The history of antique jewelry is fascinating! Following major political events and the evolution of artistic styles, jewelry is inspiring. Indeed, the creations of the most beautiful French houses thus adorn the greatest of the time, and assert from the beginning a unique identity that we find today. Paris is inevitably the heart of the creation of the greatest jewelers, and the famous Place Vendôme is quickly inhabited by the most illustrious of them.
OVERVIEW OF THE GREAT FRENCH JEWELRY HOUSES!
Throughout history, the great French jewelry houses have offered us incredible creations that contribute to their reputation. Each has its own identity, and has forged a unique style that has allowed it to span the centuries and increase its fame. Here is a quick overview of the biggest names!
CARTIER
The famous jewelry house was created in 1847 in Paris by Louis-François Cartier. But it was not until 1899 that the company joined the legendary Rue de la Paix, and consequently the biggest names in French luxury fashion and jewelry. Cartier then experienced its stylistic peak at the very beginning of the 1900s thanks to the collaboration of the three Cartier brothers, Louis, Jacques and Pierre.
Indeed, while Louis worked in Paris on the unique style of Art Deco drapery that would make the house famous, his brothers helped spread their name abroad by creating branches in New York and London. Today, the house of Cartier remains the essential Parisian jeweler, and its inspired interpreters have adorned women around the world with the most incredible creations with unique lines!
BUTCHER
Boucheron is a French jewelry house that was created by Frédéric Boucheron in 1858 in Paris. It is in the heart of the Palais-Royal that this house settles and brilliantly develops its business. World-renowned for the quality of its settings and the choice of its stones, the Boucheron house is all the rage in the United States.
Exotic and colorful, this jeweler fascinates, and joins the unmissable Place Vendôme in 1893 alongside the greatest. Branches quickly develop throughout the world and promote stone ornaments depicting animals, insects, flowers and other curiosities evolving with the times and styles.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
The VCA house was created in 1906 by the partnership between Alfred Van Cleef, and Charles and Julien Arpels. All three came from families of lapidaries and diamond cutters in Amsterdam, and immediately decided to set up shop on Place Vendôme right next to the Ritz, to assert their determination. Alfred took charge of creation, while Charles took charge of marketing, and Julien the development of international relations. The VCA house was an immediate success, and many stores were then opened in prestigious and seaside towns.
Developing the theme of the flower in all its aspects, the VCA house will continue to preserve this emblematic motif, characteristic of French elegance and classicism. From the 1940s, the stylistic repertoire of the house was enriched with very colorful figurative animal motifs that are now highly sought after on the second-hand market. Adorning the great princely families of the world, while advocating a democratization of jewelry, this house has forged an identity in its own right!
FRED
Founded in 1936 by Fred Samuel, this French jewelry house was established on Rue Royale in Paris. Made famous for the sales of a yellow diamond "le soleil d'or" of 105.54 carats and a sapphire "le blue moon" of 275 carats, the house of Fred quickly gained a worldwide reputation. Some of its collections, such as the four-leaf clover or the Force 10 line, have become the emblem of the house.
HERMES
Founded in 1837, the Hermès house is first known for its saddlery products. Thus, it was not until 1927 that Hermès launched its first line of jewelry, initially inspired by the equestrian world, using materials such as leather and silver. Its emblematic motifs are therefore the stirrup, the bit and the saddle bridle. During the 20th century, new inspirations allowed the creation of jewelry in precious metals, and led in particular to the collaboration with the great chain maker Georges Lenfant who participated in the creation of bracelets and necklaces with unique lines.
CHAUMET
Since 1780, the Chaumet house has offered its splendid creations to Parisians. Indeed, it was under the impetus of the Empress Joséphine that the jeweler made a name for himself. Very loyal to the house, she carried out prestigious orders. Thus, it is thanks to this incredible clientele that Marie-Etienne Nitot created the most beautiful pieces of Chaumet jewelry. Tiaras, sets and brooches quickly became the emblematic supports of the house.
In the 20th century, Chaumet was able to adapt to changing styles and offer incredible Art Deco jewelry, at the perfect crossroads between tradition and modernity. From the 1960s and 70s, the jewelry house specialized in jewelry with clean lines, and in the use of hard stones and mother-of-pearl.
MAUBOUSSIN
It was in 1827 that the first business of the future Mauboussin house was launched! But it was not until 1922 that it would take the name of its greatest creator, Georges Mauboussin. Recognized for the quality of its stones and settings, Mauboussin set up shop on rue Choiseul in Paris, and prestigious orders would contribute to its reputation, such as that of a 24-carat emerald by Empress Joséphine. Branches were opened in London and New York, allowing Mauboussin's most beautiful creations to travel the world. In 1955, the house joined the unmissable Place Vendôme, and breathed fantasy and volume into its jewelry at the heart of modernity.
