Fun Facts about Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong means “fragrant harbor” in Chinese, and Kowloon mean “nine dragons”
• It is ranked fourth in a global billionaires list and has 64 residents with personal fortunes of over US$1 Billion
• There are 263 islands in Hong Kong
• Dim Sum originated here and means “touch the heart”
• the glittering skyline has over 8,000 skyscrapers
• it is home to jewelers extraordinaire….. FORMS JEWELERY

As much as we love the skyline, the islands, and dim sum, nothing compares with a visit to master jewelers Forms Jewellery . The founders, Tzvika Janover and Elad Assor, are no strangers to exceptional stones, coming from multi-generational families of diamond cutters. Recently, Gilly Strauss joined the executive team as CEO, bringing over 18 years of experience in luxury brand building and value creation to the Forms Family. No strangers to the FORMS brand, we excitedly planned to spend time in the FORMS Hong Kong workshop, eager to learn more about this extraordinary jeweler.

Before we share our experiences with you, lets backtrack a moment to understand why we are so passionate about this brand. Bear in mind that we spend all day every day viewing exceptional jewelry. Yet nothing ever prepares us for the thrill of seeing a new FORMS creation. Each piece is one of a kind, hand crafted, and includes diamonds and gemstones rarely seen elsewhere. Over and above this…it’s all about the design! A FORMS piece can be held from any angle, and the beauty will still captivate you. The details are astounding, and the brand strives to “seek perfection in every imaginable detail of every piece, calling them works of patience”.

The artisans in the workshop patiently handcraft the creations, turning exceptional designs into flawless pieces of jewelry. The design and production artisans work seamlessly together painstakingly handcrafting each step of the process. The resulting pieces are perfect for the FORMS woman, who is as individual, unique, and stylish as the FORMS jewelry she wears. Through the years the design team have evolved the FORMS signature, but the commitment to selecting unusual gemstones and working with precision cut diamonds (diamonds that are custom cut for a specific piece) remains constant.

With only 100 new pieces created each year, FORMS strive to make sure every design counts. The new FORMS collection is based on the ELEMENTS and subtly conveys images of fire, ice,earth and water.  First we saw the earrings, which are detailed, light, flexible, and elegant.

“DIAMOND CHANDELIERS” BY FORMS, REPRESENTING FIRE AND ICE: The earrings have a sense of weightlessness and light, and are exceptionally flexible, gently swaying with every movement! The design team worked hard to make sure they used the least amount of gold possible – when it comes to earrings, a few grams can make all the difference. The earrings are designed to be both statement pieces and exceedingly wearable. Wear them every day with ease…or on the red carpet with confidence!

In addition to the earrings, we saw several new rings that are part of the new collection. We saw designs that have been influenced by both floral (earth) and fire (flame) elements. The new rings all have clean continuous lines, a look only achievable by hand carving each piece until it is exactly right.

The approximately 40ct light brown, antique cushion-cut diamond is classified as a Type IIa, distinguished by an absence of nitrogen. Being the most chemically pure form of diamond it exhibits exceptional optical transparency. Type IIa’s were first unearthed in India, particularly Golconda, and have since been recovered from all major diamond producing regions.

This rare cushion-cut also exhibits antique shapes and preparation styles often encountered in 17th and 18th centuries. With all modern cuttings being digitally generated , there remains an irreplaceable artisanal texture that conveys what is today an almost forgotten level of craftsmanship. Cutters of the old world would implement their personal expertise according to the possibilities organically contained within the stone itself (rather then “band” them to maximize yield laser sowing etc).

These hand-cleaved and polished diamonds allow for a beautiful brilliance which is incomparable to modern tones. Its movements and facets, individually shaped by and according to the human eye, are far softer and some say more feminine than current cuts. Without the limiting requirement to follow pre-designated ‘ideal’ templates regarding the numbers, angles and direction of facets this diamond captures light in an entirely unique way. Its larger, open facets softens dispersion giving the diamond a softer brilliancy in comparison to a modern brilliant cut diamond . For such reasons, earlier periods rightfully considered perfect symmetry to not be as important. This particular diamond displays minor irregularities in both the sizing and positioning of facets thereby producing an exclusive diffusion as well as substantial changes in color when placed under different light.

Besides being such a rare and pure diamond that, to my eyes, is as deep and clear as ocean the modern design in which it has been set is remarkable. Modeled on the ancient Egyptian Ouroboros, this Eastern interpretation implements an Asian dragon with a tail clasp set between its jaws. Used throughout a variety of cultures over the centuries, from Ancient Greece to Jungian psychology, the Ouroboros embodies endless cyclicality or infinite recreation. There is a tangible sense of timeless beauty embodied in both the hints to this archetypal structure as well as within the diamonds themselves.

The piece has two additional types of diamond scales enveloping the entire bangle. The first are half-moon old cuts which echo the central diamonds’ shape. These also portray large, highly specialized softer facets that permit light to effortlessly pass through. The second are pink melee diamonds positioned for pronounced accents or highlights. To release the Ouroboros one must push a hidden pink diamond clasp nestled inside the serpents’ mouth.

The craftsmanship and design is as breathtaking as the diamond. Therefore, all in all, I can honestly call it a once in a lifetime piece to come across and appreciate the beauty as well as the rarity of such an exceptional composition.

With very special thanks to Tzvika Janovar (Director of Forms) for providing such valuable information on traditional and artisanal methods used in the past to cut diamonds and history behind the piece.

You can follow Forms on Instagram and enjoy an up-close experience of the piece through my eyes here: