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Masters of Dreams is an insight into 13 of the world's most esteemed jewellery houses

Peek inside world famous jewellery houses

8.8 k views | Posted September 23, 2013 | By India Nicholson• Staff Journalist

A new documentary explores the intriguing world of jewellery through an intimate look at the artistry and craftsmanship behind 13 iconic jewellery houses.

Diving into the secret and magical world of legendary Italian, French, Swiss, English, South African and American jewellery brands, Masters of Dreams is a behind-the-scenes view at the sheer magnificence of the industry.

From spying on the creative process to watching an item being manufactured, this four-part series captures the development of some of the most extraordinary designs to grace the fashion and art world. The styles, inspirations, metals, precious stones and vast creative approaches are all addressed in the 52-minute episodes.

The four-part documentary is a French Connection Films production

Divided into different geographical regions, the series provides a glimpse behind the closed doors of brands such as Bulgari, Chopard, De Beers and Boucheron.

The Italian Jewellers
The first chapter features Italian jewellers that have cultivated the art, beauty and excellence of jewellery-making over many generations.

First of the major jewellery houses to let in the camera and the rest of world is Bulgari. The film follows the company’s director of gem acquisitions, Lucia Silvestri, and the rest of the team as they acquire a 165-carat sapphire, which is turned into a US$10 million (A$10.6m) necklace.

Next in line is Damiani and the design process behind a collection based on the film Burlesque. Diamonds are purchased in Antwerp and designers set to work to create a dazzling and bewildering set of jewellery pieces.

Buccellati takes its inspiration from Italian architecture. Fabrics as fine as lace and designs that are bold and beautiful adopt the company’s creator, Mario Buccallati’s, love for irregular and rare pearls.

The French and Swiss Jewellers
French fine jewellery dates back to the 18th century and the French Empire, boasting sophistication and a distinctive style.

Chaumet's Josephine tiara

The process of the Dreammaker collection, which includes 2200 precious stones, is undertaken by French jewellery house, Boucheron. Thierry Robert, Boucheron’s “stone hunter” searches for a perfect watermelon-coloured tourmaline and has it cut for a necklace in an intrinsic, unusual way.

Chaumet continues its long-standing tradition by creating a tiara. Set with baguette-cut diamonds, the piece is unveiled – after technical challenges – at the Grand Palais.

At Chopard, a 65-piece Red Carpet collection is conceived in lieu of the 65th Cannes Film Festival. A necklace comprising 22 heart-shaped diamonds with a supple structure poses many challenges for creative director Marc Couett.

The English and South African Jewellers
Since the Middle Ages, England, and particularly London, has been a major hub for the world’s oldest jewellery houses.

A 151-carat engraved emerald is among the ensemble at Graff Diamonds. Dubbed the king of diamonds, Laurence Graff, shows his passion for the craft by opening the doors to his workshop.

De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company, guides viewers around Kimberly, South Africa. The Imaginary Nature collection and its signature diamond necklace with detachable brooch is presented to the company’s best clients in Paris during Fashion Week.

Stephen Webster, a young jewellery house by comparison, is known for creating custom jewellery for celebrities. Masters of Dreams follows the creation of a dragon-shaped brooch, inspired by tattoo artists.

Hans Stern shows his precious stone collection from Brazil

The Jewellers of the Americas
Jewellers often combine foreign techniques and traditions learnt while travelling with their own heritage and vision when inventing something new.

Guy Bedarida, the creative director for brand John Hardy, creates a stunning 18-carat gold dragon-shaped necklace with detachable pearl. Inspired by Indonesian art, it is manufactured in Bali using ancient techniques.

In Rio de Janeiro, H. Stern, an immigrant who left Germany as a child, was one of the first jewellers to use semi precious and precious Brazilian stones. Some pieces at H. Stern are worth more than US$10 million (A$10.6m) and are worn by celebrities such as Angelina Jolie.

Fulcio di Verdura, an Italian aristocrat and former employee of Coco Chanel’s, founded a jewellery house in New York. When he passed away in the late 1970s, he left 10,000 sketches behind. Verdura was taken over by Ward Landrigan, who brought these sketches to life.

To conclude…
Masters of Dreams takes a tour around the world, peering into some of the most iconic jewellery houses throughout history. It brings light to the heritage of the brands, as well as the processes undertaken to compose their luxury jewellery. Viewers can witness first-hand the way in which dreams, innovations and imaginations are brought to the fore.