On Friday, April 27, the Department of the Environment will conduct a test to measure the noise reduction levels of anti-noise barriers recently installed in Fontvieille.
Starting at 6 am, a loudspeaker will broadcast continuously over a period of 15 to 30 minutes a standard sound called “pink noise”, similar to that of a torrent or a waterfall. Acoustic measurements will be made on both sides of the protective panels.
“We strive to reduce nuisances to the maximum and are constantly looking for new devices that can help reduce them,” said Jean-Luc Puyo, Director of Urban Planning (DAU).
Valérie Davenet, Director of the Environment, added: “To accurately evaluate the effectiveness of these noise barriers, it’s important to perform this test very early in the morning, in an environment without any noise pollution.”
These “green wall” sound barriers were installed by the DAU at the same time as road works on Quai Jean-Charles Rey. Their goal: to reduce noise pollution that can impact residents, port users and passers-by.
In the second part of this interview, industry insider Antonio Cecere, Principal of Cecere Monaco and Founder of Monaco Diamond Exchange, talks about his experience at Baselworld 2018 with a focus on jewellery.
ML: How was Baselworld this year and what are the highlights in haute joaillerie? AC: In high-end jewellery, Graff is renowned for creating unique pieces that are set to become timeless classics. The foundation of Graff remains that of acquiring important diamonds and this year they will be cutting and polishing the 1,190 carats Lesedi La Rona, the largest gem-quality rough diamond discovered in over 100 years. Their vertical integration, from rough to retail, defines this jeweller and “puts them in control of their own destiny” as Francois Graff, CEO, recognised during Baselworld 2018.
This year the brand unveiled a collection of jewels featuring the Graff Bow. Showcasing multiple layers of diamonds and vibrant coloured gemstones, they are intricately designed and set to appear as if the strands have been tied by hand.
Graff sapphire and diamond Bow necklace featuring a 21.61 carats cushion shape sapphire (Sapphires 89.12cts, Diamonds 31.69cts)
The seamless hand-tied effect is the result of a close collaboration between Graff’s design team and master craftsmen and achieved by setting sculpted rows of tapered baguette diamonds alongside pavé diamonds, which curve and undulate to create a life-like bow. The result is exquisite: sculptural yet fluid and delicate.
Graff Bow open diamond necklace (Diamonds 18.46cts)
ML: This year de Grisogono had their 25th birthday, how did they celebrate it at Baselworld? AC: Naturally, this is an important anniversary for the Geneva-based brand and they set up an exhibition that took visitors through the creative process of Founder and Creative Director Fawaz Gruosi, who was present at the event. A white oversized ribbon on a red carpet indicated the path to follow; we were guided through the jewels and explained the stimuli that inspired the designer: “I think in Volumes, I design in Light, I imagine in Colours.”
De Grisogono exhibition for the 25 years anniversary at Baselworld 2018.Inspirational vitrines at the de Grisogono exhibition at Baselworld 2018.
Fawaz Gruosi created the first Allegra ring from his inspiration of free-spirited and ambitious young women, and named the collection after Allegra, his oldest daughter and muse. The Allegra Collection symbolises joy and exuberance, passions and desires: it is the first de Grisogono Fine Jewellery collection. Alternating polished and gemset bands, it’s emblematic of an aesthetic that is apparently simple, yet its structure is in fact complex and demands technical mastery in the making.
De Grisogono Allegra Classic Earrings in 18K pink gold set with 446 colorless diamonds (8.60 Ct). Allegra Classic Ring in 18K pink gold set with 210 colorless diamonds (5.44 Ct)
The Millefoglie Collection is a joy of technical knowhow and sheer imagination achieved by layering slim strips of gold hemmed with diamonds – at once united and yet independent from each other. Each motif is mobile and the movement of one sweeps the others’ into the dance: a gentle geometrical effect playing on symmetry and asymmetry.
