Saif Ali Khan breaks the brooch barrier with a Rs 42 lakh ruby-diamond, proving jewellery has no gender

No one in Bollywood can match the nawabi taste of Saif Ali Khan; he has truly become the epitome of the quiet luxury aesthetic, with his suave and charming looks stealing hearts since day one. The actor is often spotted in relaxed-fit ensembles, but his accessory collection exudes an elegant, royal flair like no other.

As they say, you can take a nawab out of his palace, but you can’t take the nawabi taste out of him. Saif Ali Khan proved this true with his recent outing, which included a stunning, sparkling piece from Tiffany & Co. that cost him around Rs 42 lakh and instantly became the highlight of the evening.

The Bollywood actor made a rare appearance before the paparazzi with his wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan, where the duo sported all-black looks. But it was Saif’s hefty brooch that caught our eye. He broke the monotony of his all-black look with this statement piece - the Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock brooch, a design so legendary and extremely rare. It comes with a fascinating history and is known for its jaw-dropping price.



More than a cuckoo bird
This stunning platinum piece in 18k yellow gold features a bird set with 71 white diamonds and a solid pink sapphire on a rectangular base. It also has a 15-carat modified yellow diamond rock and was designed in 1965 after the designer witnessed a yellow cockatoo, which inspired him to create this iconic piece.


This creation is an homage to the jewellery label and captures the fascinating vision of the artist. Known for his love for voyages and exploration, the designer often encountered rare birds during his travels to the Caribbean and Asia, which inspired him to bring this vision to life and express his fascination with nature.

The piece is crafted using high jewellery setting techniques, where everything, from the motion of the feathers to the diamond placement, is done by hand in abstract patterns, creating an intricate play of light. For nearly two years, the House’s renowned designers studied the anatomy of birds in motion, understood their avian form, and then placed the platinum, yellow gold, and diamonds.


The piece took more than eight people’s labour and was brought to life over a span of around 50 hours. Schlumberger’s signature includes intricate wirework techniques that demand exceptional craftsmanship, elevating his creations from classic jewellery to something truly celestial.