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Combining the tales of two legends, the 55.55 necklace is just one of the high jewellery pieces that pay homage to the iconic heritage of the house
Mesmerising, creative and beyond covetable: behold the 55.55 necklace. This high jewellery piece by Chanel is a sparkling ode to the legend that is N°5—a fragrance that has embodied the very essence of femininity since its debut in 1921. Supported by a high jewellery collection dedicated completely to the allure of the fragrance, the 55.55 high jewellery necklace amplifies the desirability and heritage of the house of Chanel.
Patrice Leguéreau, the director of the Chanel Fine Jewelry Creative Studio, famously said, “the number five is a mystery, and that is its magic.” On May 5, 1921, Chanel’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel launched the N°5 fragrance—although perceived by many as having no name at all—the name was inspired by her favourite number and intended to have universal meaning. In numerology, the number five means “freedom” and Chanel hoped for it to become something of a lucky charm.
The piece is an apt reflection of the progressive creativity of Chanel and incorporates her trailblazing spirit, N°5’s boldly floral bouquet presented an incredibly sensual sillage—the olfactory trail created by a perfume—that was unlike anything else available. That disruption continued into the French high jewellery arena too, starting with Chanel’s Bijoux de Diamants collection in 1932, which pioneered new ways of wearing jewellery while redefining desirability. Fast forward a century, and Chanel has once again harnessed that audacity and creative genius to craft high jewellery inspired by the eternal fascination surrounding N°5.
At the heart of the 55.55 high jewellery necklace is an exceptional gem that serves as an emblem of divine fragrance. Leguéreau envisioned a gemstone of exceptional calibre, one that would encapsulate the magic of N°5. The result is a bespoke, 55.55-carat diamond, a masterpiece that perfectly echoes the essence of the iconic perfume. The necklace is more than a stylistic exercise, though; it echoes the union of N°5’s spirit with the finest jewellery materials. Its harmonious emerald-cut shape, symbolic 55.55-carat weight and exceptional D FL quality grade all bear testimony to Chanel’s unwavering commitment to perfection and technical mastery. Every detail, from the profile of the stopper to the cascading pear-cut diamonds, is a nod to the concentrated bouquet and trail of N°5.
