A Masterpiece
The Pearl Royale is heralded as the most opulent chess set ever conceived, a lavish creation that radiates unmatched luxury through its exceptional materials, masterful design, and impeccable craftsmanship. Handcrafted to evoke a sense of regal splendor, its form pays homage to the esteemed 1849 Staunton standard, re-imagined with breathtaking grandeur and refinement. Offered in an ultra-exclusive limited edition of only three sets worldwide, each is individually hallmarked, numbered, and personally authorized by the artist, ensuring its legacy as a true masterpiece of both fine art and high jewelry.
These magnificent chess pieces are meticulously handcrafted from solid 18K white gold and exquisitely set with over 510 carats of the world’s most exceptional diamonds, AAA-grade South Sea pearls, and radiant Ceylon blue sapphires. The artistry continues beneath each piece, where precision channel-set diamonds mirror the brilliance above, and the gold edges are polished to a flawless sheen, ensuring each piece glides effortlessly across the board. These majestic pieces reside on a board made from crystal glass, adorned with solid 18K white gold corners, matching fine diamonds, and lustrous South Sea pearls.
The Pearl Royale stands as a true masterpiece of fine jewelry craftsmanship and is celebrated as one of the most extraordinary and iconic jewelry art creations ever envisioned.
Dare to Dream
“As a child, I often played chess on a beautiful Staunton set my parents gave to me. Thinking back to those fun times inspired me to design and create the Pearl Royale. Living in the pearling town of Broome and watching my son professionally dive for South Sea pearls, gave me the idea to embody the heads of each piece with these lustrous gems and bring life to the characters. At that moment, it became my dream to create the world’s finest chess set and have the world’s Grand Masters compete on it” - Colin Burn
Exquisite Staunton
With championship origins, the Staunton design has been the world standard since 1849. Inspired by this legacy, the artist pays homage to this royal standard by meticulously adorning each of his pieces with lavish regalia, bringing them to life in a manner truly fit for kings and queens.
World’s Finest Materials
The Pearl Royale Chess Set features the world’s finest gems, all ethically sourced and certified from the world’s leading diamond, gem and South Sea pearl suppliers. The underside of each piece is intricately crafted with channel set fine diamonds then masterfully polished to glide smoothly across the crystal glass diamond embellished board.
Grand Master Fabiano Caruana became the first person in history to play on the Pearl Royale. Joining Caruana was Grand Master Robert Hess and International Master Danny Rensch. These legendary players used the Pearl Royale to predict and discuss Carlson’s first moves in Round 6 of the FIDE World Championship.
International Master and Chess.com Commentary Anchor, Danny Rensch interviewed Colin Burn to discuss his inspiration and path to making the Pearl Royale and what the game of chess means to the artist. Watch this interview exclusive from Chess.com’s coverage of the FIDE World Championship.
The Alchemist
Colin Burn has lived the life of a true alchemist, crafting his distinctive jewelry art for over three decades. His work is deeply rooted in symbolism, beauty, and the transformative power of art to elevate the everyday. Drawing inspiration from objects often overlooked, Burn reimagines them with opulent materials that both captivate and provoke thought. His conceptual pieces emphasize beautification and carry rich allegorical meanings, embedding authentic value beneath their luxurious surfaces. With a masterful blend of symbolism and craftsmanship, Burn creates unique sculptural works that invite viewers to see beyond the ordinary and experience the exceptional.
As a child, some of my fondest memories were spent playing chess with my cousins. Sensing my fascination, my parents gifted me a beautiful Staunton chess set, an object I cherished deeply. Growing up in the '60s and '70s, our imaginations were fueled by Hollywood epics and heroic battles. We collected toy soldiers and staged grand campaigns, and chess quickly became our intellectual battleground, a game of strategy, spirit, and story.
Years later, inspired by those playful memories, I felt compelled to create the most beautiful chess set the world had ever seen. In 2008, I finally put pen to paper, sketching the early vision of what (over a decade later) would become the Pearl Royale. At the time, I was immersed in working with extraordinary South Sea pearls, and their natural elegance offered the perfect muse. These luminous orbs became the soul of each piece, breathing life and nobility into their forms. The contrast of white and black pearls defined the opposing sides, distinct yet harmoniously balanced.
It was essential to honor the legacy of the Staunton design, the timeless gold standard of chess since 1849 and the official style used in all world championships. Within this noble tradition, I sought to craft something truly majestic, each piece robed in lavish regalia, adorned with the finest white diamonds and deep Ceylon blue sapphires, worthy of kings and queens.
My vision was clear: to create not just a chess set, but a masterpiece of fine art and high jewelry, setting a battlefield fit for the world’s greatest players to engage in a dance of intellect and opulence. - Colin Burn
The Pearl Royale Chess Set
COLIN BURN ARTWORKS
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