What visitor of the world-famous medieval city of Bruges in Belgium has not came across a small jewellery shop named "Peter Quijo Design Jewels", in the very heart of the city? Since 1946 this shop has been synonymous to unique creations effectuated with the greatest of skills. Actual proprietor Peter Quijo, son of founder Fernand, has developed a keen interest in jewellery from a very young age. When he came into the business, some 44 years ago, he steered the family shop into a new direction: the personal creations.
Peter wanted to put his stamp on the international jewel market by working out a very own recognisable style and succeeded with verve. He saw things big, entered several international design competitions and came out as overall winner more than once. He made precious creations using gold and diamonds mixed with not obvious materials such as ebony wood. In 1998 he put his most ambitious project on the stocks: for the 50th anniversary of the shop and as a tribute to his father he created his very own shape of diamond. Inspired by the cobblestones that pave the streets of his native Bruges, Peter invented a square diamond with convex sides and square edges.
A stone with 89 facets to catch the light and to reflect it, giving the diamond a fire seldom seen in a diamond. The "Qui Shape Compass" as the cut was christened was an instant and overwhelming success and the shape was patented all over the world and officially recognised by the diamond high council in Antwerp. In 2000 Peter Quijo endeavoured into a new adventure : he decided to enter the most prestigious concurs for jewellers of the planet : the De Beers Intentional Diamond Awards. The jewel he made was a bracelet of exceptional proportions and poise, set with 128 Qui Shape Compass diamonds, good for a total weight of 58 carats: a heavyweight.
The slightly curved line of the bracelet highlights the shape of the diamond and vice versa; giving the jewel an almost art - like feel. What Peter hoped for eventually happened: he was the outright winner in the toughest competition of them all, his design was preferred by the jury over 2429 other entries from 42 countries. All the years of investing himself in the development of exclusive jewellery collections and special design had paid off. But he is not resting on his laurels : he is twice as motivated as ever. Only two years after creating the Qui Shape Compass, he signed for a second shape of diamond called Qui Vive.
A new interpretation of the classic square diamond: 64 facets to enhance the natural colour of the diamond. This time he is working with unusual and gorgeous champagne, mink and even coffee coloured natural diamonds. There are only a handful of real jewellers in belgium who create and manufacture themselves and who can execute individual designs for their customers. There are only a few jewellers that have developed an own style in the most minute details.
There is only one who has won the De Beers award for jewellery and you will find him in a small shop in the heart of the medieval city of Bruges in Belgium : Peter Quijo Design Jewels.
