Cover Bezel settings, hardstones and nothing that swings: dressing for a Hong Kong typhoon warning is an art of its own (Photo: courtesy of Qeelin)
Bezel settings, hardstones and nothing that swings: dressing for a Hong Kong typhoon warning is an art of its own (Photo: courtesy of Qeelin)
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Hong Kong’s typhoon season is no reason to dress down. Here is what to wear, what to retire until October, and how to care for the pieces that brave the weather with you
The city does not stop for a T3, and neither does its social calendar. Between June and October, Hong Kong dresses for dinner in 90 per cent humidity, dashes from taxi to lobby through sideways rain, and checks the Observatory app with the same frequency as Instagram. What doesn’t gets discussed is what all of this does to fine jewellery, because the season is hostile to certain pieces, and knowing which ones will save you both heartache and repair bills.
Humidity accelerates tarnish on sterling silver, which is why a stack of silver rings looks tired by August. Perspiration and rain are the enemies of anything foil-backed or surface-treated, a real consideration for collectors of antique and vintage jewellery, where closed-back settings can trap moisture against the stone. Silk cords and leather straps degrade quickly in this climate, and pearls, despite their oceanic origins, are far more delicate than most people assume. Nacre is organic, and the combination of sunscreen, perfume and sweat dulls its lustre over time.
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What to wear
Above Boucheron Serpent Bohème ring, S motif, set with onyx, in yellow gold (Photo: courtesy of Boucheron)
Boucheron Serpent Bohème ring, S motif, set with onyx, in yellow gold (Photo: courtesy of Boucheron)
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Gold and platinum take the season in their stride, so let them do the heavy lifting from June onwards. For pieces worn daily, bezel and flush settings are more secure than prongs, holding stones snugly against knocks from umbrellas, MTR barriers and revolving doors. On earrings, this is the moment for huggies and substantial studs rather than shoulder-grazing drops, because wind is a styling consideration in this city, and must be accounted for. Hardstones earn their keep in this season too: onyx, rock crystal and above all jade, a material that has dressed Hong Kong through every summer on record and remains gloriously indifferent to moisture. If there was ever a season to wear the jadeite bangle rather than admire it in the safe, this is it.
What to retire until autumn
Above Ali Weiss Jewelry gold bangle (Photo: courtesy of Ali Weiss Jewelry)
Ali Weiss Jewelry gold bangle (Photo: courtesy of Ali Weiss Jewelry)
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Pearl strands for daily wear or anything strung on silk falls prey to the typhoon. Traditional pearl strands are knotted on silk thread, and humidity causes the fibre to stretch, weaken and eventually snap, usually without warning and rarely somewhere convenient. If a strand has not been restrung in two or three years, summer is when it will let you know. The same logic applies to cord bracelets and anything on leather, which stiffens and cracks after repeated soakings.
Foil-backed and closed-back vintage pieces deserve particular caution. Georgian and early Victorian jewellery often relied on metallic foil behind the stone to enhance colour and brilliance, sealed inside a closed setting. Moisture that finds its way in has no way out, and it tarnishes the foil and clouds the stone from behind, damage that is largely irreversible. These pieces should not meet rain, and arguably should not meet a Hong Kong summer at all.
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Styling jewellery for every typhoon signal
Above Qeelin WuluWulu Ring in 18-karat Rose Gold set with jade and diamonds (Photo: courtesy of Qeelin)
Qeelin WuluWulu Ring in 18-karat Rose Gold set with jade and diamonds (Photo: courtesy of Qeelin)
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At typhoon signal T1, it’s business as usual, so wear whatever the evening demands. At T3, deploy the edit above: gold, bezels, jade, studs and nothing that swings. At T8, the city goes home and your jewellery box should clock in for its annual service. A typhoon day is a stretch of enforced stillness this city offers, and it is best spent on the maintenance that never makes it up the to-do list. Dry anything recently caught in the rain with a soft, lint-free cloth, never a hairdryer. Wipe down pearls, inspect prong settings for movement, check clasps and jump rings, and restock the silica gel sachets that should live in every jewellery box from June to October, replaced monthly. It is also the moment to take stock of what needs professional attention once the signal drops; most maisons, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels among them, offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for their own pieces, and it is a service too few clients actually use. Black rainstorm? See T8, and put the kettle on.
The storm will pass. Your jewellery, chosen wisely and cared for properly, will outlast every one of them.
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As the Regional Editor for Watches and Jewellery and Editorial Content Lead for Tatler GMT, Amrita Katara specialises in luxury watch and jewellery coverage across Asia, with expertise in editorial strategy, feature writing and interviews with industry leaders. Her past roles span luxury lifestyle media and client partnerships. Based in Mumbai, Amrita’s work bridges global trends and Asian market insights.
