KC Concepcion points women to “what’s next,” as she unveils her debut precious jewelry collection dubbed as Avec Moi.
By Alex Y. Vergara
KC Concepcion’s love affair with fine jewelry didn’t happen overnight. In fact, her late grandmother Elaine Cuneta, a big fan of precious, but quirky-looking jewelry pieces, used to chide her celebrity granddaughter for not wearing a single piece of bauble during many of her earlier TV appearances.
Or if she did wear jewelry then, KC opted either for faux or chunky costume jewelry pieces. Her Lola Elaine had to constantly remind her that the money she was spending on dozens upon dozens of so-called fancy but virtually worthless jewelry pieces would have been better spent on a more selected collection of “investment pieces” consisting of the genuine article.
“There were times when I had to say sorry to my lola on camera because I wasn’t wearing any jewelry at all,” KC shares. “I knew that when I get home, she’d get mad at me.”
But once KC decided to fully embrace precious jewelry a few years later, it was only a matter of time before she became passionate about it. She’s become so passionate, in fact, that unknown to many of her fans and even good friends, the actress has been quietly working with some of the country’s seasoned jewelers on a debut collection of precious jewelry pieces since early last year.
Made of 14K and 18K yellow, rose and white gold and encrusted with precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, green agates, onyx and mother of pearl, KC calls her fine jewelry line, which she unveiled recently in an exclusive launch at the Manila House, Avec Moi, the French phrase for “with me.”
“I personally designed and helped create these pieces. I’m not endorsing or lending my name to anyone. The entire line is all mine,” she clarifies.
Pointing to a number of pieces she’s wearing to this interview, KC shares with us that they’re not part of her debut collection, but were given to her by her lola. The loving act between grandmother and granddaughter became the inspiration behind her jewelry line’s brand name.
“When I wear my grandmother’s pieces, she’s with me wherever I go,” KC explains. “That’s also what I want others to take away from my brand. Whoever gives the jewelry to you or whomever you give it to, you give her or she receives a piece of you. It’s that personal.”
Instead of tapping established jewelry stores to carry her collection, KC has opted to do private shows to feature her pieces. Since they’re fine jewelry, prices range from $1,000 to $2,000 a piece, she says.
“Every piece is numbered,” she adds. “They’re not something that can be mass produced. And since they’re all mostly done by hand, no two pieces will ever be exactly alike. I’m also open to special orders. Prices would depend on the look, number of stones and the materials you want.”
To prepare for her latest endeavor, KC sat down with a number of Filipino gemologists who also happen to be family friends. Apart from reading voraciously about the subject, she underwent informal one-on-one sessions with some of the best in the business.
Her earlier education in fashion history, one of the subjects she took up while in studying art appreciation in Paris, also provided her with a clear understanding and confidence to channel influences from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods.
“When I was living in Paris, one of my first encounters with precious and expensive jewelry pieces was with Cartier’s panther collection,” KC shares. “I was impressed and awed at the same time because the brand’s designers were able to create and shape almost anything using diamonds and other precious gemstones.”
Since her debut collection inspired mostly by the rose won’t be her last, KC is seriously considering of enrolling next year at the Gemology Institute of America in California. She chose the rose as the central theme of her collection because “I’ve always had an affinity for roses, especially blush ones.”
“Like show biz, which is in my blood, my love for jewelry is something I probably can’t escape,” she says with a chuckle. “All the women in my family love fine jewelry. They gave me my first lessons in jewelry. And when you look at a piece of jewelry, you can somehow tell what kind of woman wears it.”
While her grandmother had a quirky collection in keeping with her “extroverted” personality, her mother, none other than Megastar Sharon Cuneta, is partial to classic and conservative styles. KC, who’s drawn more to romantic and chic, feminine styles, is somewhere in between.
From Sharon, KC eventually learned the rudiments of critiquing stones. During one of their casual talks sometime ago, KC still remembers what her mom shared with her about diamonds. Although size does matter, it isn’t the sole criterion in determining a diamond’s true value.
One of Sharon’s gifts to KC when she turned 18 was a piece of jewelry made of pink and white diamonds.
“The measure of a diamond’s value is in its quality and rarity,” says KC, quoting her famous mom. “She then went on to point to a single pink diamond, which she said was more valuable than the three white diamonds beside it.”
Like her lola before, KC is also encouraging today’s women, especially those with growing influence and disposable incomes, to level up by investing on pieces that through time not only appreciate in value, but are also beautiful and for keeps.
“Precious or not, these things are all about fashion,” she admits. “But as you become more successful, you’ve probably already traveled extensively and own a collection of high-end designer bags. So, what’s next?”
