Dior explores the hidden secrets of the Palace of Versailles

Dior presents "Dior à Versailles, pièces secretes," its latest high jewelry line celebrating the Versailles Palace, an endless source of inspiration for the French label ever since the first Christian Dior haute couture collection.

 For this latest offering, Creative Director of Dior Joaillerie Victoire de Castellane opens the doors to the palace's private passages and hidden boudoirs with creations and colors channeling an air of mystery.

After focusing on decoration and detail in the Versailles Palace in 2016, then its legendary gardens last year, Victoire de Castellane is now exploring the mysteries of the royal palace. Exploring Versailles behind the scenes, the designer delves into all the palace's secrets, from romantic intrigue to royal passions.

Comprising 36 exceptional creations, the "Dior à Versailles, pièces secrètes" collection includes jewelry pieces with remarkable mechanisms, crafted by Paris's greatest fine jewelry ateliers and inspired by jewelry of the past. Several rings open up to reveal secret compartments for precious keepsakes or have secret sliding drawers. A diamond also pivots on its axis to reveal another stone underneath.

"I wanted chiaroscuro stones, faded pinks, more purple reds, iridescent moonstones, deeper sky blues," says the creative director. "The colors themselves seem a little mysterious, like silks."

The collection includes necklaces, rings, earrings and watches in white gold, yellow gold and pink gold, with diamonds, beryls, emeralds, rubies, rubellites, spinels, tanzanites, sapphires and opals.

Standout pieces in this Dior Joaillerie collection include the "Vanité Emeraude" necklace in yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, emeralds and color-change garnets, the "Cachette Tiroir Diamant" ring in rose gold and diamonds, and the "Vanité Pierre de Lune" earrings in white gold, diamonds, moonstones, sapphires and pink sapphires.