De Grisogono Millefoglie Earrings in 18K pink gold set with 480 colorless diamonds (12.50 Ct). De Grisogono Millefoglie Ring in 18K pink gold set with 131 white diamonds (4.50 Ct)
Melody Of Colours is a collection of unique creations that is rich in details, opulent in materials and lavish in colours: a testimony of the mastery of the Maison de Grisogono. The Geneva jeweller is renowned for blackening gold with rhodium to form a distinctive backdrop for the most surprising stones.
De Grisogono Melody of Colours Bracelet in 18K white gold set with 1 mint-green tourmaline (20.37 Ct), 562 Paraiba topaze stones (40.15) and 1001 tsavorites (33.22 Ct)
ML: Which other brand in haute couture jewellery made a mark this year in your opinion? AC: Jacob & Co designed a set of earrings set with Morganite, which is quite an original choice. Morganite is a variation of the Beryl mineral, like aquamarine or emeralds. It was originally named after the financier J.P. Morgan (an important gemstone collector) by Kunz, chief gemmologist of Tiffany & Co, when a rose variation of the mineral was first unearthed in 1910 in Madagascar.
Jacob & Co’s earrings boast over 100 carats of the sought-after stone, divided between four exquisite pair-shaped Morganite stones surrounded by over eight and half carats of pear shaped colourless diamonds. The captivating size and quality of the stones, combined with the craftsmanship required to bring them to life, render the Morganite earrings unique.
Jacob & Co Morganite Earrings in 18K white gold set with morganite (100.23 carats) and colorless diamonds (8.61 carats)
In the Jacob & Co fine jewellery collections, I was enticed by the Infinia Collection available in three variations: rubies, diamonds or emeralds. The marquise shaped gemstones are combined in a circular motif creating a three-dimensional effect and are adorned with round shaped colourless diamonds.
Jacob & Co Infinia earrings in 18K white gold set with marquise shape emeralds (10.00ct) and round shape colorless diamonds (6.97ct). Jacob & Co Infinia ring in 18K white gold set with marquise shape emeralds (8.54ct) and round shape colorless diamonds (5.69ct)
This year, the New York-based brand paid homage to the bees as an understated symbol of wisdom and courage with the Abielle Collection. A sculptured version of the noble creature is detailed with rubies, yellow and blue sapphires of striking intensity; invisible setting offers continuity in the colour while colourless diamonds add sparkles to the wings.
Jacob & Co Abielle Bee Brooch in 18K White Gold with rubies (7.69ct) and diamonds (0.66ct). Jacob & Co Abielle Bee Brooch in 18K White Gold with yellow sapphires (5.20ct) and diamonds (0.60ct). Jacob & Co Abielle Bee Brooch in 18K White Gold with blue sapphires (7.72ct) and diamonds (0.62ct)
ML: You mentioned invisible setting, who in your opinion makes great use of this stone-setting technique? AC: Stenzhorn, the German house founded by the Stenzhorn brothers in 1979, continues to evolve the concept of invisible setting. Their vision, ability and skill set in cutting precious gemstones for this setting technique is unparalleled; this is the reason behind the choice of Cecere Monaco to collaborate with this luxury house in the Principality of Monaco.
Stenzhorn Noble Ones, The Chrysanthemum necklace in 18k white gold set with 2,818 rubies (53.45ct) and 1,407 colourless diamonds (9.20ct)
The Noble Ones collection is a perfect example of their mastery. It was inspired by ancient Chinese symbols of the four seasons depicted as flowers: orchid (spring), bamboo (summer), chrysanthemum (autumn) and plum blossom (winter). The workmanship in this invisible setting is extraordinary.
Stenzhorn Ovidio necklace in 18k white gold set with 666 blue sapphires (86.80ct) and 246 colourless diamonds (10.30ct)
The boundaries of invisible setting, a technique that Stenzhorn clearly masters, are further pushed in the Ovidio collection; it is inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, which recites: “I intend to speak of forms changed into new entities.” I am always fascinated when I see hard elements like stones and metals become, through ingenuity and technique, soft to the touch and gentle to the eye.
