Ahead of the UAE’s National Day celebrations, jewellery house Piaget has created a special new Sunlight pendant for the region.
The new piece is exclusive to the Middle East and features tones of white and green, echoing the colours of the UAE flag. In addition, the green was chosen for its association with good fortune, fertility and peace. The sun motif, meanwhile, pays homage to the region's eternal sunshine.
The first Sunlight jewellery collection was launched in 2017 to salute what the company describes as the "life, brilliance and joy" of sunshine, and to capture the "radiance, optimism and lively spirit" of light.
Like the other Sunlight pendants, it takes inspiration from our nearest star, captured in a central disc, surrounded with bursts of sunrays. Made in 18K rose gold, it is covered in 147 white diamonds (about 2.33 carats) that fill the central space in a snow setting.
Invented by Jaeger-LeCoultre, a snow setting is a technique that involves mixing stones of different sizes together, in a painstaking and difficult process. The result should feel charmingly random, rather like the way snow falls (hence the name) while leaving as little metal exposed as possible.
Piaget has also used the "camaieu" technique, where different shades of the same colour are used to give the piece radiance, allowing for a subtle shift of light to dance across the surface.
Around this disc, sunrays made of white diamonds and 22 emeralds (0.32 carats) fan out to create overlaying triangles around most of the pendant. Only the top is left unadorned, to offer a visual pause and allow space for the chain. The pendant is 30mm by 32mm.
It joins the other pieces in the family, in a range of colours, from white diamonds to green malachite and yellow gold, and even white opal with rose gold.
Founded in 1874, Piaget is a high jewellery house known for its bold use of colour and for the ultra-thin watch movement that lies at the heart of its Altiplano collection that launched in the late 1950s.
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
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Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tomorrow 2021
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It
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How do Sim card scams work?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
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The specs
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The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
