When Nirav Modi first visited the Biennale in 2014, he was immediately struck by the idea of exhibiting his own collection beneath the hallowed glass dome of Paris' Grand Palais. "I thought it was a great place to show high jewels," says the Mumbai-based designer.
Jewellery, and more specifically diamonds, run in Mr Modi's blood. He is a third-generation diamantaire, whose international upbringing - he was born in Mumbai and raised in Antwerp - lends his jewellery a seductive east-meets-west air.
Modi’s emphasis is on the diamond in all its breathtaking forms. In pieces such as his en tremblant ring, set with fancy yellow and pink diamonds, he combines the gemstone's rich Indian heritage with a modern, maximum-radiance aesthetic.
With ambitious plans to open stores across the world, the Biennale precedes the grand opening of Mr Modi's Bond Street store in London.
Where craft meet arts
The Boghossian look is also one where eastern influences combine with western. With one foot in the Middle East, the home of their ancestors, and one in Europe, this passionate Swiss family jeweller has developed a collection that unites exquisite craftsmanship with outstanding gems.
For Ralph Boghossian, the decision to participate in the Biennale was an obvious next step for the company, which has been trading gemstones and creating jewellery for six generations but only established its own house in 2008. "When the organisers asked us to join, it was natural for us to accept the honour," he says. "The Biennale is where crafts meets the arts.