Q&a / Lorraine Schwartz on her exhibition with Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter auction platform in Hong Kong and her favourite jewellery moments with Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie and Blake Lively – interview

Mar 27 , 2023

Lorraine Schwartz attends the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal, Dubai’s new ultra-luxury hotel on January 21, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Getty Images

Celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz arrived in Hong Kong this month to launch her ‘A Journey Through Gems’ private sale in collaboration with Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter platform

We sat down with the talented designer to learn more about her inspirations, decades-long friendship with the ‘Happy’ singer, and why she loves Asia and its culture

Celebrity jeweller Lorraine Schwartz has arrived in Hong Kong again – and this time with her long-time friend Pharrell Williams!

Lorraine Schwartz is a famous American jewellery designer. Photo: Handout

One of the first collaborators of Williams’ newly launched auction platform Joopiter, Schwartz has brought an impressive collection of jewellery and gemstones as part of their private sale, titled “A Journey Through Gems”. Online bidding runs until March 28, with a private preview having taken place at the same time as Art Basel in Hong Kong, per WWD.

Schwartz sat down with Style to discuss her decades-long relationship with the “Happy” singer, their creative journey and what makes her a celebrity favourite.

Can you tell us about your friendship with Pharrell? When he first invited you to collaborate on Joopiter, what were your thoughts?

Pharrell Williams with Lorraine Schwartz. Photo: Handout

Our friendship goes back over 20 years. He was one of my first clients when I started my brand and I met him randomly. He told me he was looking for a yellow diamond. I thought he was just some guy who came up who was super nice and smart, but that night I was watching TV and I was like, oh, was he at my office today? [Is he] in this video?

And then we started talking more about diamonds. It’s a friendship that is super close. I consider him my family. We have mutual respect and a love for what we do. When he did his Joopiter event, he started it for his collection. He started this auction platform and really talked to me and explained to me about how sharing ownership is very, very important too.

Lorraine Schwartz wishing Pharrell Williams a happy birthday in April 2021. Photo: @lorraineschwartz/Instagram