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Lot Essay
Since its inception in 1953, the De Beers Diamonds-International Awards have recognised the most original designs in fine jewellery. Their aim is to stimulate creativity and innovation in the design of new and exciting jewellery using diamonds of all shapes and sizes.
In 1998 there were twenty-five winning designs from fourteen countries, with the ultimate winners being Philippe Ratinaud and Oliver Pasetto. The award was made by an independent panel of judges, drawn from leading figures in the world of fashion and design.
In order to create such special pieces, the twenty-five winners used in excess of 1,400 carats of diamonds. The award has grown to truly international standards and in 1998 attracted entrants from a total forty-three countries, who between them submitted over 2,200 designs.
In the most recent award ceremony on January 18th 2000 at the Pyramide du Louvre in Paris, Anthony Oppenheimer summed up the purpose of the award by commenting "This years Diamonds-International Award collection captures the magic and mystique of the new millennium, and the imaginitive and innovative designs enhance the diamonds allure and transcend time".
Philippe Ratinaud was born into a family of jewellers in Limoges and as soon as he left school at the age of 15, he started his apprenticeship in Paris. He then worked for 15 years at Place Vendôme before returning to Limoges to set up his own workshop, where he works with his wife Laurence.
In 1998, his necklace "Hermine" won the De Beer's Diamonds-International Award and was subsequently featured in numerous magazines, including Vogue, Marie Claire and Jewellery International. The necklace contains 660 diamonds, weighing 57 carats and is mounted in grey gold and an interesting feature is that each stone is set on an articulated stem.
In 1998 there were twenty-five winning designs from fourteen countries, with the ultimate winners being Philippe Ratinaud and Oliver Pasetto. The award was made by an independent panel of judges, drawn from leading figures in the world of fashion and design.
In order to create such special pieces, the twenty-five winners used in excess of 1,400 carats of diamonds. The award has grown to truly international standards and in 1998 attracted entrants from a total forty-three countries, who between them submitted over 2,200 designs.
In the most recent award ceremony on January 18th 2000 at the Pyramide du Louvre in Paris, Anthony Oppenheimer summed up the purpose of the award by commenting "This years Diamonds-International Award collection captures the magic and mystique of the new millennium, and the imaginitive and innovative designs enhance the diamonds allure and transcend time".
Philippe Ratinaud was born into a family of jewellers in Limoges and as soon as he left school at the age of 15, he started his apprenticeship in Paris. He then worked for 15 years at Place Vendôme before returning to Limoges to set up his own workshop, where he works with his wife Laurence.
In 1998, his necklace "Hermine" won the De Beer's Diamonds-International Award and was subsequently featured in numerous magazines, including Vogue, Marie Claire and Jewellery International. The necklace contains 660 diamonds, weighing 57 carats and is mounted in grey gold and an interesting feature is that each stone is set on an articulated stem.