Inspired by Paris’ cobblestones, Boucheron launched Quatre – a graphic and dynamic-thinking ring design – in 2004. Four different golds – yellow, pink, white and “chocolate” – were joined together to create one compelling piece that also featured four singular house motifs, the intricate Clou de Paris and a grosgrain mirror setting among them. The latter of which is said to recall the origins of the house’s founder, Frederic Boucheron, whose parents were clothmakers. It was he who decided to go against the grain (if you’ll pardon the pun) and take his fabric knowledge and apply it to the jewellery-making world. Some 150 years later and the rest of course is history, Boucheron now one of the legendary names that hails from Place Vendome.
Significant to Boucheron’s Quatre is the Clou de Paris technique, which is one that dates back to the 16th century, and used often among decorations in fine watchmaking. Boucheron decided to translate this element into jewellery and it became a favoured motif. The shape of the design is reminiscent of Paris cobblestones, which makes for the ideal wink to the heritage of the brand, one of the first jewellery maisons to set up shop on Place Vendome, the famous fine jewellery hub of the world.
Also featured in the design, which is now considered fairly iconic, is the double gadroon, an ornamental relief that has been part of the maison’s design since the end of the 19th century. Supposedly it was created by Frederic Boucheron himself and combines different gold rushes. The round shapes denotes eternity – a nod to the constant know-how and ability of the house to invent and reinvent. Meanwhile the mirror setting is meant to reference imagination, contemplation and a sense of reflection – because Quatre is meant to be the jewel of our inner journeys.
What is also notable about the ring design is its pointes de diamant, which brings a little sparkle. And, stacked over one another to create a single ring, the four shades and motifs are striking as a design, each ring hosting one of Boucheron’s signature motifs. Carine Roitfeld and Charlotte Rampling are known to be fans.
New to the Quatre family has been the Quatre White Edition, which was two years in development. A ceramic material, or “hyceramic”, that can be sculpted and embellished, it brings an agility to the design, and therefore evolves the magic of the Boucheron Quatre once more. The flawlessness of the white enhances the emblematic clou de Paris. Added to the diamonds and three colors of white, yellow, and pink gold, the ceramic ring brings a contemporary and high-tech feel.
There have also been further iterations: The Quatre Blue edition, the Bleu de Paris providing a burst of freshness; Quatre Red edition; Quatre Black; Quatre Radiant and Quatre Classique. In yellow or white gold, monochromatic and pavé diamonds, the Quatre Radiant line is the most graphic of all Quatre collections. Its proportions, style and simple lines are all a reminder of classic architecture aesthetics, which were one of Fréderic Boucheron’s favorite sources of inspiration.
