Important Jewels Favourites with Dr Chantel Thornton

If I had not been a surgeon, I would have loved to have been a buyer of vintage and antique Jewels. When I wear jewellery I love to wear big bold statement pieces and unique pieces. Jewellery is a fashion accessory but also can have deeply personal significance and really tell a lot about an individual’s style and personality!

I love bold, unique pieces I think mainly because in my profession as a surgeon, it is very difficult for me to wear jewels. Jewellery is restricted to a bare minimum in the operating theatre, so when I can wear it, I want it to be special and for it to make a statement.

When I was studying abroad at the University of Hong Kong, on the weekends I enjoyed attending auctions of important and unique Jewels. I was a student and could not afford to purchase any pieces, but was always overwhelmed by the craftsmanship, the decorative details and the vivid hues of the special and unusually large gemstones.

Living in Asia introduced me to a whole new world of jewellery and appreciation for unusual designs. It was also wonderful to see women and men wearing their significant pieces with ease on a daily basis.

Here are my five favourite pieces from the August Important Jewels collection:

This is a bold statement necklace. Yellow gold is very fashionable at the moment. And Cartier always makes beautiful quality pieces with unparalleled design. They have always been the leaders of change and their designs are collectable and never out of style.

Lot 55
An impressive sapphire, argyle fancy pink diamond and diamond ring
Estimate $150,000-180,000
It speaks for itself. I love anything impressive! The Argyle diamonds are beautiful, and my favourite colour is pink. Given that the Argyle mine has closed, and it will be accompanied by a significant restoration of the natural ecosystem and preservation of the cultural heritage of the land and will support the return of the land to the traditional owners, I think any diamond from the Argyle mine sits in a special pedigree. It is part of Australian history and a reminder of what a beautiful country we live in and allows us to appreciate the natural resources we have. Argyle diamonds are in limited supply and highly coveted. The sapphire is big, bold, and blue! The colour is spectacular. As a new mother to a baby boy I think a blue sapphire would be a perfect addition to my collection!

– July 2021