But although “new”, the house was founded on many principles of the past. “Inspired by the foundations laid by Cardinal Mazarin in 17th century France. Even by the love of diamonds that he passed on to his protégé Louis XIV. So Maison Mazerea revives the concepts of fine diamond making,” Maison Mazerea founder Peter J. Ravenscroft tells JCK.
“It sources the finest natural diamonds, hand-shaped into unique shapes. It also uses traditional cuts that best suit the fancy coloured diamonds and guarantee quality and provenance. Hence haute diamanterie represents a return to tradition. At a time when diamonds were not a global commodity, but where the individual beauty of each stone created passion, desire and romance known only to kings.”.
A variety of yellow Maison Mazerea diamonds.
To ensure full traceability of these stones, Ravenscroft believes that we need to return to the ways of the old, pre-laboratory days, from extraction to market. “With a full chain of custody from mine to jewellery, we can guarantee impeccable provenance. We can also guarantee ethical practices throughout the process,” he says.
“We can connect jewellery end customers with local mining communities. Direct a percentage of final retail revenues to reforming community and environmental projects through the independent Mazerea Foundation.”.
The Maison Mazerea Grace diamond, 1.79 carats, fancy vivid purple-pink diamondwhat.
The first stone produced by the house was designed by renowned jeweller Lorenz Bäumer in collaboration with the Princess Grace Foundation. The foundation supports emerging talent in the performing arts.
The fancy 1.79-carat pink stone formerly known as Argyle Stella was aptly named Grace Diamond.
It was one of the last five to come from the now closed Argyle mine in Australia. This mine was particularly known for its pink stones. The design was inspired by one of Bäumer's favourite songs, «La Vie en Rose». «It reflects the pleasure derived from the simplest and most spectacular things life has to offer,» Bäumer and his atelier tell JCK. The result? «A classic, timeless, yet modern design that offers the wearer so many ways to reveal their beauty.».
This is just the beginning of Maison Mazerea's diamond capabilities. “Maison Mazerea is a new force in diamond jewellery,” says Ravenscroft. “It's not just a mining company, not just a jewellery company, but a vertically integrated diamond company. Maison Mazerea seeks to revive the desire for rare and magnificent diamonds.”.
