Fabergé

So here's the thing about Fabergé - most people hear the name and immediately think "those fancy Russian eggs," and yeah, they're not wrong. But there's way more to this story than just bejeweled Easter gifts for tsars.

In 1882 Peter Carl Fabergé took over his father's jewellery business, and basically transformed what was a pretty ordinary jewelry shop into something that would become synonymous with luxury itself. The guy had this vision - instead of just piling on diamonds like everyone else was doing at the time, he brought color back. Vibrant gemstones. Hand-engraved enamel work that required insane levels of skill. The celebrated series of 50 Imperial Easter eggs was created for the Russian Imperial family from 1885 to 1916, and each one was more elaborate than the last, containing hidden surprises inside.

But here's what makes Fabergé interesting in 2025: they're still around. After the Russian Revolution shut everything down in 1917, the brand basically disappeared for decades. Then it got bought and sold multiple times - at one point it was even used to sell perfume and cologne (Brut, if you can believe it). In January 2013, Fabergé Limited was sold to the gem mining company Gemfields for 142 million new shares in Gemfields plc, with a value of $90 million.

Today's Fabergé creates contemporary jewelry that still channels that original spirit. Set in 18k gold, their collection of ruby, emerald, sapphire and diamond fine jewellery creations draw inspiration from historical masterpieces. They've got boutiques in London's Piccadilly Arcade, Dubai, and a few other spots where you can actually see these pieces in person. And they're not just resting on their heritage - they've done collaborations with Game of Thrones, James Bond, even Rolls-Royce.

The price point? Well, let's just say these aren't impulse purchases. But they do offer a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects on all jewellery and objets, and you can return your online order for a refund within 30 days of receipt. They also provide complimentary worldwide shipping, which is kind of expected when you're spending that much.

What's fascinating is how they've managed to keep the craftsmanship angle alive. The guilloché enameling technique they use - where they hand-engrave patterns into metal before applying translucent enamel - is basically a lost art that very few houses still practice. Each piece takes weeks or even months to create.

And those egg objets? They still make them. Limited editions, one-of-a-kind commissions, collaborations. Some open to reveal surprises inside, just like the originals. It's this weird intersection of museum-quality artistry and wearable jewelry that somehow works.