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Beyond
the light
An initiatory journey into the heart of ancient Egypt
Exceptional diamonds, transformable pieces, technical innovations, and original designs. Beyond the Light is an infinite light and a new horizon for Messika High Jewelry.
An initiatory journey into the heart of ancient Egypt
Exceptional diamonds, transformable pieces, technical innovations, and original designs. Beyond the Light is an infinite light and a new horizon for Messika High Jewelry.
An initiatory journey into the heart of ancient Egypt
This year, Valérie Messika explores the fascinating and mysterious lure of ancient Egypt. She unveils a solar and powerful High Jewelry collection: Beyond the Light, an incandescent shower of gold and diamonds - a promise of eternal radiance. The Parisian Maison dreams up a unique and mystical journey. A magical odyssey where passion, audacity and excellence compose an entrancing and majestic collection of unparalleled artistry.
The Artistic Director perfectly blends her inspirations and know-how. Through a purity of form and graphic lines, an imperial look and exceptional stones, Valérie Messika conducts a retro-futuristic symphony subtly tinged with Egypt and its hypnotic mythology. Unique and innovative sets where diamonds are transformed from piece-to-piece result in a vibrant and mystic collection of jewels. As the masterpiece of the collection, Akh-Ba-Ka and its constellation of 15 exceptional diamonds radiate a light of near illusive purity that emanates from the incomparable 33-carat diamond. This gem from a 110-carat rough diamond reveals an incredible story, where passion, instinct and know-how intersect. Akh-Ba-Ka is a majestic set that sublimates the mythical theme of the Egyptian winged scarab. “Ancient Egypt was a civilisation that continues to fascinate all generations and cultures. It emanates a mystery, an almost magical aura that evokes eternity. It is also a world that instills a powerful and inspiring spirituality,” explains Valérie Messika.
Exceptional diamonds, transformable pieces, technical innovations, and original designs. Beyond the Light is an infinite Light and a new horizon for Messika High Jewelry.
collection-beyond-the-light-press-full-title-line1 AKH-BA-KA
AKH-BA-KA
AKH-BA-KA
The odyssey of an exceptional diamond
The Maison of Messika is writing a new chapter in its history with a remarkable 33-carat diamond, an extraordinary stone that illuminates the centrepiece of the 2022 High Jewelry collection. Valérie Messika dares to take on an unexpected challenge by creating Akh-Ba-Ka, a set with a design inherently inspired by ancient Egypt mythology and style, conceived in diamonds and white gold. The hero diamonds featured within the set are 15 exceptional gems cut from the same rough diamond of 110 carats. Fifteen diamonds are brought together in the same creative gesture, through inclusion within the same set, magnifying the rebirth of this incredible diamond.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the KA symbolises vital energy and BA is representative of transformation, from flight to the afterlife. From the union of these forces springs AKH, the transfiguration of a person toward the light. Therefore Akh-Ba-Ka is transcendence, a fascinating epic of a rough diamond, as well as a story of transmission, family and unique know-how. Behind this fantastic odyssey hides a rough diamond of 110 carats discovered in the Lucara mine in Botswana.
Akh-Ba-Ka is also a great technical challenge in terms of High Jewelry. A true masterpiece within the set, the necklace boasts 2,550 diamonds, totalling 71,49 carats. Its contemporary yet progressive design reinterprets the mythical Egyptian winged scarab thanks to an ingenious combination of diamonds and faceted white gold..
In the center of this extraordinary necklace, the 33-carat diamond is inserted by a subtle play of pendants. Whilst the cushion cut of the stone offers a classic accent, Valérie Messika's creative instinct has taken it into another dimension. The Artistic Director was able to draw the quintessence of this stone, which perfectly sublimates the body of a retro-futuristic winged scarab. This insect, sacred to the Egyptians, is a symbol of rebirth, and like a diamond, calls for eternity. The strength of this gem comes from its extraordinary properties: classified D for its colour and FI for its clarity. Therefore, this special stone is one of very rare purity. Its incomparable radiance makes it almost incandescent. The designer’s progressive vision led her to magnify this light in a composition all in white gold – an unexpected proposal of immaculate white against the current of classic Egyptian inspiration which naturally evokes yellow gold.
