This eerie piece of jewelry appears to contain a human face. It is inspired by Horae, the many-faced Greek goddess of the seasons. It is just one of a series of such pieces created by the Chinese artist Wallace Chan.
Mysterious gems —
This eerie piece of jewelry appears to contain a human face. It is inspired by Horae, the many-faced Greek goddess of the seasons. It is just one of a series of such pieces created by the Chinese artist Wallace Chan.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
Turning the gemstone creates a 3D effect, with the central head appearing to look in different directions on account of the construction of the precious stone.
Mysterious gems —
Turning the gemstone creates a 3D effect, with the central head appearing to look in different directions on account of the construction of the precious stone.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
The pieces are created using a special technique that Chan has termed the "Wallace cut". It took him 13 years to develop, and he is the only person using it in the world.
Mysterious gems —
The pieces are created using a special technique that Chan has termed the "Wallace cut". It took him 13 years to develop, and he is the only person using it in the world.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
It involves using a modified dentist's drill to carve inside the stone with a high degree of precision and power. This allows Chan to work with a level of detail normally inaccessible to jewelers.
Mysterious gems —
It involves using a modified dentist's drill to carve inside the stone with a high degree of precision and power. This allows Chan to work with a level of detail normally inaccessible to jewelers.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
Because the drill rotates at such high speed, it generates a great deal of heat that can damage the stone. To mitigate against this, Chan has developed a method of drilling under water.
Mysterious gems —
Because the drill rotates at such high speed, it generates a great deal of heat that can damage the stone. To mitigate against this, Chan has developed a method of drilling under water.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
The problem with working under water is that the liquid is disturbed by the drill, which compromises visibility. For this reason, Chan has developed a painstaking process of making one cut, drying the stone, checking it, and then making another.
Mysterious gems —
The problem with working under water is that the liquid is disturbed by the drill, which compromises visibility. For this reason, Chan has developed a painstaking process of making one cut, drying the stone, checking it, and then making another.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
The highly labor-intensive process may take a long time, but the end result is more than worth it. Chan's pieces are highly sought-after, and have sold for as much as $73.5 million.
Mysterious gems —
The highly labor-intensive process may take a long time, but the end result is more than worth it. Chan's pieces are highly sought-after, and have sold for as much as $73.5 million.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
Upon examination, it is not immediately obvious how Chan cuts into the jewels, as the surface of the gemstone is perfectly smooth.
Mysterious gems —
Upon examination, it is not immediately obvious how Chan cuts into the jewels, as the surface of the gemstone is perfectly smooth.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
This creates an air of mystery around the pieces. The faces seem to have appeared inside the stones by magic.
Mysterious gems —
This creates an air of mystery around the pieces. The faces seem to have appeared inside the stones by magic.
Courtesy of Wallace Chan
Turning the pieces over, however, reveals Chan's technique of carving into the gems from the back. This highlights his extraordinary expertise, as working in this way means that "right is left, up is down, and deep is shallow".
Mysterious gems —
Turning the pieces over, however, reveals Chan's technique of carving into the gems from the back. This highlights his extraordinary expertise, as working in this way means that "right is left, up is down, and deep is shallow".
Courtesy of Wallace Chan