Exotic Opulence of Turquoise 53-Meter Yacht Jewels
Turquoise gemstones own a storied and powerful past. A semi-precious stone of hydrous phosphate copper and aluminum, the stunning color range of these beautiful stones has attracted favor throughout history.
Ancients in the Middle East, Egypt, and Turkey adorned helmets, weapons, and even mosques, with turquoise, believing it conveyed wisdom, tranquility, and good fortune, while providing protection and hope. It was even believed to symbolize victory, known as firuze in Turkish, piruze in Persian.
Embracing each of those elements, Turquoise Yachts’ new build Jewels is a standout for many reasons, not just the iconic turquoise hull. Delivered in 2023 from the Turquoise Yachts shipyard in Pendik, near Istanbul, Jewels was built for a Middle Eastern client seeking a rich, opulent interior with intricate details.
A true custom yacht, Jewels is an outstanding example of just how deeply a yacht can reflect the owner’s preferences and desires. Jewels is also an excellent showcase for the wide range of in-house craftsmen and suppliers at Turquoise Yachts, displaying lavish, intricate, beautifully-executed details far superior to the ordinary.
Jewels By the Numbers
Measuring 53 meters in length, the 720 GT Jewels carries a 9.3-meter beam with a 3.25-meter draft. The well-proportioned design and efficient deck layout convey a spaciousness usually reserved for much larger yachts, while offering more intimate groups comfortable quarters without feeling lost. The hull is constructed of steel, topped by an aluminum superstructure. A total of 18 guests are accommodated in 9 staterooms, served by ten crew.
Exterior lines drawn by Luiz de Basto at De Basto Designs in Miami exhibit a clean elegance resulting from the clear geometry of sweeping lines. The firm was chosen for its three decades of yacht design success, creating more than 250 boats and yachts, built over 40 years, across 15 countries. Luiz De Basto notes the design has a visual forward motion that is both “sporty and timeless.”
The Interiors were crafted by H2 Yacht Design of London, in collaboration with the owner’s input. Chosen for their portfolio of diverse styles, their innovative, technically superb team is the result of a passionate, congenial atmosphere that listens carefully to owner’s requests.
Jewels is powered by two 1300 hp Caterpillar C32 engines, enabling a maximum speed of 15 knots. Two CAT 7.1 150kW generators are on board, joined by Naiad Atrest and Atspeed stabilizers. Day heads on each deck offer convenience, while a sun deck Jacuzzi, and two tenders, a 6.3-meter luxury tender and a 4.3-meter rescue tender, invite recreation. In addition, there are jet skis and sea bobs to inspire adventure.
Decorative stairwells link all three decks. Burl timbers, Giallo Siena marble, custom carpet designs, gold balustrades, and decorative mirror treatments continue to immerse guests in the epitome of luxury.
Throughout the yacht, rich fabrics, materials, and trims are found in abundance. Sumptuous tapestries, brocades, and velvets, and decorative stone displaying several vibrant colors emphasize Jewels’ onirique, or dreamlike, environs.
The Main Deck
Boarding from the stern, guests find the beach club immediately forward of the swim platform. Two stairs lead to the main deck from either port or starboard. The beach club features a turquoise L-shaped sofa, with a wall treatment of horizontal wood slats and mirrored background.
Ascending the stairs with teak treads backed by turquoise risers, the aft main deck features a sofa and a table and chairs, allowing for a comfortable al fresco pause. Through the sliding doors forward, the main salon opens to the grandeur of velvets, marbles, glinting gold accents, colorful marbles, and elaborate swag window valences.
Highly polished wood tables and credenzas are trimmed and inset with gold accents. Deeply hued golden Giallo Siena marble floors are a perfect match for the velvet upholstered side chairs. A pair of turquoise diamond quilted pleated arm sofas sit to port and starboard, underlining the windows.
The ivory area carpet is adorned with a diamond grid of turquoise, while the glossy ivory ceiling features a golden rectangle and hidden LED lighting rimming the exterior. Two large media screens sit forward on angled walls, creating a dramatic entry to the dining room while framing a tiered crystal chandelier.
Forward through the entry, marked by golden fluted columns, the highly-polished walnut burl table for eight is inlaid with gold and rimmed with black lacquered border. The table sits majestically beneath the domed crystal chandelier, trimmed in gold. Turquoise upholstered track arm barrel chairs cradle diners in quilted velvet luxury.
Highly-polished horizontal wall panels in beautiful burl are set over a black background. Windows are treated with the same tasseled swag valence and gold tasseled rope drawbacks as in the saloon. A large mirror, traced in a narrow band of LED lighting, reflects the scene from the ceiling.