AKH-BA-KA is this transcendence; a fascinating epic of a rough diamond that never stops transforming itself to become light.
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The rebirth of an extraordinary rough stone
The 110-carat diamond is a daring adventure that began in the Lucara mine in Botswana. The purchase of this extraordinary rough diamond was made by Ilan Messika, Valérie Messika's brother, during a very tender juncture, just before the 2020 lockdown.
Faced with a rough diamond of this class and size, a question of cut arose, demanding which shape to select? How many diamonds could be, and of what quality? All these questions animate the skilful work of the cutters. In his quest, the diamond dealer will first create a general scan of the stone using a highly sophisticated machine. This step makes it possible to meticulously map the entire gem and nearly draws the “DNA” of the diamond. This advanced information then guides the dealer in his choices. “This is where the real search for treasure begins,” as Ilan suggests.
The mapping of the modular composition is then proceeded by the moment of metamorphosis of this raw 110 carat gem into 15 cut diamonds. A meticulous endeavor, the precision of the work is inspired by the very nature of the rough diamond, dictating which shapes are to be adopted. Therefore, for this family of diamonds, while some have been conceived in more classic cuts such as the 33-carat diamond, others have less conventional and very inventive shapes. The epic of this stone continues when Valérie Messika decided to acquire all 15 diamonds.
The devotion and expertise of the diamond dealer have joined forces with the audacious instinct of the designer to bring this 110-carat rough diamond back to life in an incredible and unique High Jewelry set that makes a milestone in the history of the Messika Maison.
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A unique mastery for an exceptional necklace
To bring the best out of a 33-carat diamond, both vision and technical know-how based on exceptional craftsmanship are needed. The creation of Akh-Ba-Ka required more than 1,000 hours of labor, four to five full-time jewellers across 6 months with 800 paving diamonds for the setting of the 33-carat diamond. Sensational figures reveal the unique know-how of the Parisian workshops of the House of Messika.
To design this impressive necklace, the Masterpiece of the set, Valérie Messika and her team had to compete in ingenuity, meeting many challenges. As Nicolas Lodolo, Manager of the Messika workshop, explains, the first challenge “was to associate all the different pieces of the 110-carat rough diamond together by enhancing their shine without distorting them.” This family of diamonds of remarkable purity present very singular cuts with very sharp facets. An additional challenge was designing a piece of movement whilst maintaining an ethereal levity and feeling of near weightlessness. A point in question was the consideration of size when designing the mechanisms and link work. “The idea was to make the piece almost alive,” says Nicolas Lodolo. These innovations, therefore, sublimate the fall of the necklace for a style without equal.
Through ultramodern know-how, it became possible to amplify the centrepiece: the 33-carat diamond.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime diamond,” underlines the workshop manager. Fascination, concentration, pleasure are three words to define the emotional stages provided by this diamond of such incomparable purity. One must imagine all of the composure and the virtuosity of the gestures necessary to set such a stone. Through nearly any gesture in the process of creation, the stone chances loss in purity or appear deformed. To magnify this incredible gem, the master jewellers have carried out a singular setting work with a closely snug pave. This setting is based on an enveloping piece that is cushion shaped - a cradle of diamonds in the centre of which the incredible gem is nestled to perfection. This unique, soft and surrounding design highlights all the power and brilliance of the 33-carat diamond.
For this adventure in design, the Maison has multiplied the challenges by designing a transformable piece. The structure that cradles the 33-carat stone can be disbanded from the necklace to become a brooch. Yet another challenge brilliantly taken up by the master jewellers.
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Golden Shield
Golden Shield
Golden Shield
A set with solar radiance
Golden Shield is a journey towards the light - a solar and divine light - that radiates with grace from the power of gold. Composed of a contemporary choker, earrings with graphic geometric lines and lip jewelry, this daring set marks a return to yellow gold that is modern and inspired. The impressive necklace evoking the pharaonic finery was hand-made from a yellow gold plate. This exceptional work by the jeweller required long hours in the workshop to perfectly refine and curve this chocker until the gold was forged into form like a second skin.
