The glisten of a string of pearls resting on your chest or dangling from your earlobe is, we’d argue, one of the most elegant ways to dress up an outfit. But how does such an iconic piece of jewellery come to be?
It’s this journey from ocean to heirloom that Paspaley, one of the original Australian pearling families, brings to life with their newest collection. Titled ‘Anchored In Paspaley’, the newest additions to the Paspaley design vocabulary invite wearers into the adventures of a Master Pearler. “To step aboard the pearling vessels with their anchors, ropes and chains, with divers in gleaming black wetsuits searching the seas for the most lustrous pearl oyster on earth,” explains Paspaley’s Creative Director, Christine Salter.
“Our story of beauty and treasure-seeking doesn’t exist without the tools and hardware that are used on pearling vessels. In bringing them to life in the form of luxury jewellery – rendered in precious metals and exquisite gems – we’re honouring them, but above all we’re honouring the Paspaley journey."
This story is told via 22 new pieces, each design drawing inspiration from nautical hardware. Building on the existing Lavalier collection – which is modelled on the instantly-recognisable trope of antique glass buoys encased in rope net, that were once used to mark the pearl oyster beds – are three new Anchored Lavalier designs.
These pieces add jewel-encrusted chains to the buoy pendants, based on the nautical chains used on Paspely’s pearling vessels. There’s also a Tassel Anchored Lavalier iteration, which recalls the frayed ropes found on Town Beach in Broome via jewel-encrusted chains, with gradations in colour across each piece a nod to the weathering that occurs to this equipment after being exposed to water and sun over time. Of course, pearls take centre stage in these new pieces, with the Anchored Lavalier necklaces designed to hold Paspaley’s most voluptuous pearls, suspended in jewel-covered nets.
The Dive collection has also been extended with new Anchor Link chains, modelled on the nautical chains found on pearl vessels, and brought to life in a selection of previous metals and stones, including white diamonds, black spinel, and turquoise.
To commemorate the new pieces, Paspaley hosted an intimate dinner celebration, housed within the Paspaley Vault, located within the Paspaley Flagship Boutique in Sydney – one of the city's most significant heritage buildings. Inside, the space was transformed with blooming arrangements of native florals, and the soft cent of sandalwood and eucalyptus; each element paying tribute to the Kimberly region, and the heritage of Paspaley pearls. Guests including Paspaley muse Charlee Fraser, Gemma Ward, and Victoria lee dined on a curated menu by Aaron Teece which, much like the jewels they were gathered to celebrate, paid tribute to oceanic flavours and native elements. Take a glimpse into the evening below.
'Anchored In Paspaley' is now available at all Paspaley boutiques and online at Paspaley.com.
