Chopard’s newest high jewellery revelation marks the next chapter in its illustrious jewellery odyssey, intertwining two captivating narratives. The first is its continued collaboration with Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts, whose infectious personality and style have given its collections an inimitable allure. Second, the realisation of the Insofu emerald, acquired by the maison in 2018, imbuing the latest creations with a sense of history and significance.
The journey began with the discovery of the jaw-dropping 6,225-ct Insofu weighing 1.22kg in Zambia’s Kagem mine. Recognising its potential, Chopard acquired it in its raw form and enlisted expert emerald cutters from India to unlock its unique character. Named after the Bemba word for elephant because of its impressive size and shape, it embodies Chopard’s dedication to celebrating nature’s most exquisite treasures.
The stone underwent cutting both in its Geneva workshops and Jaipur, the birthplace of Indian jewellery traditions, to reveal its innate splendour. This inspired Caroline Scheufele, the maison’s co-president and artistic director, to envision a landmark collaboration worthy of its significance. She turned to Julia Roberts, a joyful presence in the maison since 2021, and deemed her as the perfect partner for this adventure. Roberts served as the face of Chopard’s Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds campaigns before becoming a global ambassador for its women’s jewellery and watch collections.
“Caroline immediately caught my attention when she told me the story of the exceptional Insofu emerald. It was such an exciting challenge when she proposed we work on a bespoke design. Together, we’ve had a lot of fun bringing this set into reality, creating jewellery that’s beautiful, sustainable, and mixes the timeless allure of the emerald with stunning colours and a stone that I really cherish, the turquoise,” says Roberts.
Christened the Chopard x Julia Roberts capsule collection, the parure comprises a ring, necklace, and earrings set with emeralds cut from the Insofu. Mingling avant-garde execution with heirloom aesthetics, the collection skillfully contrasts vibrant hues, merging the emerald’s vivid green with cherry red rubellites and turquoise—a gemstone Roberts has worn throughout her life. The bold colour palette evokes the rich cultural heritage of Indian jewellery.
Chopard x Julia Roberts capsule collection
Each piece is made from Fairmined-certified ethical rose gold, aligning with Chopard’s commitment to sustainable luxury. The Insofu emerald also exemplifies this commitment, as its journey from raw stone to final creation was painstakingly tracked, ensuring responsible sourcing and transparency.
Working with Roberts on this capsule collection has been an unforgettable experience for Scheufele. Through years of collaboration, they have developed a strong relationship marked by open communication and mutual respect. “Collaborating with Julia on this capsule collection has been an incredible journey. From the moment we discovered the Insofu emerald, we knew it was a gem that would inspire greatness. This parure is a testament to that inspiration, a fusion of our shared passion for beauty, elegance, and responsible luxury,” she says.
