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.
Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry
the full line of Pandora Jewelry. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and
Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more
information, contact Lewis Jewelers, 2000
West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103,
877-88-LEWIS
or visit http://www.pandorabraceletsusa.com. |