A precious metal of excellence for the Egyptians, gold is divine and embodies the flesh of the gods. Unalterable, it is a symbol of life and a source of immortality. A message of eternity is reflected through the power of diamonds. The stones are set as if in levitation, thanks to an ingenious system of pendants.
Maison Messika has created an offbeat design for this set by playing on the planes and colour contrasts. The gold reveals all of its brilliance in a play of facets created by a mirror-polished effect that engages perfectly with the diamonds.
Divine Enigma
Divine Enigma
Divine Enigma
Mysterious Egypt
Divine Enigma is a hypnotic and mysterious set that plays on appearances. The set is available in two shades: the incandescence of yellow gold for a flamboyant look and the extreme brilliance of diamonds for a captivating wear in white gold. The two chokers magnify seven lines of gold in the centre of which are fixed two emerald-cut stones. The brilliance of the perfectly interwoven gems and these perfectly curved infinite lines create a nearly magnetic fascination towards which all eyes converge.
These multi-row necklaces also play with the symbolism of seven, a number that is considered one of power and spiritual strength across many cultures. Divine Enigma is also a set of transformation, where the two central stones of the Choker are transfigured to adorn as a double ring. The emerald cut adds a graphic and modern touch to the fascinating structure of this ring. The rings fade away to reveal the full power of the two stones. The two diamonds, as if in levitation, adorn the hand for a magical design effect in design.
Valérie Messika’s creations are highly structured pieces where the apparent rigidity of the lines gives way to the flexibility of movement for a supple wear. These transformable jewels play a score in three acts: a necklace with or without a stone for an assertive or more relaxed look, and a supernatural double ring for an added touch of sparkle.
This set also revisits the hoop earrings, an iconic piece of jewelry symbolising freedom. The designer magnifies rings, which at times are all gold or pavé, and dare an ultra-contemporary asymmetrical composition.
Jewelry as an expression
Breaking free from the codes of jewelry design and breaking genres, Move Iconica is a set of strength for mixed and liberated wear.
Like a natural echo of the famous Egyptian cartouches, the Move Uno pattern is endlessly available in a subtle combination of shapes. Valérie Messika twists her iconic pattern once again and imagines ever more innovative ways of wearing it. The opulent jewels of the set are designed like a supple and vibrant fabric in effect from high-flying link work. The pieces become a second skin to perfectly fit in motion across every movement.
To surpass oneself, to reinvent and constantly emulate inspiration is the art of the designer.
Valérie Messika composes proposals open to all; subtly imprinted with an indication of Egypt. This fascinating civilisation was at the forefront across many subjects of style. Men and women were equally adorned in majestic ornamentation beyond simple accessories and were an integral part of their wardrobes. A mix of wear that inspires the Artistic Director for a casual High Jewelry set to wear across everyday life and special occasions.
A protective eye
Valérie Messika's inspiration for amulet jewelry is highlighted here as a fashionable and contemporary reinterpretation of the Udjat, the eye of Horus. A protective symbol associated with the God Falcon in ancient Egyptian mythology, it is also an image of light and evokes the victory of good over evil. Oudjat is a protective set, enhanced by a 7-carat diamond, a talisman that is all-the-more magical. Available as a necklace, ring and bracelet, the Udjat motif is reborn in an inspired composition that outlines the main contours of this famous symbol. A proposal that goes to the essence of the form, to draw an ultra-contemporary eye where the diamonds radiate.
As a fashion accent, a subtle inclusion of black ceramic highlights the stylish pave eyelid, like a line of kohl. This polychrome set combines the strength of ceramic with the softness of rose gold.
This very ethereal set combines ingenious links for style that is ever in motion. The original sequence of stones which differ across size further reinforce this dynamic, adding an elegant rhythm to the pieces.
Beyond its daring design, Messika is always shaking up the codes across jewelry; a little more each time by the very nature of the pieces on offer. An ankle chain and hand bracelet complete this audacious set.