CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel’s signature "architectural form" stems from the influence of Cindy’s grandfather, architect Mr. Hsieh Tzu-Nan. From a young age, Cindy was trained in spatial thinking, which allows her to view her jewellery through the lens of an architect, crafting pieces with intricate structure and depth.
The 2013 Black Label Masterpiece VIII "Fish Brooch" is a standout creation from Cindy Chao’s Ocean Series, perfectly embodying the brand’s "architectural form." It has garnered recognition from royalty and is considered a masterpiece. The brooch’s centrepiece is a 31.18-carat round brilliant-cut Colombian emerald, surrounded by nearly 6,000 white diamonds and sapphires, set into a titanium body crafted using a combination of lost wax casting and wax carving techniques. Cindy Chao’s meticulous exploration of titanium’s properties is on full display, as she introduced hidden mechanisms that allow the fish’s fins to flutter gracefully. Each detail, from the fish’s lashes to the texture of its smiling face, was sculpted to convey emotion and character, fulfilling the highest sculptural standard of "lifelike expression."
The brooch’s thin, titanium fins are anodised to outline their delicate edges, enhancing the three-dimensional quality and creating a sense of fluid movement. In 2016, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, the British Royal Family published a limited-edition commemorative book, THE QUEEN AT 90, highlighting brands that exemplify royal values and heritage. CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel was featured in a four-page spread, lauding the brand’s exceptional artistry and craftsmanship, with the “Fish Brooch" singled out as a prime example of its achievements.
