Gwyneth Paltrow Wears Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie To The 2012 Costume Institute Gala At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

NEW YORK, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

SUMMER BAMBOO EARRINGS   
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Inspired by the warriors fighting scene in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,"  the earrings depict two dragonflies alighting on bamboo branches. Emeralds, diamonds, tsavorites, rubies set in 18-karat white gold.

CELESTIAL FIRE LOTUS RING    
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A 24.13-carat rubellite "eye" surrounded by diamond-set petals.  The shank is engraved to resemble the lotus stem. Natural fancy vivid yellow, gray, and white diamonds, natural Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds, demantoid garnets, tsavorites, faint to intense pink sapphires set in gray titanium.

SPRING ORCHID RING    
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1.01-carat D flawless diamond, pink diamond, pink and purple sapphires and white diamonds set in gray titanium.

ABOUT ANNA HU

Anna Hu was born in Tainan, Taiwan in 1977. From the age of 4, Anna trained as a classical musician. In 1991, she moved to America to study cello at the Walnut Hill Arts School in Boston, and in 1993 she was selected by her faculty to perform with Yo Yo Ma. She went on to study at the Parsons School of Design summer program in Paris and graduated with a Bachelors degree in cello from the New England Conservatory.

In 1998, the 20 year old cellist learned her promising career needed to change due to injuries associated with tendonitis. Anna Hu set out on a new creative path. From the rigors of classical music, Anna turned to gemology, completing a degree as Graduate Gemologist in just one season at the Gemological Institute of America. She went on to Parsons School of Design, graduating with a Masters degree in 19^th century French Jewelry in 2000 while simultaneously studying jewelry design at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. She earned a Masters degree in Arts Administration from Colombia University in 2001, interned at Christie's jewelry department in 2002 and went on to study the unique qualities of precious stones and the exquisite craftsmanship of French jewelry-making while working in purchasing and merchandising for nearly a decade in the ateliers of Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston.

At 30 years of age in 2008, Anna founded her namesake brand, Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie, and opened her first flagship boutique in New York's Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue, the epicenter of the world's finest jewelry brands. Anna Hu is the only Asian American jewelry designer to work exclusively with French-trained artisans in their New York and Paris workshops. Each Anna Hu design is unique. Her work combines eastern and western influences, often inspired by classical music and nature. She has paid homage to fine artists drawing reference from Impressionism and Art Deco.

Anna Hu was recognized for technical innovation in design and honored with the China Institute's "Artistic Vision" award in 2011. Her jewelry has been worn by style-influencers the likes of Cindy Sherman, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. In September of 2012, The Vendome Press and Thames & Hudson will publish "Symphony of Jewels, op. 1" a limited edition monograph printed in Verona, Italy, featuring 100 pieces from Anna Hu's body of work.

SOURCE Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie