A day in Paris at the École des Arts Joailliers

Who hasn’t ever dreamed of learning a bit more about jewellery and spending a day in the premises of the prestigious Place Vendôme?

This “school of jewellery arts” is dedicated to the history of jewels and the world of gemstones.

The Paris based École des Arts Joailliers Van Cleef & Arpels makes our dreams come true, nevertheless confronting its students with the difficulties of jewellery artcraft.

Created initially by Nicolas Bos, who wanted to highlight jewellery know-how and perhaps also encourage vocations, the school is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. It also organises visits of the Museum of Decorative Arts, a longtime partner, to illustrate the different courses.

The school offers 20 different courses following three main axes: the history of jewellery, know-how and the world of gemstones.

I was lucky to experience a day at the École des Arts Joailliers, Van Cleef and Arpels. A great activity whether alone or as a couple, as a gift to your beloved one or to share with your bestie. Perfect idea for a fun and educational hen party or a girlfriends’ day out marked by luxury & delight.Be prepared, there is some work – and fun – involved!

The day started with an introduction to the engagement ring, a seasonal theme … This course is suggested to all couples who are considering getting engaged. It takes place with three teachers: a historian of art, a gemologist and an artisan from the Van Cleef & Arpels workshop.

After a brief reminder of the history of the engagement ring, we go for an introduction to diamonds and gems with a gemologist who will explain how people chose stones. The initiatory journey ends with the technique aspects: gold or platinum? What setting? Maxime, artisan from Van Cleef’s workshop, will answer all your questions and will also tell us more about the work of a jewellery polisher.

A school of jewellery arts dedicated to know-how

The second part of the day focused on enamel with a historian and enameller, Marie Orbelin. Where does enamel come from, how do you make it, and then how do you go about enamelling a piece of silver jewellery?

The choice of colours: opaque or translucent. The difficult application on a piece of metal, the passage in the oven, in an ultrasonic bath and the result … The sense of achievement after several hours of intense concentration. This course is a must.

Next time I’d love to take the course about gouache or the art of drawing a jewel but I’m actually still hesitating between that and the course about lacquer, the realisation of a model, the apprehension of the wax or how to set a stone … Loads more fun in perspective!

Obviously, I had a great time there and I strongly advise you to register for a few courses, you will never look at a jewel the same way afterwards, believe me!

Here are examples of courses that may interest you. It is also possible to book directly on site and buy gift vouchers:

Engagement ring: 2h30 – Price: 100 euros

Jewel and enamels: 4 hours – Price: 200 euros

Gouache in high jewellery:
• light: 3 hours – price 200 euros
• colour: 3 hours – Price 200 euros

History and jewels: from school to museum: 3 hours – Price: 100 euros

Japanese lacquer: 4 hours – Price 200 euros

From drawing to model: 4 hours – Price 200 euros

Wax and setting techniques: 4 hours – Price 200 euros

Introduction to stones: 4 hours – Price 200 euros

How to recognise stones: 4 hours – Price 200 euros