Boucheron's Carte Blanche Necklace: 580 Carats of Smoky Quartz with Victorian Tattoo Motifs

Claire Choisne, the creative director at Boucheron, has introduced a stunning high jewelry necklace as part of the maison's annual Carte Blanche collection, featuring an impressive 580 carats of smoky quartz. This design is inspired by Victorian-era tattoos, showcasing bas-relief carvings on the back of each stone, which appear to be encased in rock crystal. Craftsmanship for the intricate etching demanded over 200 custom tools, some of which needed modifications as they were used. The necklace reflects nature themes from founder Frédéric Boucheron, including poppies, cicadas, and butterflies. Taking 3,220 hours to create, it features a 1.74-carat D VVS1 troidia-cut diamond and pavé diamonds in 18-karat white gold. An exhibition titled 'Boucheron: In Focus—A Monograph of a Visionary' will showcase this piece from October 9 to 18, in partnership with Christie's New York, highlighting 168 years of the house's history. Choisne is recognized for her innovative designs, previously utilizing materials like Aerogel to create unique diamond displays. Frédéric Boucheron, the pioneer behind the first shop on Place Vendôme, was also celebrated for his iconic designs, including the Question Mark necklace.