Editor’s Note
This article announces the upcoming “Gimel Exhibition” at Wako in Tokyo, celebrating the brand’s 50th anniversary. The event will feature a special commemorative brooch.
Wako will host the “Gimel Exhibition,” allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Gimel, which celebrates its 50th anniversary, from Thursday, September 12th to Wednesday, September 18th at the Seiko House Hall on the 6th floor of Seiko House. Wako has been offering permanent sales of Gimel at its main store since 2013. For this Gimel Exhibition, a special piece has been prepared: a brooch featuring rice ears, where briolette-cut yellow diamonds shimmer in a golden hue, embodying the theme of “Bountiful Autumn.” Additionally, the exhibition will feature a collection of jewelry brimming with Gimel’s charm, including a maple leaf brooch with exquisite color gradation and a conductor and violinist brooch inspired by an autumn concert, adorned with sapphires.
Japanese jewelry is characterized by designs imbued with a “delicate” sensibility and the polished skill of “meticulousness.” Please enjoy the beautiful, soul-transparent brilliance of jewelry created by the Japanese high jewelry brand “Gimel,” which is praised as both art and craft.
“Gimel,” beloved worldwide for its jewelry that colors the beauty of nature through the seasons, established its atelier in 2003 in a nature-rich location in Okuike, Ashiya City. Brand founder Kaoru Akihara went to the United States in 1972, studied gem identification, appraisal, and design at GIA (Gemological Institute of America), and started a diamond import company in 1974.
Ten years later, she began crafting jewelry herself. Participation in “Baselworld,” the world’s largest jewelry and watch trade fair, became the catalyst for Gimel’s works—a fusion of Western jewelry techniques and Japanese aesthetics—to gain worldwide recognition. The global auction house Sotheby’s has listed Gimel as one of the “innovative and influential jewelers of the 21st century,” bestowing the praise of “jewelry that will remain 100 years from now.” Gimel’s jewelry is renowned for its pavé setting, beautiful color gradations, beauty on both the front and back sides, and playful, meticulous designs. Each piece is carefully crafted from start to finish by a single artisan, making them works that can be described as both fine art and craft.
Rice Ears Brooch: ¥9,900,000 (tax included). Size: Approx. 5.7cm x 4cm. 18K Yellow Gold, Yellow Diamonds, Demantoid Garnet.
Red Dragonfly Brooch: ¥3,850,000 (tax included). Size: Approx. 4.2cm x 2.9cm. Platinum, 18K Yellow Gold, Rubies, Diamonds.
Green Maple Brooch: ¥13,200,000 (tax included). Size: Approx. 5.4cm x 3.8cm. Platinum, 18K Yellow Gold, Yellow Diamonds, Diamonds, Demantoid Garnet, Sapphires.
Yellow Maple Brooch: ¥16,500,000 (tax included). Size: Approx. 5.4cm x 3.8cm. 18K Yellow Gold, Platinum, Yellow Diamonds, Diamonds, Rubies.
Red Maple Brooch: ¥6,050,000 (tax included). Size: Approx. 5.4cm x 3.8cm. Platinum, 18K Yellow Gold, Spinel, Diamonds, Sapphires.
Orange Maple Brooch: ¥9,900,000 (tax included). Size: Approx. 5.4cm x 3.8cm. 18K Yellow Gold, Platinum, Yellow Diamonds, Diamonds, Mandarin Garnet, Rubies.
The maple brooches express the fleeting expressions of nature from summer to autumn through Gimel’s signature color gradation in the leaves. This Gimel Exhibition marks the first time these pieces are displayed in this size with a complete color variation.
A talk event will be held featuring Gimel Art Director Kaoru Akihara and Nobuyuki Harada, Representative Director of Jewelry Advisor & Gallery.
Reservations & Inquiries: Wako Main Store, 2nd Floor Jewelry Square. Tel: 03-3562-2111 (Main).