In the jewellery world, some icons take after animals, while others are shaped by myths and symbols that transcend time. Then there are the pieces that break entirely from tradition, defying conventions with designs so ahead of their time, they become timeless.
Few designs exemplify this more than Boucheron’s Point d’Interrogation (or “Question Mark” in English) necklace, a creation that redefined high jewellery when it first appeared 145 years ago. Born from a desire to liberate women from the rigid confines of fashion, the necklace’s asymmetrical design was revolutionary for its time and remains a hallmark of Boucheron’s daring legacy.
Boucheron's Question Mark necklaces from the 1880s
The first sketch, dating back to 1879, envisioned a necklace that could be worn effortlessly. No clasp, no fuss—just a clever hidden spring blade that gave it unheard of flexibility and freedom, a feat of craftsmanship achieved by assembling countless tiny parts. This invisible mechanism set a new standard for high jewellery design.
The world quickly took notice. Awarded the Grand Prix at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, the Point d’Interrogation swiftly became the darling of the world’s elite. From Russian royals to American titans of industry, everyone wanted a piece of this Parisian masterpiece, even though only around 30 were made at the start.
This year, Boucheron’s Creation Studio has transformed the necklace to new heights with a daring reversible design. Inspired by a special commission for American tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1884, the reversible necklace, conceptualised by CEO Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, propels the house’s forward-thinking spirit into the future. After years of development, Boucheron’s artisans perfected a mechanism that allows the piece to flip seamlessly in a single motion, combining heritage craftsmanship with modern innovation.
The new Goutte Question Mark necklace comes in three colour variations red, green, and blue. Each features nine sugar-loaf rubellites, tourmalines, or tanzanites with a single pear-cut gemstone. Metallic foils amplify their colours. Diamonds and rock crystal add further brilliance, while custom-cut rock crystal gleams on the reverse, accented with pavé diamonds. Even the choker reflects the maison’s attention to detail, with diamonds set on both sides and along the edge—a fitting tribute to a 145-year-old icon entering a new era.
