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| The Place Vendôme in Paris, known throughout the world as home to first-class jewelry houses. |
JEWELRY HOUSES AND
ATELIERS
Since the 19th century, traditional jewelry houses such as Cartier have created superb jewelry by maintaining and strengthening their ties to the ateliers, or workshops. The Place Vendôme in Paris, bustling with first class jewelers, is surrounded by various workshops where artisans practice their craft at their benches as they have for generations. Entering these ateliers gives the illusion that one has gone back in time to a hundred years ago, when what is now antique jewelry was first being created. Using time-proven manual techniques that defy the machinery and technology of modern science, these workshops pit their skills against each other, giving life to jewelry of seemingly impossible craftsmanship. Competition between craftsmen within each atelier is keen, with each dedicating his lifework to the creation of pieces that will be a source of amazement to the people who wear them. In jewelry workshops throughout the world, whether in Paris, London, New York, or Tokyo, and regardless of scale, the same arrangement exists.
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Inside an atelier near the Place
Vendôme, where artisans practice their
time-honored craft, and the words
"mass production" do not exist.
Atelier Saint Honore
Joaillier Fabricant, Paris |
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