salie says, “Our stones adorn the collections of some of the most glamourous women in the world, from royalty to Hollywood. We now want to make those high quality stones accessible to Sri Lankans, as we have been in the business of sourcing, cutting and producing some of the finest gemstones the world has ever seen. Our uniqueness is that we control every process from the sourcing of the finest quality royal blue sapphires to crafting meticulous fine jewellery while maintaining the highest quality standards, all under one roof at our state of the art facility in Colombo.”
Nabeel, whose experience is drawn from working at Tiffany & Co, Dunhill and the Richemont Group’s Mont Blanc, possesses an infectious enthusiasm, well seen in the brilliance of the Ms Tourism International crown he conceptualized. During his tenure, FJC has also won the jewellery design award at Fashion Asia in China in 2015 and has taken FJC to the skies with it’s jewellery offered on Srilankan Airlines and Malindo Air on board.
The combination of uncompromising quality which unequivocally presents the world’s best Royal Blue Ceylon sapphires sourced, tested, designed and crafted with unparalleled skill within a state of the art lapidary and jewellery manufacturing factory showcased at a flagship boutique all in the same premises right here in Colombo, now opens a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of exquisite hand-sculpted collections for the discerning customer to indulge in.