Gucci Forays into High Jewelry

RAPAPORT... Luxury fashion house Gucci has made a move into high jewelrywith the inauguration of its first boutique and a collection by creativedirector Alessandro Michele. The store, which is dedicated exclusively to jewelry,opened on July 2 in Paris's historic Place Vend??me, and will display the new HortusDeliciarum collection. The line features more than 200 pieces, mainly one of akind. Each item was made in Italy and is centered around one of three themes:eternal love, the animal kingdom and solitaires. Examples include a 30.30-caratopal, which has been hand-carved into a coiled serpent ring, flecked withdiamonds. While Gucci already sold fine jewelry, this is the firsttime it has branched into higher-value pieces. The new pieces are pricedbetween EUR 50,000 and EUR 800,000 ($56,129 to $898,065), a spokesperson forthe brand confirmed. The brand's move into high jewelry comes a day after itsparent company, Kering, opened another store in the French capital's PlaceVend??me. Kering's Chinese fine-jewelry brand, Qeelin, unveiled its new boutiquein the historic square on July 1. Image: The new Gucci store in Paris. (Gucci)