L’ÉCOLE – Jewelry School by Van Cleef and Arpels
Looking to make a Career in Jewelry? You can now be trained by the experts. L’ÉCOLE by legendary Jewelers Van Cleef Arpels is the dream of every Jewelry designer and is created to give insider tips about the very secretive world of Fine Jewelry.
The legendary French fashion house on the Place Vendome in Paris is open to all who wish to learn and to get educated about this noble craft. The school itself is housed in a regal 18th century townhouse done up in artistic French style.
For the General Public
During the four hours for the general public, you will see the veil lifted off the business of ‘Haute Joaillerie’ in a module known as ‘Unveiling’ which will include the history of jewels, information on gemstones and skills to sharpen one’s taste for jewels. Led by professionals such as jewelers, experts, art historians or gemologists, you can learn about the history of gemstones and the art of fine jewelry-making. You can opt for individual modules for fees ranging from 600 to 800 euros for each module.
Theory Followed by Practice
Each group of 12 students will then move in the workshops of the house to handle the tools of jewelers, precious materials and learn the tricks-of-hand of these artisans in modules under Step 2 and 3 called ‘Shedding Light On’ and ‘Revealing’. Because as explained by Marie-Vallanet Delhom, the president of the school, “a jewel is a collective work, an accumulation of different skills.”
You can touch and try on every piece of remarkable jewelry by opting for a module under ‘Revealing’ for 950 euros. All classes are conducted in English or French.
If you are a Jewelry-enthusiast, this should be a must-visit on your trip to Paris!
Recources:
You can visit the website of the school at http://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/en/presentation/ for more details and to register. For a beautiful pictorial blog of the jewelry school, visit http://lecolevancleefarpels.tumblr.com/archive.
Address: School Van Cleef & Arpels – 19 Place Vendôme – 75001 Paris