Black lacquered doors, forward to port and starboard, set the saloon and dining room apart from the halls and galley, as well as the forward VIP and master suite. Forward through the port side door, access to the large galley, storage, and service stair keep crew activity unrelated to actual service to a minimum. To starboard, a hall leads to the VIP stateroom to port and the full beam master suite fully forward.
The Main Deck VIP Suite
The main deck VIP suite is finished in silver and rose gold. The dark burnished wood panels, polished joinery, lighting trim, and divan bed frame with diamond shaped mirrors overhead present a palatial setting, with quilted velvet sofa and tufted headboard. Gold brightwork, hardware and inlays define individual pieces. A custom carpet in ivory, traced with rose gold diamonds and a burgundy border, cushions and insulates footfalls.
The Main Deck Master Suite
The starboard side corridor to the master suite is richly lined with cabinetry in luxuriously polished woods with gold inlays and hardware, subtle lighting. A plush ivory carpet with gold and turquoise patterns and gold border edged in turquoise leads the way. The private desk area to starboard looks out upon the sea, for a tranquil respite. A beveled mirror with carved diamonds reflects the space.
The master suite is resplendent in turquoise and gold, with tufted velvet accents, brocade swag and curtains, and posh sofa. Gleaming flame mahogany furniture accented with stunning panels of sycamore burl display gold covered lionshead drawer pulls and honeyed onyx tops. A diamond carved mirror overhead reflects the room.
The bath is truly royal, featuring amazonite marble panels and Giallo Siena stone. Teak joinery with gold detailing features gold inlays, all reflected by abundant mirrored area above the dual sink. Glassed in shower and exquisite Amazonite marble topped tub are both fitted with gold fixtures featuring warm honey onyx knobs.
The Bridge Deck
Midway between the bridge deck and the upper salon, two guest staterooms find a niche amidships. Also on the bridge, the pilothouse and captain’s cabin find their way just forward of the two guest staterooms. In keeping with the décor, the stair is outfitted in Giallo Siena marble, with appropriately ornate fittings, mirrors, and embellishment.
The full beam upper saloon, in comparison to the main deck, is somewhat informal, yet absolutely keeping luxury top of mind. A large L-shaped sofa in French blue velvet with quilted accents on arms and base has matching side chairs. A beautifully polished low table with marble top serves drinks and snacks with ease.
Aft of the saloon, a table and seating for four sits to starboard, and a bar to port. An alfresco seating area with U-shaped sofa sits fully aft, overlooking the swim platform.
The Lower Deck
Five guest staterooms located on the lower deck are beautifully appointed with treatments similar to those of the upper deck staterooms, with rich textures, colors, gold inlays, marble floors, and lush baths exhibiting details like gold or crystal sinks. Each stateroom is dedicated to a different color palette. Teak and walnut burl veneers, plush carpets, and bright ceilings with beveled diamond patterned mirrors ensure every guest feels pampered.
An additional full beam stateroom sits aft of the engine room, just forward of the beach club. With its own entry, and certain seclusion, it provides a peaceful space adjacent to the beauty of the sea via the substantial swim platform.
Fully forward, the crew mess, galley, and five double cabins give the crew their own space. Crew is sequestered from guest areas and connected to dedicated crew stairs that keep service running smoothly.
The Sun Deck
At the top of this on-water palace, a fitting crown finds a space that knows no end to the day. There is something for guests to appreciate, day into night. Whether it is the sunpads, the circular Jacuzzi tub, the large media screen with bar, or the glorious view, it is a delightful space 24 hours a day.
Turquoise Yachts
Since the 1970s, Turquoise has been building a brand worthy of notice as craftsmen turned from building traditional wooden gulets to modern Turkish steel and aluminum motor yachts. With a growing list of iconic builds, the company is currently working on constructing a number of new yachts, including the 87-meter Vento, the 75-meter Arrow, due out in 2025 as their first hybrid yacht, and the 51-meter Rainbow II sailing yacht. Also on the drawing board, Turquoise is hard at work drafting plans for the 84-meter Project Atlas and the 61-meter Echo.
Turkey, as a country, is quickly developing its taste for luxury, attracting many new visitors to a clutch of exciting new yachting destinations. Turquoise Yachts, no doubt, is the perfect partner in ensuring continued success in luxury markets, bringing the appropriate audience to Istanbul, Bodrum, and the Turkish Riviera. This beautiful country cannot help but inspire the build of stunning new yachts with which to enjoy the fabulous coastline along multiple seas, the Mediterranean, the Aegean, and the Black.
May all of our readers find themselves aboard such a lavish yacht, and in such enjoyable waters, with nothing to focus on but a great itinerary on board a Turquoise Yacht with family and friends.
Photos: Turquoise Media | Words: KL Turner
