The 8 Most Prestigious French Luxury Jewelry Brands
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Loading... - Freya Darren
- 24 Jan 2022
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When you’re seeking a truly original and elegant piece of jewelry, a whirl through some of the finer jewelry boutiques in Paris is an obvious choice. Known for their exquisite craftsmanship, each of these French luxury jewelry brands has its own personality. Read on to learn more about the most prestigious French luxury jewelry brands and find something extraordinary that will stand the test of time. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more affordable options, you can read my previous article on chic yet affordable French jewelry brands.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels is a French luxury jewelry brand founded in 1896 by Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law Salomon Arpels in Paris. The story of Van Cleef & Arpels began in Place Vendôme, a prominent Parisian square designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart late in the reign of Louis XIV. In 1906, the Maison opened its first boutique at 22 Place Vendôme, soon expanding the shop to include number 24.
On 2 December 1933, Van Cleef and Arpels received French Patent for a proprietary gem setting style it calls Serti Mysterieux, or “Mystery Setting”, a technique employing a setting where the prongs are invisible. Their pieces often feature flowers, animals, and fairies, and have been worn by style icons such as Grace Kelly, Farah Pahlavi, Eva Perón, Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor, and Queen Nazli of Egypt.
The Iconic Collection: Alhambra
Created by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1968, the four-leaf clover-inspired Alhambra jewelry collection established itself as a timeless symbol of luck.
“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck”
—Jacques Arpels
Cartier
Cartier is regarded as one of the most prestigious jewelry manufacturers in the world. The legend of Cartier began in Paris France in 1847, when Louis-François Cartier took over the workshop of his master, Adolphe Picard. In 1899, Louis Cartier established the now-famous Cartier boutique at 13 Rue de la Paix in the French capital. A true place of historical importance for the iconic jeweler, it has been an essential address for global royalty and countless celebrities ever since.
For hundreds of years, Cartier has created and maintained close relationships with royal families and celebrities in various countries. King Edward VII of Great Britain even referred to Cartier as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.”
The Iconic Collection: Love
Created in New York in the 1970s, the Love bracelet is an icon of jewelry design. A close-fitting, oval bracelet, worn on the wrist and removed with a gold screwdriver. Many legendary couples of the 1970s proclaimed their love with the illustrious bracelet: from Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, and Carlo Ponti, to Nancy and Frank Sinatra. Shop pre-owned Cartier 18kt gold Love bracelet at Farfetch.
Chaumet
Chaumet is a French luxury jewelry and watchmaking brand founded in 1780 by Marie-Étienne Nitot, firstly employee of Ange-Joseph Aubert, jeweler to Marie-Antoinette. The history of Chaumet has been entwined with the History of France ever since its founding in 1780, in Paris. Indeed, the Maison very quickly became the official jeweler to Empress Josephine, wife of Emperor Napoléon I.
The High Jewellery savoir-faire of the Maison has been passed down through generations of jewelers for almost 240 years. And it’s in 1907, that Joseph Chaumet chose to establish his Maison at 12 Place Vendôme —the center of the mythical Paris square. Today, this exceptional address continues to comprise the High Jewellery workshop, a boutique, and historic grand salons.
The Iconic Collection: Joséphine
Modern and free, Empress Joséphine has inspired Chaumet’s graceful and characterful creations for over two centuries. Echoing the inspirations of its muse, the Joséphine collection has introduced the tiara and the aigrette to a repertoire of contemporary jewelry. Read More…
