Jewelry lovers leave no stone unturned

MANILA, Philippines - Among the clusters of matrons in frothy florals and substantial handbags, a few of the city’s elite mingled and mixed and shopped for jewels. Here, Birkins greeted Celine totes with passing air kisses, barely making contact before broaching a hello with a Givenchy Antigona or a Tod’s clutch. Purses were opened, checkbooks emerged. Jewelry passed hands.

The famous Dizon siblings, of the clan Jul B. Dizon, were celebrating another anniversary. Janina Dizon-Hoschka, bearing her signature stingray pieces and playful jewelry, was garbed in yellow. Ria Bolivar lounged about the Edsa Shangri-La ballroom in a black sheer top. Underneath a black bra was visible, above jewels. Candy, Lucille and Ginny Dizon, sisters in law garbed in muted black, presented dragon-themed pieces. A magnificent silver and sapphire-bedecked dragon clasps a white South Sea pearl in jaws. It’s a cuff modeled after what appears to be the intricate moldings of a Chinese pagoda.

“For our 34th anniversary, we decided to go a little oriental and at the same time celebrate the year of the Dragon with our collection,” Candy Dizon revealed. “We created a number of special pieces using precious stones such as spinel, sapphires, turquoise, citrine and diamonds. All our dragons are hand-crafted and took months to finish.”