Cover Jewellery pieces from Carl the Jeweller on display for Colours and Cocktails at Shangri-La the Fort Manila
Jewellery pieces from Carl the Jeweller on display for Colours and Cocktails at Shangri-La the Fort Manila
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Carl the Jeweller
Tatler Philippines and Carl the Jeweller gathered guests for ‘Cocktails & Colour’ to explore the history, significance and allure of coloured gemstones and jewellery
Precious stones and coloured gems have fascinated humanity for thousands of years, gradually transforming into cultural symbols and marks of prestige. Tatler Philippines and Carl the Jeweller brought together guests to critically examine why these exquisite pieces became so significant—and why they continue to captivate today.
The refined pieces of Carl the Jeweller were on display for our guests to appreciate and peruse. Behind delicate panels of glass sat handpicked jewellery, including rings, necklaces and bracelets, glittering with brilliant cuts of emeralds, rubies and sapphires. A live DJ set by Carlos del Prado and illustrations by Pete Rich enriched the already multifaceted gathering, while heady drinks and delectable canapés rounded out the intimate evening that invited curiosity.
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Above Carl the Jeweller founders Carl and Pat Fider, Tatler Philippines managing director Irene Martel Francisco and Karan Chimandas
Carl the Jeweller founders Carl and Pat Fider, Tatler Philippines managing director Irene Martel Francisco and Karan Chimandas
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Above Joy Rustia
Above Ane Preysler
Joy Rustia
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Our elegant host, Anne Gauthier, opened the night’s program by introducing Carl Fider, the founder of Carl the Jeweller and Tessera Jewelry. “People often ask me what makes a gemstone special,” Fider remarked. “Of course, there’s rarity, origin, quality and certification. All of those things matter, but for me, as a jeweller, it’s much simpler than that. The best stones make you feel something before you even know it.”
“That’s what tonight is about—not just looking at beautiful jewellery, but understanding and appreciating what makes them so exceptional.”
Arriving from Hong Kong was Stephen Andarakis, laboratory director of the International Gemological Institute (IGI). IGI has been in the industry for over 50 years, operating 30 laboratories and 19 gemological schools across 10 countries.
“When you start working with gemstones, particularly diamonds, it’s a little overwhelming,” Andarakis remarks. “It’s such a magnificent stone. It’s sparkling, it’s amazing. You start to see thousands of diamonds every single day, you get a little bit desensitised. But for coloured gemstones, it’s a whole different world.”
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Above Carl Fider, founder of Carl the Jeweller
Carl Fider, founder of Carl the Jeweller
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Above Stephen Andarakis, laboratory director of the International Gemological Institute, begins his discussion on coloured gemstones
Stephen Andarakis, laboratory director of the International Gemological Institute, begins his discussion on coloured gemstones
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His discussion centred on emeralds—the rare phenomena required for their formation, and their long association with royalty in antiquity, from Egypt to Persia to Rome. One notable stone warranted particular mention: the 5,655-carat Inkalamu ("lion") emerald from Zambia. Emerald, Andarakis noted, is a variety of beryl, placing it in the same family as aquamarine and morganite. "They are the same mineral species," he explained, "but the differences are due to trace elements. Emeralds primarily get their colour because they have chromium and vanadium."
Above Prized jewellery pieces from Carl the Jeweller
Above Jonathan Sterling
Prized jewellery pieces from Carl the Jeweller
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Above Ane Preysler, Duday Tuason, Marleen Uyecio and Tatler Philippines deputy editorial director, dining & travel editor Isabel Martel Francisco
Ane Preysler, Duday Tuason, Marleen Uyecio and Tatler Philippines deputy editorial director, dining & travel editor Isabel Martel Francisco
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The four C’s—cut, clarity, colour and carat—are ordinarily used to evaluate diamonds. But Andarakis noted that this framework can also be applied to coloured gemstones like emeralds. “The most important ‘C’ is colour,” he remarks. “But there are two different value factors—country of origin and treatments.” In the case of the former, he considers Colombia and Zambia as the two highest quality producers in the world.
The very word “treatment” implies something negative, Andarakis acknowledges. However, it is a necessary procedure to perform to bring out the inner colour or improve clarity. “A light treatment is accepted as long as it’s done in a light manner,” he explains. “Emeralds have a lot of inclusions and fissures reaching the surface.”
At the conclusion of Andarakis’ insightful discussion on coloured gemstones, guests returned to explore the jewellery pieces of Carl the Jeweller on display with renewed appreciation for its beauty. They were now given the chance to view these pieces in way a jeweller would: not solely through a numerical evaluation, but through a genuine fascination with its qualities beyond what an appraisal might suggest.
Visit carlthejeweller.com and follow them on Instagram @ctj_carlthejeweller.
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Credits
Photography: Mon Magnolia
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
