Clients in Paris for couture week also make it high jewellery heaven as the latest wonders are unveiled to them. None higher than Chopard’s suite of six adaptable pieces made from the flawless 840-carat Queen of Kalahari diamond, with five stones over 20 carats. Or the Coco Avant Chanel collection of delicate pink sapphires, grey moonstones and pearls, topped by a 1000-diamond collar with a 10-carat centrepiece.

Loosely knotted diamond bows, unusually set in mixed white and rose gold, bring Chaumet a new sensuousness. Jewellery watches make headlines - three unique pieces at Giampiero Bodino, the most spectacular centred on a huge cabochon emerald, and Boucheron’s tourbillon, its dial a mosaic of rough diamond “cobbles” with pavé ivy leaves.

In tough times, accessibility wins. Boucheron adds colourful hardstones to its Serpent Bohème range, as does Louis Vuitton’s Blossom collection while its smaller BB range in gold with scattered diamond drops has young clients in mind.

Versatility is also key for two exciting new arrivals – Cadar, where tactile, fluid gold and diamond motifs hinge, move and stack, and Dauphin where architectural pieces blend, stack and add. Modern jewellery makes the wearer creative.

Chopard

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chaumet

Giampiero Bodino

Giampiero Bodino

Giampiero Bodino

Boucheron

Boucheron

Boucheron

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Cadar

Cadar

Dauphin

Dauphin