Antonio Cecere studies the flexibility of the invisible setting of the Ovidio necklace. 2. Stenzhorn Ovidio necklace in 18kt gold set with 251 colourless diamonds (14.20ct) and 606 rubies (65.50ct)
ML: Which designer most impressed you for creativity and storytelling? AC: Alessio Boschi is not just a jeweller; he is an artist who uses metals and stones to tell a story. His stories are never simple, but rich in details, opulent in materials, boundless in aspirations. The first piece by the Italian designer I ever held in my hands was the unique Flames Rubelite Ring from the Naturalia collection: Alessio opened a small door on the side of the setting and suddenly I was inside this oversized ring; an angel made of gold and mounted on a spring was living inside that marvellous cave, lit by the light shining through the 28 carats rubellite mounted at the top.
Alessio Boschi Flames Rubelite Ring in 18k gold set with rubellite (28.38ct), colourless diamonds (0.39ct), black diamonds (0.07ct), tsavorite (0.39ct), yellow sapphire (0.96ct), blue sapphire (0.98ct), and orange sapphire (1.74ct)
ML: At Baselworld, you also met with the Director of Corporate Communication of the Gemological Institute of America. What was your meeting about? AC: I met with Stephen Morisseau of GIA to discuss some aspects of diamond testing. GIA is the leading laboratory for diamond certification and Monaco Diamond Exchange has as primary role to regulate the afflux of synthetic and conflict diamonds into the mainstream market, working alongside Kimberley Process and World Diamond Council.
During our meeting Stephen showed me the GIA iD100 tester, a tool that identifies in under 2 seconds natural diamonds from synthetic (HPHT and CVD) lab-grown diamonds. The shared aim is that to reassure the consumers that technology is supporting them when they purchase a diamond to ensure that it is a natural mined gemstone. Monaco Diamond Exchange provides free testing for its members for both mounted and unmounted stones so that they can purchase in confidence.
The team working on Tumour Hypoxia and Metabolism at the Monaco Scientific Centre, supervised by Dr Jacques Pouysségur, CRNS Emeritus Director of Research, has been presented with a cheque for €140,000 by GEMLUC, the Group of Monaco Businesses in the fight against cancer.
GEMLUC, founded in 1973, raises funds from companies and individuals that are distributed in grants for clinical and basic research, scholarships for young doctors who want to specialise in research and care against cancer, cancer care and prevention materials, and support for local cancer care associations. Nearly €1.2 million have been distributed since 2014.
The internationally renowned CSM research team in the field of hypoxia and tumour metabolism is looking for new potential anti-cancer targets through genetics. The research focuses on pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive cancers for which medicine is failing.
GEMLUC’s endowment will fund a research programme aimed at blocking one of the defence mechanisms of the cancer cell and thus making it more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Signature of partnership agreement in the presence of Prince Albert, Robert Calcagno, FPA2’s Bernard Fautrier and Xavier Sticker of M2PA. Photo: Michel Dagnino
The Oceanographic Institute and M2PA – the Association for the Sustainable Financing of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas – signed a partnership agreement on Friday, April 13, with the priority objective of financing an environmental fund for Mediterranean protected areas.
A pioneer in the field of discovery and conservation of marine environments, the Oceanographic Institute continues, as it has done since its founding in 1906, to promote, love and protect the oceans. Under this new agreement, €0.05 for every ticket sold will be donated, representing an annual contribution estimated at more than €30,000, thanks to the 650,000 visitors that the Oceanographic Museum welcomes each year.
The Oceanographic Institute will also spearhead an international network of aquariums and zoos working for marine protected areas in the Mediterranean, including Genoa, Tunis, Valencia, Banyuls, and Basel. This initiative will include exhibitions, educational activities, and communication campaigns.
The Directorate of the Environment has published its 2018 report on the environment in Monaco, continuing the practice that has been in place since 2009. The goal is to make the available data disposal to everyone.
The report contains quantified details on the following areas: energy, waste, climate, air quality, water management, the marine environment and biodiversity.
The Environment Department also explains environmental issues. It presents the data, their evolution over time and interprets them in terms of the standards set or the policies implemented. It is therefore a reference for all, neophytes or specialists, who wish to have clear and objective information about the various facets of the environment in the Principality.
