One thing starkly stands out about this new 240-piece collection – there’s almost a jarring mismatch in the choice of coloured gemstones put together.

Paris Haute Couture Week is typically a celebration of beautiful clothes but the Fall Winter ’18 show that drew to a close last week also saw a tribute to a particular collection of jewellery.

Cartier was the proud maison closing the week-long celebration with the launch of its new Coloratura high jewellery collection.

One thing starkly stands out about this new 240-piece collection – there’s almost a jarring mismatch in the choice of coloured gemstones put together. However, because of the skilled jeweller that Cartier is (with history and craft going back centuries) the result is still nonetheless beautiful – a kaleidoscope of style and shades in its mix of shapes, sizes and colour.

It combines the bold contrasts of Asia and the East, from the subtle palettes of Japan to the powerful shades of India and the animal tones of Africa, as a true testament to the very spirit of the collection: one of universal curiosity and openness to the world.

Here’s a closer look at some of the collection’s star pieces:

Cartier white gold, rubellite, tourmaline, chrysoberyl and diamond Holika ring

Cartier yellow gold, carved rubellite, chalcedony, chrysoprase, morganite, orange garnet, onyx and diamond Laterna necklace

Cartier white gold, emerald, spinel, mandarin garnet, turquoise, onyx and diamond Chromaphonia necklace

Cartier platinum, opal, tourmaline, tourmaline bead and diamond Matsuri necklace

Cartier white gold, coral bead, onyx and diamond Orienphonie secret watch

Cartier white gold, rubellite, chrysoberyl, blue tourmaline, pink tourmaline and diamond Holika bracelet

White gold, morganite, opal, pink sapphire and diamond Yoshino ring

Cartier white gold, spinel, spinel bead and diamond Kanaga necklace

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“All of them are Cartier colours, even if they haven’t been used before, because the Cartier style is so varied,” says Jacqueline Karachi, Cartier head of high jewellery design. “In the past we might not have mixed the colours like this, but now everything is possible. We will mix very valuable stones with less important stones because the effect of the colours is much more important than the question of value – the value is in the artistry. All gemstones are beautiful and it’s a pity not to use all of them.”

With pieces that celebrate the vibrance of India to the finesse of Japan, we don’t doubt it.

Learn more of the collection at the official website here.