Dehres: Get to know one of Hong Kong’s top brands

September 16, 2019

By Katerina Perez

4 min read

The House of Dehres is a globally recognised brand which supplies unparalleled diamond and precious stone jewellery, and I had the pleasure of viewing their booth and meeting the founder at the GemGenève exhibition earlier this year. The Hong Kong-based jewellery company serves as the extension of the Zion family’s gemstone trading business. At the core of this renowned brand lie its family values: showing kindness and generosity, while displaying professionalism and excellence. Even the company name is an acronym of the names of the family members: Daniela, Ephraim, Hannah, Ronen, Erez and Simon – symbolising unity, strength, and a shared passion of redefining luxury jewellery.

Dehres was founded By Ephraim Zion in 1985 – a time when the purchasing power of precious stones had been declining for several years, as a result of recessions since 1981. This did not stop Ephraim though; instead of freezing his business, he decided to plough a new furrow, and create investment grade jewellery for collectors and selected buyers alike. He purchased state-of-the-art facilities in Hong Kong and hired master craftsmen from Switzerland and France to run them. The first pieces are recalled by the family as “breathtaking – and unlike any other jewellery of the same stature at the time.”

Dehres ‘Lady Blue’ necklace with 10 Sri Lankan heart shaped sapphires totaling 96ct, pear and marquise cut diamonds totaling 41.50ct, and ‘Lady Blue’ ring with a 15ct Sri Lankan heart shaped sapphire and 5ct diamonds

Dehres ‘Lady Blue’ necklace with 10 Sri Lankan heart shaped sapphires totaling 96ct, pear and marquise cut diamonds totaling 41.50ct, and ‘Lady Blue’ ring with a 15ct Sri Lankan heart shaped sapphire and 5ct diamonds

 Dehres necklace with Mozambique greenish blue tourmaline, weighing 7.50 carats, 6ct  Brazilian paraibas and 28.30ct diamonds, and ring with 6.80ct Mozambique tourmaline, 0.75ct Paraiba tourmaline, and 2.70ct diamonds

Dehres necklace with Mozambique greenish blue tourmaline, weighing 7.50 carats, 6ct Brazilian paraibas and 28.30ct diamonds, and ring with 6.80ct Mozambique tourmaline, 0.75ct Paraiba tourmaline, and 2.70ct diamonds

 Dehres ‘Red Velvet Ruby Ribbon’ bracelet with 70 pear and oval cut rubies totaling 82ct, and 124 alternatively set diamonds totaling 42.57ct

Dehres ‘Red Velvet Ruby Ribbon’ bracelet with 70 pear and oval cut rubies totaling 82ct, and 124 alternatively set diamonds totaling 42.57ct

At the heart of all Dehres jewellery lies rare colourless and coloured diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and Paraiba tourmalines – a whole variety of collectable gemstones. “Although we were initially diamond manufacturers, about 30% of our jewellery has featured coloured stones from the very beginning. If I see a gem and find it beautiful, I can’t resist it,” Ephraim explains to me.

Dehres ‘Electric Aqua’ necklace with 60ct unheated oval cut Paraiba, 1.30ct fancy purplish pink to fancy pink diamonds, and 73.50ct of oval, marquise and pear cut colourless diamonds

Dehres ‘Electric Aqua’ necklace with 60ct unheated oval cut Paraiba, 1.30ct fancy purplish pink to fancy pink diamonds, and 73.50ct of oval, marquise and pear cut colourless diamonds

At the moment, he is extremely fond of Paraiba tourmalines. In his current collection, he has several of these treasures, including a 59 carat unheated oval cut Paraiba pendant hung on a spectacular diamond necklace. It is almost impossible to find another like it in the market today. As I became personally acquainted with the founder of Dehres at the GemGenève exhibition, I also paused to admire their jewellery; which often tells me more about its creator than the creator can themselves. The structures of the luxurious necklaces, the lively wide and narrow bracelets, earrings, pendants and studs, as well as all kinds of rings, are primarily based on the timeless principles of classic designs. However, these are far from commercial jewellery pieces with simplistic diamond pavé accents. The look of the jewellery is laconic but with a twist: variations of stone cuts are effectively incorporated, their shades contrasting with one other, and the stones themselves positioned at unusual angles to each other.

Dehres 'Red Cabochon Diva Necklace' with 57ct no heat Burmese rubies, and pear, marquise and round brilliant diamonds totaling 40.10ct

Dehres 'Red Cabochon Diva Necklace' with 57ct no heat Burmese rubies, and pear, marquise and round brilliant diamonds totaling 40.10ct

We have 2 senior and 2 junior designers here in Hong Kong, as well as designers in Paris. We give them some ideas as well as exceptional stones to work with and then ask them to give us whatever comes to their mind. It is a collaborative process, says Simon Zion,  the company’s Executive Director and son of Ephraim.

Dehres rings, (top) with 5ct Zambian emerald, 4ct pear shape fancy yellow diamond, and 560 fancy yellow diamonds totaling 3ct, and (bottom) with 4.40ct Zambian emerald, 4.40ct diamond, and 639 accenting diamonds totaling 3ct

Dehres rings, (top) with 5ct Zambian emerald, 4ct pear shape fancy yellow diamond, and 560 fancy yellow diamonds totaling 3ct, and (bottom) with 4.40ct Zambian emerald, 4.40ct diamond, and 639 accenting diamonds totaling 3ct

You may have already noticed that all Dehres crafted jewellery is decorated with stones which are exclusive on the jewellery market. Even within industry circles, this company is said to own the most impressive collection of exquisite precious gems. With regards to investment, Ephraim Zion shares his expertise saying, “many people buy our jewellery for investment or capital preservation, and recently the demand for blue and green diamonds has increased along with their prices. However, unlike stocks or bonds which can guarantee a certain amount of returns, the prices for diamonds and precious stones are subject to economic changes. Therefore, one might experience slowdowns, or even price drops, and that’s why, in my mind, diamonds are capital preservation: you keep them for a few dozen years and the value will most likely increase. If you try to buy a diamond and expect a profit after 1 or 2 years, then that’s a bad decision.”

Dehres necklace with 124ct cushion cut Sri Lankan royal blue sapphire, 1.60ct antique cushion cut diamond and 59.50ct accenting diamonds in pear, marquise and round brilliant cuts

Dehres necklace with 124ct cushion cut Sri Lankan royal blue sapphire, 1.60ct antique cushion cut diamond and 59.50ct accenting diamonds in pear, marquise and round brilliant cuts

 Dehres ‘Scarlet Rose’ ring with 5ct radiant shape fancy vivid pink diamond and trapezoid cut diamonds totaling 1.30ct

Dehres ‘Scarlet Rose’ ring with 5ct radiant shape fancy vivid pink diamond and trapezoid cut diamonds totaling 1.30ct

 Dehres ‘Splendour’ chandelier earrings with 60 diamonds totaling 29.70cts

Dehres ‘Splendour’ chandelier earrings with 60 diamonds totaling 29.70cts

Dehres does not have its own boutiques, but rather private showrooms in Shanghai, Bangkok, and Vancouver with their headquarters in Hong Kong’s prestigious ‘Landmark.’ One thing that really sets Dehres apart from its competition is the service. The dedicated Zion family members and their team provide you with a phenomenal shopping experience filled with education, security, and a great sense of joy and excitement. If you want to see all the best Dehres jewellery in one place, you are invited to make an appointment for viewing at one of their exclusive showrooms or, alternatively, you can visit them at the next installment of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

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