CHOW TAI FOOK JEWELLERY GROUP LIMITED Entrusted creation to world-renowned jewellery artist Wallace Chan
One of the rarest diamond masterpieces to emerge from contemporary China
Embodies Chow Tai Fook's heritage as a diamond expert
(Hong Kong, 3 September 2015) Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited ("Chow Tai Fook" or the "Company"; collectively with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; HKEx Stock Code: 1929), the largest jeweller listed in Hong Kong and one of the world's top few by market capitalisation with 86 years' heritage, today unveiled "A Heritage in Bloom" - one of the most significant diamond masterpieces of such creative and intricate artistry to have emerged from contemporary China.
Created by world-renowned jewellery artist Wallace Chan, the piece is centred upon 24
D-colour internally flawless (DIF) diamonds cut from the Cullinan Heritage, an exceptionally
rare 507.55 carat Type IIA rough diamond Chow Tai Fook acquired in 2010, and
subsequently spent three years cutting and polishing. The largest piece - the 104 carat DIF
brilliant round diamond with the highest possible cut grade of 3-Excellent - is one of the
largest of its kind ever made. "A Heritage in Bloom" also boasts the singular quality of
uniting an entire family of diamonds cut from the same rough stone within a single piece of
jewellery, an artistic decision unheard of in a contemporary piece.
Dr. Henry Cheng, Chairman of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group said, "Today we complete a journey we began five years ago, and we could not be more proud of the exceptional and historic creation that has emerged. Continuing the Cullinan legend, the world-renowned Master Jewellery Artist Wallace Chan has brought the Cullinan diamonds to life. "A Heritage in Bloom" embodies Chow Tai Fook's commitment to Chinese culture, patronage of the arts and statusas a diamond expert. We consider it to be a work of art that will last the ages as the crown jewel of the Chow Tai Fook brand.""A Heritage in Bloom" also brings together thousands of white diamonds and hundreds of pink diamonds, totaling 383.4 carat, as well as more than one hundred pieces of green jadeite and mutton fat white jade. The creation of this masterpiece represents more than
47,000 hours of efforts and craftsmanship. Uniquely modular, it can be worn in 27 different styles, showcasing the sophistication of the design and exquisite composition that is beyond comparison.
"This is my very first collaboration with Chow Tai Fook," said Wallace Chan. "We have a shared dream - to realise a creation that can be passed on from generation to generation with this once-in-a-lifetime encounter."
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Photo CaptionsHigh-resolution photos are available for download at: http://we.tl/U7dENV1EIv
Dr. Henry Cheng, Chairman of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group (Left 2) and jewellery artist Wallace Chan (Right 2) officiate at the
unveiling ceremony of the Cullinan Masterpiece "A Heritage in Bloom"
Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4
Chow Tai Fook acquired the 507.55-carat Type IIA rough diamond known as the Cullinan Heritage in 2010.
The 104-carat diamond cut from the rough stone Cullinan Heritage is one of the biggest and rarest diamonds in the world: D colour, internally
flawless, round
brilliant-cut,
3-Excellent.
Chow Tai Fook made the rare decision to use the entire family of all 24 DIF diamonds cut from one rough stone, the Cullinan Heritage, in one jewellery masterpiece - the first such attempt in contemporary China.
Created by Wallace Chan, world-renowned jewellery artist, the uniquely modular masterpiece "A Heritage in Bloom" which can be worn in 27 different styles represents a timeless work of art.
About the Cullinan HeritageIn 2010, Chow Tai Fook successfully bid for the 507 carat Cullinan Heritage rough diamond at
US$35.3 million (approximately HK$275 million), setting a record price for a rough diamond.
A rare Type IIA rough diamond, the Cullinan Heritage is world-renowned for its extreme clarity, flawless quality and noble heritage. It was discovered in 2009 in Gauteng Province, South Africa at the Cullinan Diamond Mine, where the majority of the world's most famous diamonds have been uncovered. Other important diamonds unearthed there include The Cullinan Diamond, the world's largest ever discovered, in 1905 that to this day still forms a major part of several of the British Crown Jewels.
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About Wallace Chan
Wallace Chan founded his own gemstone carving workshop when he was 17.
In 1987, he invented the "Wallace Cut", an illusionary carving technique that transcends dimensions. As a result, he was crowned the "Carving Prodigy from Asia" by European media. In 2001, after a decade immersing in Buddhist art, he created the Great Stupa for Fo Guang Shan, Taiwan.
Chan also spent 8 years to experiment with titanium, the most bio-friendly metal known to date. He surprised BASELWORLD 2007 with a series of jewellery creations featuring ethereal titanium structures, the technical secrets of which he later unveiled to the world.
Chan was the first Chinese jewellery artist ever invited to exhibit and deliver speeches at the GIA headquarter. In 2012 and 2014, he emerged at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris as the first and only Asian artist ever invited to exhibit at this prestigious fair.
International media has featured Wallace Chan extensively, introducing his creations as well as innovations, to name but a few - the patented jadeite thinning and luminosity enhancing technology, and his revolutionary gemstone-setting-gemstone technique.
Today, Wallace Chan is recognized as the jewellery creator, artist and philosopher.
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited ( Stock Code: 1929 ) is a world-class leading jeweller listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011. Being the largest jeweller listed in Hong Kong by market capitalisation, which is also one of the world's top few, the Group also excels as the number one for sales in the world.
The iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" of the Group has been widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for product design, quality and value. The acquisition of Hearts On Fire, an internationally acclaimed U.S. luxury diamond brand, in August 2014 has further underpinned the Group's stature as a diamond expert in the industry.
The Group boasts an extensive retail network comprising over 2,260 Chow Tai Fook and Hearts On Fire standalone shops spanning 500 cities in Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States, as well as a strong and fast growing e-tail network through operating its Chow Tai Fook e-Shops and various e-tail accounts on other online shopping platforms.
The Group's sophisticated vertically integrated business model provides it with an effective and tight control over the entire operation chain from raw material procurement, design, production, to marketing and sales through its extensive POS and e-tail channels.
Corporate website: http://corporate.chowtaifook.com | Jewellery website: www.chowtaifook.com
Joanne Wong - Deputy Head, Corporate Affairs Peony Sze - Corporate Affairs Manager
Tel: +852 2138 8338 Tel: +852 2138 8337
Email: joannewong@chowtaifook.com Email: peonysze@chowtaifook.com
Email: chowtaifook@brunswickgroup.com
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