Renowned for its luxurious afternoon teas, The Lounge & Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong presents its latest collection of gems throughout the month of September. Our creative chefs will be working with the iconic fine Italian jewelry brand, Damiani, whose creations are among the best representations of stylistic and aesthetic perfection.

Afternoon tea with savory bites, mini pastries and a selection of sweet temptations has become the definitive Hong Kong afternoon treat; but what makes The Ritz-Carlton's afternoon teas even more luxurious are its collaborations with some of the world's most prestigious jewelry brands, where the best culinary artisans from the kitchens of The Lounge & Bar fashion delicious dishes inspired by unique and precious jewels, expressing their timeless elegance and style.

"Having created the highest quality fine Italian jewelry for almost 100 years, Damiani's jewels are entirely handmade with the greatest attention to detail and meticulous gem selection. They are an apt reflection of the philosophy that The Ritz-Carlton is known for, "The Art of The Craft," said Richard Long, Executive Pastry Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.

Chefs at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong have taken inspiration from Damiani's collection Belle Epoque, creating edible chocolate pendants, taking on the intense shade of rubies and slightly vintage look of the cross necklace in the collection.

They have also instilled the vibrant colors of pink gold, orange diamond and colored gems including yellow sapphires, emerald and rubies into delicious pastries such as five-textured limoni tea "cake", golden Sicilian pistachio and raspberry croissant as well as savories such as tomato jelly martini.

No fine jewelry line is complete without a ring collection, thus the chefs also created an "illy" tarte with a cascade of Ivory chocolate cream, reflecting the intricately woven sinuous bands of the Gomitolo collection.  Finally, drawn to the strong visual impact of the Damiani logo, with its captivating elegance of white gold merging magnificently in concentric circles, the chefs have crafted charming pendants, which give a young and trendy touch to the afternoon tea.

"The value of a Damiani jewel is what it intrinsically shows: the compelling quality of certified raw materials and the incredible handwork of master goldsmiths and stone setters. With the Ritz-Carlton, we share a sense of aesthetic, quality and care for detail which makes us very happy to be part of its luxurious afternoon teas." Said Giorgio Damiani, Vice President of the Damiani Group.

Available from 1 to 30 September 2013, 3 pm to 6 pm, the Damiani jewelry afternoon tea collection is priced at HK$388 for one or HK$618 for two, including the three-tier tea set and a choice of tea or coffee.  Guests can also indulge in the afternoon tea while relaxing at the highest hotel in the world with a special room rate from HK$ 4,988 per room per night includes a Damiani afternoon tea for two persons. 

All prices are subject to availability and 10% service charge.  For afternoon tea reservations, please contact Restaurant Reservations at (852) 2263 2270 or via email restaurantreservation.hk@ritzcarlton.com; for room reservations, please contact Room Reservations at (852) 2263 2096 or via email  rc.hkgkw.reservations@ritzcarlton.com

About The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Occupying floors 102 to 118 of the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon,

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong is the highest hotel in the world. The 312 guest rooms all providing spectacular city and harbour views. With six dining venues including state-of-the-art designer Italian restaurant Tosca, Michelin-starred Chinese Restaurant Tin Lung Heen and The Lounge and Bar that serves a signature afternoon tea. The rooftop bar Ozone is a truly stunning venue at 490 meters above sea level. For those wishing to relax and indulge, The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA located on 116th floor features nine deluxe treatment rooms and two couple's suites, re-defining the urban spa experience in the city and across Asia. The hotel features a fully-equipped fitness centre and an indoor pool on the 118th floor with a 28m x 7m LED screen on the ceiling.  The hotel also boasts one of the largest ballrooms in the city at 870sqm. Complemented by an additional four meeting rooms, it has fast become the new social centre for Hong Kong and has set the benchmark for events in the region.  For more information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/hongkong.

About Damiani

Damiani S.p.A., parent company of the Damiani Group, historically is a leading company in the Italian manufacturing and trade sector of jewelry and high level luxury watches. Founded in 1924, the Damiani brand excelled in Italian and International markets, becoming an ambassador of Italian style and a synonym of excellence and the best Italian jewelry tradition. Creativity, design and entrepreneurship are the key elements that have driven the Damiani family for nearly a century, together with a deep passion for an art that has passed on from father to son and also been transmitted to the third generation, now the head of the company. Strengthened by an almost centennial tradition, the Damiani Group has always been renowned for the quality of products and materials adopted and the exclusive design of its collections. The innovative marketing and communications strategy and the proven experience of the management team are two additional key elements that contribute to Damiani's leadership position in the jewelry market sector. The success of the Gruppo Damiani is the result of a perfect combination of creativity, research and innovation, merged with a profound knowledge of the goldsmith's tradition at an international level.

Today the Damiani Group can proudly claim ownership of a prestigious portfolio of perfectly complementary brands: Damiani, Salvini, Alfieri & St. John, Bliss, Calderoni and Rocca, the jewelry and high level watches chain. Currently the Group is in Italy and major markets worldwide with fully owned subsidiaries, managing 32 direct and 50 franchised points of sale, in the most exclusive streets of the world's major cities. For more information, please visit www.damiani.com

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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 80 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)