Sculpted by Light – Cartier’s Ice Cube Haute Joaillerie

The Maison enriches its Haute Joaillerie capsule introduced in 2024 to reinterpret its iconic cube with daring proportions, modular versatility, and sculptural brilliance. From statement necklace to versatile pin, via luminous bracelets and other jewels, these creations embody a modern, architectural spirit.

“Ice Cube has always represented purity and precision,” says Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard. “But here, we pushed its language even further – into volume, movement, and expression. I wanted the pieces to feel wearable yet unexpected, like modern art for the body.”

A bold, transformational collection centrepiece

At the heart of the collection lies a one-of-a-kind modular necklace, composed of articulated cube rows in a mix of ethical rose and white gold. Nine rows in total create a dynamic silhouette, which can be removed in sets of three to suit the moment. This modular design nods to the stacking nature of Ice Cube rings and bangles, but with fluidity, scale and a commanding presence. Across the necklace, two different cube sizes and heights add further dimension, some mirror-polished while others are paved with diamond brilliants, applied in alternating rhythms to evoke a sense of movement.

Sparkling skyline silhouettes

Bracelets and a multifunctional pin echo the collection’s architectural codes through cubes of varying heights, in a nod to a city skyline where towers of glass and steel shimmer under shifting light. These pieces conjure the energy of a megacity at sunrise, their mirror-polished surfaces gleaming like sunlit windows. Executed with precision, this effect demands exceptional savoir-faire, as polishing uneven surfaces is a rare skill mastered by few, and even more rarely achieved in-house.

Crafted with the same meticulous attention, three new bracelets are available in three- or six-row variations, in ethical rose or white gold, either partially or fully diamond-set. The pin, offered in matching metal and setting options, brings a bold, gender-fluid versatility, designed to be worn across lapels, collars, ties or even hairstyles.

Refined Art Deco geometry

A hallmark of the Art Deco era, the Asscher cut finds bold new expression in two standout creations. A ring reprises the collection’s iconic multi-band shape, featuring an impressive 3-carat Asscher-cut diamond placed diagonally across two parallel bands of 18-carat ethical white gold set with diamond brilliants.

Echoing this architectural elegance, a pair of earrings features 1.2-carat Asscher-cut diamond solitaires, each backed by a fluid line of 14 diamond-set cubes. The latter can be removed on one or both sides, allowing for asymmetrical or more minimalist styling.

In both creations, the octagonal lines of the central diamonds, paired with the graphic construction of the surrounding cubes reinforces and extends the clean, structured geometry that is a signature of the Ice Cube collection’s aesthetic.

A new, reflective chapter Sculpted by Light

In 2024, Chopard reinterpreted its iconic cube motif into a first capsule collection crafted by its Haute Joaillerie atelier. Since then, Bella Hadid has embodied the Ice Cube spirit as the face of the Sculpted by Light campaign, shot by Charlotte Wales. In this latest chapter, she brings the new Haute Joaillerie creations to life against a dreamlike cityscape; a backdrop that mirrors the collection’s exploration of architecture, geometry, reflection, and self-expression.

“I’ve been a longtime admirer of Chopard given their gorgeous craftsmanship and commitment to sustainability. Their designs are so empowering and always give me a sense of confidence whenever I’m lucky enough to wear one of their pieces” says Bella Hadid.

True to the Maison’s values, the new Ice Cube designs are crafted from 18-carat ethical gold, aligning with Chopard’s Journey to Sustainable Luxury – as are all the watches and jewellery produced by Chopard since July 2018. The mirror-polished cubes refract the world around them, with an intensity that belies their apparent simplicity. Subtle variations within and across pieces highlight the Maison’s exceptional technical mastery. Achieving such flawless finishes and intricate diamond settings on uneven miniature surfaces is a feat only few can accomplish.

These are Ice Cubes that don’t melt – but they do dazzle!

Photos: CARTIER / ©Fédéral Studio