OVERVIEW OF THE GREAT FRENCH JEWELRY HOUSES!
Throughout history, the great French jewelry houses have offered us incredible creations that contribute to their reputation. Each has its own identity, and has forged a unique style that has allowed it to span the centuries and increase its fame. Here is a quick overview of the biggest names!
CARTIER
The famous jewelry house was created in 1847 in Paris by Louis-François Cartier. But it was not until 1899 that the company joined the legendary Rue de la Paix, and consequently the biggest names in French luxury fashion and jewelry. Cartier then experienced its stylistic peak at the very beginning of the 1900s thanks to the collaboration of the three Cartier brothers, Louis, Jacques and Pierre.
Indeed, while Louis worked in Paris on the unique style of Art Deco drapery that would make the house famous, his brothers helped spread their name abroad by creating branches in New York and London. Today, the house of Cartier remains the essential Parisian jeweler, and its inspired interpreters have adorned women around the world with the most incredible creations with unique lines!
BUTCHER
Boucheron is a French jewelry house that was created by Frédéric Boucheron in 1858 in Paris. It is in the heart of the Palais-Royal that this house settles and brilliantly develops its business. World-renowned for the quality of its settings and the choice of its stones, the Boucheron house is all the rage in the United States.
Exotic and colorful, this jeweler fascinates, and joins the unmissable Place Vendôme in 1893 alongside the greatest. Branches quickly develop throughout the world and promote stone ornaments depicting animals, insects, flowers and other curiosities evolving with the times and styles.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
The VCA house was created in 1906 by the partnership between Alfred Van Cleef, and Charles and Julien Arpels. All three came from families of lapidaries and diamond cutters in Amsterdam, and immediately decided to set up shop on Place Vendôme right next to the Ritz, to assert their determination. Alfred took charge of creation, while Charles took charge of marketing, and Julien the development of international relations. The VCA house was an immediate success, and many stores were then opened in prestigious and seaside towns.
Developing the theme of the flower in all its aspects, the VCA house will continue to preserve this emblematic motif, characteristic of French elegance and classicism. From the 1940s, the stylistic repertoire of the house was enriched with very colorful figurative animal motifs that are now highly sought after on the second-hand market. Adorning the great princely families of the world, while advocating a democratization of jewelry, this house has forged an identity in its own right!
FRED
Founded in 1936 by Fred Samuel, this French jewelry house was established on Rue Royale in Paris. Made famous for the sales of a yellow diamond "le soleil d'or" of 105.54 carats and a sapphire "le blue moon" of 275 carats, the house of Fred quickly gained a worldwide reputation. Some of its collections, such as the four-leaf clover or the Force 10 line, have become the emblem of the house.
HERMES
Founded in 1837, the Hermès house is first known for its saddlery products. Thus, it was not until 1927 that Hermès launched its first line of jewelry, initially inspired by the equestrian world, using materials such as leather and silver. Its emblematic motifs are therefore the stirrup, the bit and the saddle bridle. During the 20th century, new inspirations allowed the creation of jewelry in precious metals, and led in particular to the collaboration with the great chain maker Georges Lenfant who participated in the creation of bracelets and necklaces with unique lines.
CHAUMET
Since 1780, the Chaumet house has offered its splendid creations to Parisians. Indeed, it was under the impetus of the Empress Joséphine that the jeweler made a name for himself. Very loyal to the house, she carried out prestigious orders. Thus, it is thanks to this incredible clientele that Marie-Etienne Nitot created the most beautiful pieces of Chaumet jewelry. Tiaras, sets and brooches quickly became the emblematic supports of the house.
In the 20th century, Chaumet was able to adapt to changing styles and offer incredible Art Deco jewelry, at the perfect crossroads between tradition and modernity. From the 1960s and 70s, the jewelry house specialized in jewelry with clean lines, and in the use of hard stones and mother-of-pearl.
MAUBOUSSIN
It was in 1827 that the first business of the future Mauboussin house was launched! But it was not until 1922 that it would take the name of its greatest creator, Georges Mauboussin. Recognized for the quality of its stones and settings, Mauboussin set up shop on rue Choiseul in Paris, and prestigious orders would contribute to its reputation, such as that of a 24-carat emerald by Empress Joséphine. Branches were opened in London and New York, allowing Mauboussin's most beautiful creations to travel the world. In 1955, the house joined the unmissable Place Vendôme, and breathed fantasy and volume into its jewelry at the heart of modernity.