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Know Everything About World Famous Jewelers Inspire With Their Creations
More than just
ornamentation for the body, jewelry has long served as a palette for
artistic expression. From Bulgari to Cartier to Harry Winston, the
world's famous jewelers have created pieces of bejeweled art that
have captured the attention of collectors worldwide, as well as the
imagination of those who appreciate fine jewelry.
Frederic Boucheron
Acquiring fame
as an expert in precious stones, Frederic Boucheron opened his first
jewelry salon at the Palais Royal in 1858. The masterful creator of
beautiful jewelry, Boucheron
also set up shop at the Place Vendome in 1893, which is still in
successful operation today. Boucheron branches are also located in
Moscow, Japan, London, and the Far East. Historical international
expositions included exhibitions of Boucheron's pieces, including the
1876 Philadelphia Centennial, the 1889 and 1990 Expositions
Universelle, and the 1925 Exposition des Arts Decoratifs, all in Paris.
Sotirio Bulgari
Sotirio
Bulgari of Greece began his firm in 1879 when he moved to Rome to
open his first shop in Via Sistina. Bulgari's distinctive style was
carried on by his sons after his death in 1932. Bulgari
jewelry-lovers admire the firm's classical and Renaissance-inspired
art, which features colors and patterns found in mosaics. Bulgari is
also famous for transforming ancient coins into jewels. Bulgari
boutiques grace Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Milan, New York, Paris,
Singapore, and Tokyo. In 1998, a Bulgari diamond and colored
diamond brooch auctioned at Christie's for $1,186,400.
Louis-Francois Cartier
Renowned French
jewelry and watch maker, Cartier may have gotten its start in
1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, but it took it his grandsons Louis,
Pierre and Jacques to build Cartier into the world famous empire it
is today. Throughout its history, Cartier has undergone continued
changes which have made it an international phenomenon. In 1983, the
Cartier Museum was initiated; and in 1993, Cartier became a part of
the Vendome Luxury Group.
Joseph Chaumet
Official
jeweler to Napoleon:Chaumet was originally founded under another
name. This jewelry firm captured favor for its grandiose creations
and royal clientele including the Empress Josephine and later Empress
Marie-Louise. Following the fall of Napoleon, the firm garnered
continued acclaim under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Fossin and his
son, Jules. Both were artists in their right who captured a spirit of
Romanticism in their jeweled creations. In 1889, Joseph Chaumet, a
Bordeaux jeweler took over the company and changed its name to
Chaumet. The successful change in ownership thrust Chaumet onto the
international scene, serving as jeweler
to European royal houses and winning copious awards at international exhibitions.
Laurence Graff
Creating
jewelry with some of the rarest gems available, Graff Diamonds was
founded in London in 1960. The revered firm has handled some of the
world's most treasured gemstones, including The Idol's Eye, The
Emperor Maximillian, and The Begum Blue. The jewelry maker's
glamorous style is a result of its highly skilled in-house craftsmen.
In 2002, a pair of Graff diamond
and emerald ear-pendants sold at auction for $772,000. The House
of Graff has locations in London, New York City, Monte Carlo, Dubai,
and Moscow.
Tiffany & Co.
While Tiffany
& Co. may have begun as a fancy goods store in the 1800s, by the
1950s Tiffany & Co. had captured its emphasis on the jewelry
business. Its most famous pieces were created and sold by the
founder's son, Louis Comfort Tiffany. However, other esteemed jewelry
designers, as well as renowned gemologist George Frederick Kunz
were later instrumental in propelling Tiffany & Co. to
international jewelry stardom. Today, Tiffany & Co. can be found
in more than 100 locations worldwide.
Harry Winston
At only 24
years of age, Harry Winston opened his first jewelry store in New
York City. A little more than a decade later, Winston established a
company under his own name. Here, he handled such famous diamonds as
the Jonker, the Taylor-Burton, the Star of Sierra Leone, and the
Vargas. He was also responsible for donating The Hope, The Portuguese
and, the Oppenheimer diamonds to the Smithsonian. Known as the "King
of Diamonds," Winston owned nearly one third of all the
famous museum diamonds at one time or another. After his father's
death, Ronald Winston continued the Winston dynasty, expanding into
additional markets in Tokyo and Beverly Hills.
While some of
the world's most famous jewelers
have made their mark in history, many local jewelers also carry on
this tradition of beauty - fashioning jewelry that delights and
commemorates. Whether famous globally or just well-known to a local
community, artists in jewels are part of a long legacy - creating
today's jewelry for tomorrow. |
