Brilliant gemstones from around the world reflect the range of paint choices in Bentley’s model line-up
The yellows, oranges and pinks of Padparadscha sapphires and Mandarin garnets pay tribute to the distinctive glow of the Bacalar, while the enchanting violets, purples and blues of tanzanites are reminiscent of Bentley’s iconic Sequin Blue paint colour
The finest cutters, designers and setters at the centre of the high-end gemstone world share the exemplary skills and craftsmanship found at Bentley’s home in Crewe

he introduction of coloured gemstones into the Bentley Jewellery collection brings a new dimension to the exquisite luxury accessories treasured by discerning women around the world. The array of colours within the fine jewellery collection mirrors the rainbow of exterior paint colours available to Bentley customers.

The stunning precious coloured gems are selected, cut and polished at the Heinz Mayer factory, Bentley’s Jewellery partner, in the town of Idar-Oberstein, globally renowned as the centre of the high-end gemstone world. Highly skilled craftspeople create the fine jewellery to a standard that satisfies the most critical and demanding clients, their imagination can be translated into the beautiful shapes and hues of the decorative pieces.

The new use of colour in the collection parallels Bentley’s focus on the range of paint and finishes through which customers can personalise their car, or work with a team of specialists to imbue their new model with bespoke colours and materials of their preference. Like a rare coloured stone, paintwork can play a significant role in making a car a true reflection of personal taste and expression of personality.

Bentley’s famous Sequin Blue colour – inspired by a sequin from a blue dress – was devised in 1996 with a combination of pigments using blue mica. It is still a popular choice and an interpretation of  what nature supplies in the form of a tanzanite gemstone. This is a highly sought-after stone of violet-purple-blue colours whose only source at present is near Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania.

Even rarer among gemstones is the Padparadscha sapphire which varies from yellowish to orange pink and together with Ruby is part of the corundum group. The rarity and purity of the stone’s colour resembles the multi-faceted tones of Bentley’s Bacalar limited edition model of 12 cars, which was revealed earlier this year in Crewe. The paintwork also inspires comparison with a bright Mandarin garnet, a vivid orange also known as ‘fanta orange’. The gemstone is very rare and valuable and has been found in only a few deposits in Africa, notably in Nigeria and Namibia.

Maria Mulder, Bentley’s Head of Colour & Trim, says research indicates that there is a deep connection between colour and personal emotions. ‘Colour influences mood,’ says Mulder. ‘There are subtle differences that change every year within the palettes we use. The environment and the social circumstance in which we live also have an effect, so now we are seeing warmer tones, not the recent neutral tones or simply the black and white of the cars of the mid-1990s.

Just as with a coloured gemstone, it takes an expert to bring out the perfect hue. ‘Our ability to use paint to define the lines and shape of a car is the similar skill to that used by a cutter to transform a rough gemstone,’ says Mulder. ‘In its raw state a gemstone won’t show all of its potential beauty, but with an expert cutter, the fire and light in the stone comes out. Paint colour needs to retain its longevity just as the stones retain their colour. Our exterior paint colour will always have that purity and naturalness because the final coat will protect it.’

Historical Associations and Similarities

The gemstone history of Idar-Oberstein dates back to Roman times. The area surrounding the small town of Idar-Oberstein, located in the Hunsrück Mountains of the Rhineland-Palatinate in western Germany, has been the centre of the cutting and polishing of agates and other gem materials for more than 500 years.

Like the history of Bentley’s bespoke Mulliner division, which dates from the 1500s, Heinz Mayer has a deep and centuries-old connection to the gemstone history of Idar-Oberstein. It all started with Agate cutter Johannes Becker when he started the family business in 1599. So the roots of the two brands spread for almost 500 years through craftsmanship, experience and heritage.

As gemstone business in Idar-Oberstein started to rise, local merchants travelled the world to find the finest stones and sell their products to world’s finest jewellery retailer. Generation after generation of gemstone cutters and craftsmen would learn the skills passed down through their own family and add their own improvements and innovations.

In 1855 the Mayer family were among the pioneers that moved to Brazil to explore the new gemstone mines and send back the finest stones to be cut in Idar-Oberstein after the local mines were depleted. This led Idar-Oberstein to a new boom half a century later. The region had recovered and the industry was bigger than ever before.

The concentration of expertise and knowledge continues to develop. Idar-Oberstein is still one of the most important places in the world for gemstone cutters and jewellery manufacturers. New generations of gem cutters have developed some of the most advanced techniques and technology on the planet, helping the region to maintain its reputation as a leading force in the cutting of high-end precious stones.

The new addition of coloured stones to the Bentley Jewellery range will now offer customers another choice of adornment with which to express their personality. Just like Bentley’s use of paint colours and effects in its model range, coloured gemstones will add an emotional, exclusive and distinctive dimension to a form of personal luxury.

Precious stones being introduced into The Bentley Jewellery Collection include:

Red - Ruby and Tourmaline
Blue - Sapphire, Tanzanite, Aquamarine and Tourmaline
Green - Emerald, Tsavorite and Tourmaline
Orange - Padparadscha, Sapphire and Mandarin-Garnet
Prices : Prices for the Bentley Jewellery Precious Gemstone Collection start from €6000

Click here to find out more about the Bentley Jewellery gemstone collection