The beauty of John Hardy jewellery doesn’t only come from its brilliant sheen, but also its story: the handcrafted pieces are inspired by the essence of nature and the wonder of fable.

“John Hardy is a luxury brand of handmade designer jewellery that reflects a synergy of designers and artisans to create objects of beauty in an environment of respect for people and for the natural world,” John Hardy CEO Damien Dernoncourt outlines on the company’s website.

The jewellery has, since 1989, been a stylish feature on the elegant necks, wrists and fingers of women — and indeed, men too — the world over, making the luxury line arguably one of the most sought after in the sphere of contemporary jewellery.

International cognoscenti of The Rock have long bought into the allure of John Hardy, and finding pieces locally is as simple as visiting the city-chic Bijoux, where the able Anup Chandiram and his team are ready to assist.

“John Hardy is a fashion-forward brand worn by celebrities worldwide,” says Chandiram, who drops names like designer Donna Karan, supermodel Angela Lindvall and Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, ahead of mentioning that they’re all John Hardy devotees.

It’s little wonder, then, that John Hardy is Bijoux’s best-selling jewellery brand.

“We’re increasing our investment in John Hardy,” adds Chandiram, “and by the second week of December we would have installed special furniture made of wenge wood, bamboo and glass to showcase the pieces.”

The display will also feature state-of-the-art LED lighting to flatter the pieces’ beautiful lines and intricate details.

It’s a move endorsed by John Hardy exec Fabrizio Cocchiano.

“Bijoux is probably one of our very first accounts,” Cocchiano shares. “This relationship has developed into a great business for both companies.”

“Today, Bijoux continues to move forward with John Hardy and will soon be one of the first accounts to represent us with a corner.”

Chandiram says the line, which releases Spring and Fall collections each year, appeals to the discerning femme because of its understated elegance — “bold, but never flashy”.

The boldness perhaps stems from the Balinese art of jewellerymaking, as the styles were once reserved for the noblemen of ancient Indonesian society.

The folklore of this ethos, Chandiram tells S O, continues to influence the post-modern look of John Hardy.

“Nature is a strong motif within the collections, and inspires some of the pieces,” Chandiram notes, alluding to the Bamboo Collection.

The tree-like grass is important to life in the Orient and is often used to convey beauty, strength and versatility. There is, too, the simplicity of the Kali Collection, which means ‘river’ in Balinese and features pebble-like designs.

Animals are as much a part of the John Hardy cosmology as plants, and one need only look to the exquisite Palu Macan, which means tiger.

“The animal conveys courage, passion and triumph,” says Chandiram alluding to the pieces which often feature stripes similar to those of the big cat. The Naga Collection pulls inspiration from the mythical dragon where links are likened to beautiful scales and gold burns as bright as fire.

“The cosmic dragon is found in most ancient cultures and symbolises life force,” Chandiram quips.

The allure of legend, paired with the economic appeal, makes the brand all the more special, shares the Bijoux boss.

“John Hardy is very affordable and with the price of gold hitting US$14.50 an ounce last week, silver is a great option,” Chandiram says.

The expert salesman’s passion for the line is almost palpable as he continues.

“We are indeed happy about our association with John Hardy,” Chandiram shares. And if Cocchiano’s words are anything to go by, the feeling is reciprocated.

He not only attests to Chandiram’s passion for the luxury brand, but says, “Bijoux is a destination store in Kingston and thanks to their customerfriendly service and dedication, they have helped in positioning John Hardy as a leading brand in Jamaica.”

And like the fine jewellery John Hardy crafts, Cocchiano is confident that the link between the companies will remain golden.

“Our continuous efforts in creating unique designs while maintaining a sustainable business model has allowed us to limit our distribution and focus our attention on the best retailers, such as Bijoux,” he says.

“This recipe has been working well for both companies and I am sure that we have a bright future.”