Griegst

The Griegst jewellery house on Holbergsgade was founded in 1963 by the Danish jeweller Arje Griegst. He modelled the wax for his future rings around stones he had already chosen, so the gold surface came out uneven, full of hollows and outgrowths. Danish critics, brought up on the restraint of Scandinavian modernism, took these pieces badly, while the royal family did just the opposite: in 1971 Princess Margrethe ordered a tourmaline pendant from him, and after her coronation, in 1976, a tiara. Today the house is run by Arje's son Noam Griegst, who trained as a photographer and film director.

The boutique sells jewellery that the house makes from its own archive models. There are gold rings in twisting shapes with uneven surfaces and precious stones set into them, strangely curved earrings and bracelets, whimsical pendants and necklaces. The jewellery of Irene Griegst, the founder's wife, is shown separately: rings and earrings with emeralds, rubies, moonstones and pearls. You will also find things for the home here, such as biomorphic candlesticks in patinated bronze, unique vases with a swirling pattern, porcelain bonbon dishes shaped like huge triton shells and table silver with spirally twisted handles (another legendary Danish brand, Georg Jensen, produces it exclusively for Griegst).

The Griegst shop and showroom sit at Holbergsgade 10, in the Gammelholm quarter. The main shipyard of the Danish navy once stood here, then it was pulled down and the ground was built over with tenement houses, and the streets were named after naval heroes and figures of the theatre. From the boutique you walk a couple of minutes to Nyhavn and to Kongens Nytorv with the Royal Theatre. Do keep in mind that the boutique opens only from Wednesday to Saturday, and at other times you can arrange a private viewing.