Editor’s Note
This article describes a 2019 exhibition by jeweler Honoka Kawazoe, highlighting the unique opportunity to view emeralds presented in their natural form. While the event has concluded, it serves as a reminder of the artistry involved in showcasing gemstones with minimal alteration.
An exhibition and sale of jewelry crafted by the “Emerald Hunter,” Honoka Kawazoe, was held at the Art Gallery on the 6th floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Store until Tuesday, May 21, 2019. This was a precious, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter one-of-a-kind emerald jewelry designed to showcase the emeralds in their natural, unaltered state as they were mined.
Ms. Kawazoe handles everything from selecting the raw emerald stones to production, not just the design. She first encountered emeralds while working on processing stones like onyx, lapis lazuli, and opal around the world. Captivated by the beauty of the vibrant raw emeralds, she joined an emerald rough stone import company in Tokyo upon returning to Japan. As a rare female buyer, she was involved in mining, polishing, and processing in the mountains of Colombia, South America, gaining a reputation locally as a capable buyer.
She later studied for two years at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) New York campus, a world-renowned gemological institution, while continuing to create works and obtaining her gemologist qualification. She created pieces utilizing raw stones she directly mined and purchased in Colombia, and her first solo exhibition held at a gallery in her hometown of Takamatsu City when she was around 30 was a great success.
Since 2004, she has established an atelier in Bali, Indonesia, and has continued to present jewelry combining emeralds she was involved in mining with gold, pearls, and other materials.
Her powerful lifestyle has also drawn media attention, and she appeared on the popular documentary program “Jounetsu Tairiku” in 2017. The exhibition and sale held at Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store in July 2018 was also well-received, with many women reportedly visiting from distant places like Tokyo.
At the “Honoka’s Emerald” event held at Isetan Shinjuku Store, over 100 one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces were exhibited. The emerald jewelry, which fully expresses Ms. Kawazoe’s unique personality, possesses a beauty and energy distinct from other jewelry.
At the exhibition and sale held at Isetan Shinjuku Store until May 21, numerous exquisite emerald jewelry pieces crafted by Ms. Kawazoe were displayed and available for purchase on the spot. Here are some examples:
– Ring “碧の音 (Aonone)” Emerald 25.3ct ¥4,104,000
– Ring “Dark side of the moon” Emerald 50.05ct ¥4,104,000
Not just rings, but various types of emerald and gold jewelry such as brooches and necklaces were also available. The natural coloration of each emerald, with its varying shades and brilliance, seems to remind one of the original formation when the jewelry was born.
Why not experience the profound charm of her works, which allow you to feel the power of nature?
– Venue: Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, 6th Floor = Art Gallery
– Period: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 ~ Tuesday, May 21, 2019 ※Ended
– Address: 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
*Prices of featured products include tax.