jewelry in french

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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 to say ‘a collar, a necklace’ ? – Un collier
  • How to say ‘a wristband’? – Un bracelet
  • How to say ‘a ring’? – Une bague
  • How to say ‘earrings’? – Des boucles d’oreilles
  • How to 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!

French diamand that you could put on a wedding ring

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.

    Click on this video to see the Cartier’s most famous and iconic jewellery collections!

    Iconic French jewelry pieces and their stories

    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.

    To remember

    • The three famous French brands
      • Cartier
      • Boucheron
      • Van Cleef & Arpels
    • The three iconic French jewelry pieces
      • The hope diamond
      • The tiara of the duchess of Angouleme
      • The zip necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels
    Click here → Premium French Course
    Craftsmanship for French jewelry

    The craftsmanship of French jewelry

    Traditional French jewelry techniques

    Enamelling
    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!

    Innovative materials in French jewelry

    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.

    To remember

    • Techniques
      • L’émaillage
      • Le filigrane
      • La taille des pierres
    • Innovative materials
      • Le titane
      • L’aluminium
    Jewelry and French expertise

    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.

    Collecting contemporary French jewelry

    Collecting contemporary French jewelry offers an exciting opportunity for jewelry lovers.

    Here are a few tips for collectors:

  • Diversity of designers
    • There are many talented designers. Find out more about their work before you decide to buy.

  • Current trends
    • Follow current trends in fashion and jewelry in France, to pick up pieces that could be prestigious in the future.

  • Innovative materials
    • Look out for jewels made from innovative and unusual materials. Creations made outside the rules of tradition can be valuable.

  • Artistic collaborations
    • Follow collaborations between jewelry designers and artists, as they can result in the creation of unique and highly sought-after pieces.

  • Limited production
    • The rarity of . A piece may only be produced once, on purpose. This can be an important criterion for collectors.

    Exercise

    Write in a few sentences (in the comments below) what would be your best piece of jewelry or your best diamond. I’ll correct your French.

  • …………………………………………………………………..

  • …………………………………………………………………..

  • …………………………………………………………………..
    • Click here → Premium French Course
    FAQ word with a beautiful wedding ring.

    FAQ

    How do I translate ‘jewelry’ into French?

    ‘Jewelry’ in French is bijoux.
    ‘A wedding ring’ is une bague de mariage.
    ‘Earrings’ is des boucles d’oreilles.

    What is the French name for a ‘Jewellery shop’?

    ‘Jewelry shop’ in French is bijouterie.
    Now, you know what to ask if you want to buy your wedding ring in France 🙂

    What types of metals and gemstones are commonly used in French jewelry?

    Gold
    Platinum
    Silver
    Rose gold

    Diamonds
    Sapphires
    Rubies
    Emeralds
    Pearls
    Tourmaline
    Aquamarine

    You did it, bravo!

    Let a comment down below, if you wish!

    Thomas 🙂

    Resources

    https://www.cartier.com/en-us/home

    https://www.boucheron.com/int_fr/