A Night Of Water & Fire

Jeweller Hans Brumann is known for introducing new gemstones each year in shows that have become much anticipated in the industry. This year’s gala on November 9 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, dubbed Azure and Amber, showcases his latest tanzanite jewelry pieces as well as a show featuring the fashions of Cambodian designer Romyda Keth.

 Azure is for the deep blue-purple of Brumann’s newest gem of choice, tanzanite. Named after its country of origin, tanzanite can only be found in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro in North Tanzania, Africa. These luminous blue gemstones are said to be one thousand times rarer than diamonds. Discovered in 1967, tanzanite has recently been declared in the official birthstone list as the new December birthstone, a list which, until now, has remained unchanged since 1912. Brumann’s collection is done in association with Tanzanite One, which is involved in mining and selling the rough gemstone, and The Tanzanite Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides education on tanzanite and enables funds from the selling of the gems to be used for the improvement of the Tanzanian community.

Brumann’s innovative designs feature tanzanite set in classic yellow and white gold, as well as less conventional materials such as mother of pearl, white coral, and kamagong to highlight the gem’s unique qualities.

Amber is taken from the name of Keth’s shop, Ambre. She believes that the goldish hue, the smell, and the allure of amber is what represents a woman. Keth, a Cambodian who grew up and later studied fashion in Paris, blends the sophistication of haute couture with the exotic appeal of her Asian background in her work. Producing thousands of designs in a year, the prolific designer has shops in the world’s fashion capitals such as Paris, Singapore, Saigon and Tokyo. Her newest shop opened last October in Makati, bringing her unique designs to Manila’s most fashionable.

Tanzania’s Maasai people believe that the color blue is sacred and spiritual. In their culture, only women blessed with fertility may wear the color. Hence, tanzanite has become a symbol of motherhood, prosperity, auspicious beginnings, and new life. Brumann and Keth’s joint venture likewise promises to be a celebration of new ideas and fresh takes on classic beauty.

Azure and Amber showcases a union of flowing blues and fiery golds, a marriage of modern and classic, and a meeting of East and West, in Hans Brumann and Romyda Keth’s offering of beauty and elegance.