KNOW-HOW
A QUESTION OF PASSION
In 1991, Bruno Zarcate, a shareholder in the firm, took control of the family business founded in 1927.
For this shrewd visionary, Burma’s strength lies in defending excellence while laying claim to unique creativity and image. Each Burma boutique has its own specific character. For Bruno Zarcate, the strong stylistic challenge coincides with exceptional know-how.
“Burma works with gold and silver, making use of the finest designers and artisans, whose expertise is an absolute guarantee of quality”. In reducing the number of articles, Bruno Zarcate has chosen the way of excellence, championed since 1976 with the introduction of BurmaliteTM, an infinite range of synthetic gems that have established the brand’s unmatched reputation.
“Luxury settings, unique know-how, designs in line with current trends and customers’ desires”. For Bruno Zarcate, Burma perpetuates a lesson learned in gracefulness and passion.
Bruno Zarcate
WORKSHOPS
The Burma workshops have been perpetuating the notion of perfection associated with the French tradition for excellence for almost 90 years.
KNOW-HOW
Everything begins with a drawing, the starting point for a task demanding precision and passion. Using the precision of the lines and curves laid on paper, Burma creations stands out as the ultimate expression of a dream come true.
The lost-wax process is a traditional technique first used by the ancient Egyptians. Once a model has been made of rubber, using a vulcanisation process at high pressure and temperature, wax can be injected into the empty mould to make a model identical to the original (always of gold or silver). The wax is given a shaft and then placed in a cylinder which is put in a kiln for 12 hours. The precious metal is then cast at a temperature of 1000 °C, so that the jewel can be extracted from the mould after it has cooled.
As a “blank”, the jewel is prepared, which involves soldering, filing and sawing, before being set. This is a high-precision task for the craftsman whose job it is to make the expression emerge from the matter, using instruments sometimes made to measure especially for the one procedure.
The aim here is to highlight the gem in order to exalt its sparkle. The craftsman creates claws to hold the stone in the bezel, before positioning it and knocking back the claws.
This makes the gold or silver shine, because after so much manipulation, the article is slightly rough and dull. Brushes, threads and polishing pastes are used to bring the jewel “back to life” and restore its sparkle.
The rhodium-plating consists of electrolytically laying a thin coating of rhodium over the surface of the jewel. This operation protects the metal from oxidation to safely create a brilliant effect. The final step consists of checking each jewel and then subjecting it to very strict quality control.
BURMALITETM
Burma selects the finest quality zirconium oxide gems with the greatest care, and has presented these since 1976 under the name of BurmaliteTM, a registered trademark.
Each BurmaliteTM has a unique character: a synthetic gem made in the laboratory using extremely elaborate techniques, BurmaliteTM is very similar to extremely hard stones, is free of impurities and offers an intense brilliance used to highlight dazzling sets of jewellery.
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Like synthetic sapphires, rubies, and emeralds that have been a part of Burma's creations for nearly 50 years, lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as real diamonds. They are of an extremely high quality, just like every synthetic gem used by Burma. Created in the laboratory according to various technological processes, lab-grown diamonds of the "Comme une Plume" and "Enlacé" collections are exclusively of D, E, and F color and of VS+ purity.
STONES
Emerald, Princess, Brilliant, Heart, Pear, Marquise, Cushion-cut… Everything starts with selecting the gems and ensuring they are perfectly cut.
As well as offering a wide variety of gems, Burma also creates custom cuts. It also holds the secret to making synthetic corundum in a shade of ruby red and sapphire blue (both rubies and sapphires being naturally occurring versions of corundum),
As well as offering a wide variety of gems, Burma also creates custom cuts. It also holds the secret to making synthetic corundum in a shade of ruby red and sapphire blue (both rubies and sapphires being naturally occurring versions of corundum), together with synthetic beryl (from a light emerald-green to a deeper tone). The BurmaliteTM stand out for their infinite range of colors reflecting emotions and personalities.
together with synthetic beryl (from a light emerald-green to a deeper tone). The BurmaliteTM stand out for their infinite range of colors reflecting emotions and personalities.
