JNA Mar 2020

品牌 JNA Mar/Apr 2020 | 39 All jewellery pieces by Gellner P earl jewellers with decades of expertise in the field are embarking on a journey of reinvention all in the name of giving the pearl a more contemporary appeal. Take Germany’s Gellner GmbH & Co KG for instance. For more than 50 years, the company has been producing beloved jewellery pieces adorned with Tahitian or South Sea pearls. But with buyers’ preferences constantly evolving, some of its designs have likewise progressed. In February last year, Gellner’s “Stars in Heaven” ring won an accolade at the International Jewelry Design Excellence Award of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The piece, embellished with a Tahitian pearl centre gem in 750 rose gold and blackened stainless steel, previously earned first place at the Inhorgenta Award in 2018. A jury member at Inhorgenta described the ring as a “real trendsetter for pearl jewellery of the next generation.” Innovation is a critical design factor now more than ever, according to Jörg Gellner, CEO of Gellner GmbH & Co KG. One of Gellner’s highly sought-after collections, Rendezvous, is a successful reinterpretation of a classic design: The pearl drop necklace. What sets this new design, Rendezvous Petite, apart from the competition is its smaller, more delicate appearance, which is very feminine. The pearl drops, which come in sizes of 10mm to 11mm, are further accentuated with diamonds. In response to high gold prices, the jeweller likewise offers a few lightweight pieces such as a hollow ring with a retail price of € 1,400 (around US$1,557). A solid ring would otherwise sell for € 2,000 (around US$2,225) at retail. Selling pure pearl strands has become more challenging now since these pieces are often more conservative and not as favoured as they used to be, according to Jörg. Despite having more progressive designs, the company still puts a premium on classic pearl jewellery since traditional, timeless pieces still have a following, he added. “The market may not be the same as before as there’s just not enough demand for classic pieces but I still think that there should be a lovely pearl necklace in every jewellery box. It’s still a fantastic piece to wear in very special occasions,” he stated. Apart from Tahitian and South Sea pearls, Gellner also uses nucleated freshwater pearls. Since its inception, the company has built a solid customer portfolio in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. “We try to make collections that can stay active for as long as possible,” noted Jörg. “For instance, our diamond necklaces introduced 15 years ago are still popular. We can also change the size of the pearl, or tweak the style a bit, but not too often. It’s important that pearl jewellery is enjoyed and loved for a long period of time.” Stars in Heaven ring Castaway bracelet Wave ring and Rendezvous pendant