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Can you name two of the most famous French jewelry brands? - Here we are:
Cartier
Boucheron
Do you know the French vocabulary, all the words to talk about jewelry?
How do you say ‘a collar, a necklace’ ? – Un collier
How do you say ‘a wristband’? – Un bracelet
How do you say ‘a ring’? – Une bague
How do you say ‘earrings’? – Des boucles d’oreilles
How do you say ‘a pendant’? – Un pendentif
Is this the only thing you need to know about the world of French jewelry? I think that the answer to that question is 'no'.
If you read this article you'll discover the SECRETS of French jewelry! It might be a bit blurry in your mind now, but let's go through it and everything will be clear.
I'm Thomas Ricomard, I teach French as a foreign language through this blog since 2015!
Jewellery is like the perfect spice – it always complements what’s already there.
Diane von Furstenberg
History of French jewelry
Here, we’ll see:
the evolution of French jewelry from medieval times to modern day
the influence of French monarchs
the rise of famous jewelry houses
In the Middle Ages
Jewelry was used to create liturgical pieces with precious stones and gold. Personal objects such as rings (wedding ring for example) were also decorated with precious stones, associated with social status and wealth.
The French Renaissance
A refined, complex style was created, influenced by Italian art. Thanks to François I, jewelry developed significantly.
In the 17th century
Louis XIV used jewelry as a means of demonstrating France’s grandeur. Jewelry became larger and larger, with diamonds, pearls and precious stones. Order and symmetry are important.
The French Revolution and Napoleonic Empire
Important changes were made. Jewelry became simpler. Napoleon Bonaparte favors the neoclassical style (inspired by Antiquity). After the fall of the Napoleonic Empire, the fashion for more opulent jewelry returns.
The Second Empire
This was a period of great development for the jewelry industry. Great houses such as Boucheron, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels were born. Their clients were members of European royalty and aristocracy. They created beautiful jewelry using precious metals, diamonds and gemstones.
In the 20th century
French jewelry is on the rise. Coco Chanel, for example, made jewelry more modern. The great houses continued to innovate, creating iconic pieces and becoming symbols of French luxury the world over.
Today
French jewelry is recognized worldwide. The great houses continue to create unique pieces, and innovations are being made too.
Famous French jewelers and brands
Cartier
Founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier in Paris, Cartier is one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands. It is renowned for its innovative creations. It introduced the Art Deco style in the 1920s and the Tank watch in 1917.
The boutique on Rue de la Paix in Paris is very well known, visitors come from all over the world.
Boucheron
Founded in 1858 by Frédéric Boucheron, this is the oldest jewelry house on the Place Vendôme in Paris. It is known for its extensive use of precious stones. The jewels are often inspired by nature. It is famous for its jewelry in the shape of flowers and animals.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in 1896 by Alfred Van Cleef and Salomon Arpel. It is a jewelry house renowned for its refined creations. The brand is known for a particular technique: the mystery-setting technique. It creates the illusion that the gemstones are floating on the surface of the jewel.
Have a look here to get the vocabulary of the room in French.
Click on this video to see the Cartier's most famous and iconic jewellery collections!
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Among a number of prestigious creations, the hope diamond is the most famous in the world.
The hope diamond
Intense blue in color. Le diamand de l’espoir (in French words) is believed to have been mined in India and to have belonged to Indian royalty before being purchased by various European owners. It was worn by King Louis XIV.
Legend has it that whoever possesses the diamond will suffer misfortune. This contributed to its worldwide fame.
The tiara of the duchess of Angouleme
This is a famous French crown. Le diadème de la duchesse d’Angoulême (in French words) was created in the early 19th century for Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte, the daughter of Marie Antoinette, who married the Duc d’Angoulême.
The tiara is a remarkable example of the neoclassical style, with floral motifs and pearls.
The zip necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels
Created in 1951, le collier zip (in French words) can be worn in two ways, as a necklace or as a bracelet, thanks to a functional zipper. It was inspired by the zipper, an avant-garde motif at that time.
The French word is l’émaillage. It is a technique that dates back to Antiquity, and has now become an established part of French craftsmanship. It involves applying a thin layer of colored glass (the French word is (l’émail)) to a metal or gold surface. The glass must be melted at high temperatures to adhere perfectly to the metal without distorting it.
The French are famous for creating jewelry with floral motifs, landscapes or mythological scenes.
Filigree
The French word is le filigrane. It is a technique involving the use of fine wires or twisted strands to create intricate patterns on metal jewelry. Filigree is often used to form arabesques, scrolls and floral motifs. It is often associated with designs inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
Stone cutting
France is also renowned for its exceptional stone cutters (les tailleurs de pierres). French jewelers pay particular attention to the cut, color and clarity of stones, creating pieces that highlight the brilliance and purity of gems.
Watch this video to know how to do enamelling!
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French jewelers have incorporated two materials to push the boundaries of traditional jewelry design.
Titanium
Le titane is used for its exceptional lightness, corrosion resistance and durability. These unique properties enable designers to create jewelry that is both lightweight and strong.
Aluminium
The use of l’aluminum in French jewelry has also opened up new creative possibilities. It’s light, malleable and versatile, making it easy to work with.
Jewellery is eternal, it never goes out of fashion, it will always be there.
Kate Moss
What kind of diamond would you put on your wedding ring? Write it in the comments!
French jewelry as art and investment
The value of vintage French jewelry
History
French antique jewelry can be linked to
specific historical periods
artistic movements
well-known personalities
giving them historical and cultural value.
The history associated with a piece of jewelry, such as its provenance or its connection with important events, can influence its value on the market.
Manufacture
French craftsmanship is highly recognized, and is a determining factor in the value of antique jewelry.The finesse of manufacture, the use of sophisticated craft techniques and the quality of materials all contribute to the value of a piece of jewelry.
Rarity
The rarity of a piece of jewelry can increase its market value.
Antique French jewelry with unique features is often highly prized.
Thomas Ricomard specializes in teaching French as a foreign language. He has been providing private lessons since 2015, both in-person and online (via Skype). He taught at the Popular University of the Canton of Geneva (Switzerland) from 2015 to 2018, instructing several groups of 20 students from around the world (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mexico, etc.), ranging from beginner to intermediate levels (A1 to B2). With a Master’s degree in clinical and cognitive psychology from the University of Geneva, his knowledge of psychology allows him to tailor his teaching methods for optimal learning, taking into account factors such as visual memory versus auditory memory. He expresses his passion for the French language through writing texts, including poetry and songs, which he presents publicly at numerous music and slam events.
