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Core Jewels: Black Diamonds Meet Street Luxury

5 Mins read

BRAND: CORE JEWELS

INTRODUCTION

FOUNDER: MASANORI YAMAZAKI

Masanori Yamazaki started his journey as a jeweler, driven by the collective energy of subcultures and a deep fascination with the individuality of diamonds. With a passion for highlighting the unique character of each stone, he explored the creative potential of jewelry as both art and expression.

In 2003, he founded CORE JEWELS, redefining the boundaries of traditional jewelry. One of his early innovations was the introduction of a bold black diamond collection. Always pushing the envelope, he later merged luxury with technology by launching jewelry enhanced with NFC (Near Field Communication) features and integrated social media experiences.

Under Yamazaki’s vision, CORE JEWELS has collaborated with iconic names including Hiroshi Fujiwara, UNDERCOVER, NEIGHBORHOOD, Tim Burton, Daido Moriyama, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Sony, and more—bridging street culture, art, and innovation.

INTERVIEW WITH CORE JEWELS: THE ALLURE OF BLACK DIAMONDS AND STREET-LUXURY FUSION

CHOOSING BLACK DIAMONDS AS A SIGNATURE

As a teen, I formed a community where we wore only black—from knit caps to sneakers—and hit the streets together. I’ve always been drawn to black as a color. For me, black symbolizes freedom. It’s a color that cannot be dyed by any other. One day, the idea of black diamonds just clicked in my mind. When I began searching for them in real life, I discovered that very few dealers handled them.

Black diamonds are the strongest and most beautiful black in the world. They became the perfect medium to express my identity.

THE CHALLENGES OF WORKING
WITH BLACK DIAMONDS

Black diamonds are notoriously difficult to work with. Their cuts are often unstable, they have more surface blemishes, and because they lack transparency, it’s hard to see inclusions and perform recuts. Existing jewelry forms were designed for clear diamonds, so I had to spend a lot of time in discussion with factories to make them understand the unique requirements.
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THE LUXEDGE PHILOSOPHY:
LUXURY + EDGE

We value both elements equally. We bring an edge by combining unconventional materials, crafting street-inspired items with premium materials, and experimenting with avant-garde forms. It’s about striking a balance between refinement and rebellion.

ON THE COLLABORATION WITH FR2

BALANCING CORE JEWELS' CRAFTMANSHIP AND FR2's STREET AESTHETIC

Translating a 2D design into a 3D piece—especially one involving gemstones—often alters the form slightly, which can change the character’s expression. Maintaining the essence of the character while incorporating stones was a significant challenge.

CHALLENGES WITH THE ICONIC
RABIT MOTIF

We used a mix of white, black, pink (sapphire), and red (ruby) stones, along with different metal tones. Matching the stone sizes and expressing each color properly was a challenge, but the final pieces came out with incredibly cute expressions. When turning FR2’s iconic rabbit into jewelry, we focused on faithfully capturing its expression in 3D. We carefully calculated the stone sizes to preserve the charm of the cheeks, belly, and ears, even after setting the stones. The fingers and toes were expressed with delicate precision.The eyes, in particular, were tricky—just a single stone out of place could change the entire look. But we pulled it off.

REFLECTION ON JAPANESE STREET CULTURE

CORE JEWELS' PLACE IN STREET CULTURE

HIPHOP jewelry has sometimes suffered from a cheap image due to materials or lack of originality. Our concept, “ART × HIPHOP,” aims to bring a deeper artistic vision and luxury craftsmanship to the genre. We want to carve out a unique space within the luxury world while nodding to street and HIPHOP roots. Many younger people see our approach to jewelry as avant-garde and bold. Their perspectives are incredibly valuable. For example, grillz used to be exclusive to rappers, but now we’re looking to present them as fashion items accessible to younger audiences more broadly.

MESSAGE TO CORE JEWELS AND
NOVELSHIP FANS

We continue to pursue one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. Thank you for your support—we’re just getting started. Whether it’s diamonds or streetwear, Core Jewels continues to challenge convention. We aim to be one-of-a-kind—and we’re honored to have your support on this journey.

CAN YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE VENTURING INTO NEXT? ANY EXCITING PROJECTS OR DIRECTIONS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR?

I’ve always been deeply interested in bridging the gap between Web3 culture and the real world. At COREJEWELS, we previously created a closed community where jewelry—infused with technology and social media—served as the gateway. That experience strengthened my passion for merging digital innovation with tangible experiences.

Currently, I’m in the process of launching a Web3-powered platform designed to connect creators in the real world. We first unveiled the concept during last year’s largest Web3 event, TOKEN2049, co-hosting a sponsor event with Coinhako.

Since then, we’ve continuously refined the project, and now we’re finally preparing to launch the service this year.

From left to right: FR2 Founder - Ishikawa Ryo, STRAYM Founder - Yamazaki Masanori, Yoshi, Coinhako Founder - Yusho Liu

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO UNLOCK A SPECIAL IMAGE OF CORE JEWELS!

THE PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TIDE MOMENTS

  1. SHARING THE CREATIVITY AND STORIES OF DIFFERENT BRANDS
    TIDE MOMENTS is not just a series of events; it is a bridge that allows us to establish a deeper connection with users through professional content. By creating carefully crafted videos, images, and other content, we aim to guide users through the stories and creative processes behind various trendsetting brands, showcasing their unique charm.
  2. ENHANCING INTERACTION AND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BRAND AND USERS
    Through TIDE MOMENTS, we seek to establish a closer relationship with our users. The professional content on display not only allows users to experience our creativity but also encourages them to participate and provide feedback, making them an integral part of our creative process. Each interaction and participation deepens the emotional connection between the brand and its users.
  3. DEMONSTRATING BRAND VALUES AND INNOVATION
    TIDE MOMENTS is not merely a platform for showcasing brand content; it is also an opportunity for brand innovation and self-expression. Through high-quality content, we communicate the brand’s spirit of innovation and dedication to excellence, while also encouraging users to discover and express their own unique styles through professional content.
  4. CONVEYING BRAND VALUES THROUGH PROFESSIONAL CONTENT
    In TIDE MOMENTS, every video and image carries the brand’s story and core values. We aim to use high-quality content to help users gain a deeper understanding of the brand’s philosophy and values as they engage with the content.
  5. INSPIRING CREATIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT
    TIDE MOMENTS is not only a platform for sharing brand stories but also a space for inspiring creativity and innovation. We aim to encourage active user participation through diverse content formats and showcase their recognition and enthusiasm for the brand. Each participant’s creativity and feedback continue the brand story, helping us create more meaningful content together with users.
  6. SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BRAND AND USER COLLABORATION
    TIDE MOMENTS is more than just a platform for brand content creation; it represents an opportunity for the brand and its users to co-create the future. We aim to build a brand that focuses not only on products but also on stories, creativity, and close interaction with users. Through TIDE MOMENTS, we look forward to advancing toward a more innovative and vibrant future together with our users.
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