Jewelry & Watches 9 October
2023

The Founders of the Most Renowned Jewelry Houses in a Story – Chapter 2

High jewelry is more than precious pieces; it’s a way to tell a story of inspiration and heritage through exquisite works of art, and those who tell it are masters of endless creativity.

Cover Photo Courtesy of CHANEL

High jewelry is more than precious pieces; it’s a way to tell a story of inspiration and heritage through exquisite works of art, and those who tell it are masters of endless creativity. In the second chapter of this series, Azyaamode delves more into this sophisticated world and allows you to get to know more jewelers who had their story to tell through such marvels. So, let’s continue this wonderful journey!

مؤسّسو البعض من أشهر دور صناعة المجوهرات في قصّة – الفصل الثاني

<em>Photo Courtesy of Chanel.com</em><br /> <strong>CHANEL</strong><br />
Although it started as a fashion house, CHANEL has earned its respectful place in the jewelry world and it all started with Gabrielle Chanel’s first and only jewelry collection introduced in 1932 under the title of BIJOUX DE DIAMANTS. In fact, when she introduced this collection, she broke so many traditional codes – from the stones enhanced by simple settings to the word “collection” borrowed from fashion and the use of wax mannequins to display the pieces as they would look on the body – to name a few. This audacity and unique creativity are values that the House still cherishes up until today.<br />

Photo Courtesy of Chanel.com
CHANEL
Although it started as a fashion house, CHANEL has earned its respectful place in the jewelry world and it all started with Gabrielle Chanel’s first and only jewelry collection introduced in 1932 under the title of BIJOUX DE DIAMANTS. In fact, when she introduced this collection, she broke so many traditional codes – from the stones enhanced by simple settings to the word “collection” borrowed from fashion and the use of wax mannequins to display the pieces as they would look on the body – to name a few. This audacity and unique creativity are values that the House still cherishes up until today.

<em>Portrait by Aime Morot in 1894</em><br /> <strong>Boucheron</strong><br />
Boucheron was founded in 1893 by Frédéric Boucheron, the first of the great contemporary jewelers to open a boutique on Place Vendôme – making this journey more meaningful from its very beginning. Driven by intuition, four generations have built during 160 years of high jewelry mastery a style, a reputation, and a know-how that set the Maison apart.

Portrait by Aime Morot in 1894
Boucheron
Boucheron was founded in 1893 by Frédéric Boucheron, the first of the great contemporary jewelers to open a boutique on Place Vendôme – making this journey more meaningful from its very beginning. Driven by intuition, four generations have built during 160 years of high jewelry mastery a style, a reputation, and a know-how that set the Maison apart.

<strong>Tiffany & Co.</strong><br />
In 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany founded Tiffany & Co. as a store that introduced Americans to luxury goods, before it became a destination for diamonds when the founder bought the gemstones from European aristocrats and brought them back to the United States. Today, the House is renowned for its extraordinary jewels, endless innovation and exceptional craftsmanship.<br />

Tiffany & Co.
In 1837, Charles Lewis Tiffany founded Tiffany & Co. as a store that introduced Americans to luxury goods, before it became a destination for diamonds when the founder bought the gemstones from European aristocrats and brought them back to the United States. Today, the House is renowned for its extraordinary jewels, endless innovation and exceptional craftsmanship.

<strong>Messika</strong><br />
Launched in 2005, Messika is the fruit of Valérie Messika who remains up until today the only businesswoman in France to head her own independent Jewelry Maison. Inspired by stories told by her father André Messika, she took it upon herself to make today’s generation fall in love with diamond jewelry through her youthful and cool take. In her world, the stone inspires an idea, which is then transformed into a design that highlights the diamond’s unique character, quality, size, and brilliance.

Messika
Launched in 2005, Messika is the fruit of Valérie Messika who remains up until today the only businesswoman in France to head her own independent Jewelry Maison. Inspired by stories told by her father André Messika, she took it upon herself to make today’s generation fall in love with diamond jewelry through her youthful and cool take. In her world, the stone inspires an idea, which is then transformed into a design that highlights the diamond’s unique character, quality, size, and brilliance.

<strong>Graff</strong><br />
Graff was founded in 1960 by Laurence Graff, who at a very young age, showed his passion for jewelry. His extraordinary success is the result of his innate understanding of diamonds and his insistence on perfectly proportioned cuts that optimize the brilliance, color, and overall quality of every stone he uses. In fact, his expert choice of diamonds and colored stones has brought to life many of the world’s rarest and most beautiful jewels, as the House continues to cherish this legacy up until today.<br />
To be continued…<br /> <br /> <em>Article Written by Mirella Haddad</em>

Graff
Graff was founded in 1960 by Laurence Graff, who at a very young age, showed his passion for jewelry. His extraordinary success is the result of his innate understanding of diamonds and his insistence on perfectly proportioned cuts that optimize the brilliance, color, and overall quality of every stone he uses. In fact, his expert choice of diamonds and colored stones has brought to life many of the world’s rarest and most beautiful jewels, as the House continues to cherish this legacy up until today.
To be continued…

Article Written by Mirella Haddad