Diamonds that rock

PLANETARY alignments were auspicious this weekend, allowing luxury house Louis Vuitton to bring two of the largest diamonds in the world for a showcase at Capella Singapore. The 549-carat Sethunya and the 1,758-carat Sewelô are displayed side-by-side in what's described as a "yin and yang" of rare finds.

The former is a crystal-clear stone of exceptional lustre and clarity, while the latter is a rough diamond coated with a thin layer of carbon. Both were discovered at Lucara's Karowe diamond mine in Botswana in recent times.

The showcase also boasts 90 jewellery pieces, including Louis Vuitton's latest designs by the esteemed Francesca Amfitheatrof. Titled Stellar Times, the Amfitheatrof collection is inspired by the galaxies and planets of the universe, including earth. Stones such as emerald and sapphires are used to evoke the green and blue hues of the earth, while rubies and spinels may recall images of Mars.