The first jewellers to set up shop at the famed Place Vendôme, Paris in 1893, Boucheron The brand has always been known for creating pieces with the finest gemstones and been a forerunner in terms of technique and style. Adding to the brands formidable range of accessories is the recently launched limited-edition of five unisex rings called the Quatre Black Edition collection.
First launched in 2004, the Quatre ring the signature of the Maison has become a bestseller for Boucheron. The first collection had different gold bands, assembled using variable widths that could be then set with diamonds. The second edition of the Quatre rings launched in 2011, called the White edition collection, presented rings enhanced by the addition of a new material called white ceramic. The 2012 Black Edition collection presents the first Quatre ring to feature black gold and white gold.
These rings are especially significant for Boucheron because all the variations of the Quatre ring are inspired by the iconic motifs of the house, which it has reinterpreted with elegance and modernity. The collection embodies Paris and the citys creativity, architecture and light. Each ring (available for $2000-$8700) presents a harmonious assembling of the four motifs of the brand: the gadroon, the line of diamonds, clous de Paris and grosgrain.
The gadroon as seen in the first band, is one of Boucherons oldest motifs. This engraving technique that juxtaposes gold bands side by side, (in this case white gold bands) was discovered by founder Frédéric Boucheron in 1889. The second diamond paved band is a testament to the houses reputation to its relentless quest for the rarest, most perfect and exceptional stones and to the art of cutting and sublimating them. The third band in black gold represents the Clous de Paris motif, (also seen in some earlier iconic Boucheron pieces) which pays tribute to the cobblestones of the City of Light, particularly to those of Place Vendôme, the legendary address of the Maison. The final touch comes with the grosgrain motif in the fourth band that crowns the Quatre ring. Goldsmiths use highly specialised tools to hammer and chisel gold in order to give it life and movement. Besides showcasing the savoir faire of the jeweller, this motif, rich in terms of volume, graphic effect and roundness, also evokes the bridges that span the landscape of the City of Light. Each band is crafted and sculpted individually, using only age-old techniques before uniting the bands into one inseparable creation.