Jewelry has over time become a real artisan tradition in France, and the expertise of the major French jewelry houses is recognized worldwide. Paris has even become the capital of high-end jewelry with Rue de la paix and Place Vendôme that group together the boutiques of the greatest jewelers. Luxury jewelry, also called fine jewelry, is reserved for a certain category of people. Some consider luxury jewelry as a waste of money, others see it as an investment and an art. Nowadays, this type of jewelry store no longer sells jewelry but works of art, all more dazzling and creative than the others. Jewelry is no longer only used to accessorize an outfit, but it allows the one who wears it to assert their personality.
Each major luxury jewelry brand has its own characteristics and values, which is why each has a completely different personality. So which jewelry brands are the most successful?
The culture of Luxury
The luxury sector is an area where France traditionally enjoys a prestigious image. Indeed, around the world, France is easily associated with luxury. But what do we really mean when we talk about luxury? Luxury is a lifestyle characterized by large expenditures on the purchase of superfluous goods or services or a pursuit of well-being.
Luxury is opposed to utility and functionality. We hear about luxury brands of leather goods, perfumes and cosmetics, champagne, fashion, wines, crystal and goldsmithery but there are no luxury brands in appliances or office equipment.
We can distinguish five attributes that make a product or a service luxurious:
- Excellent quality: granted either by the uniqueness of the materials, such as diamond or gold, or by the expertise and meticulousness of the development process, as in the case of a 4-star restaurant.
- A very high price: For a customer, the purchase of a low-cost luxury product can never be considered. Even if sometimes, the very high price is enough to give the product a luxurious value, the price is generally a consequence of the product's excellent quality.
- Rarity: Not only in supply but also in demand. For a customer, a luxury product cannot be sold in supermarkets, nor owned by too many people.
- An appeal to all the senses: Ideally, all luxury products should be beautiful, pleasant to touch as well as to the palate, smell good and emit harmonious sounds. Consuming a luxury product can thus become a hedonistic and sensual experience.
- A privileged relationship with the past: The luxury product and its brand must refer to a history and call upon traditions.
Forbes ranking of jewelry and watch brands
Forbes worked hand in hand with analyst Launchmetrics, to make a ranking of the jewelry companies that shine the most in the world. This analysis, which is based on 100 indicators, determines the influence of the brand and evaluates its MIV (media impact value: determines how a brand generates value).
1. Rolex: 135 156 859
2. Cartier: 123 807 000
3. Swarovski: 113 463 690
4. Tiffany&Co: 92 061 825
5. Chopard: 66 908 904
6. Tag Heuer: 32 524 177
7. Patek Philippe: 32 159 591
8. Van Cleef&Arpels: 29 800 085
9. Audemars Piguet: 27 932 260
10. Breitling: 25 710 822
List of the largest luxury jewelry brands
Bulgari
Italian company founded in 1884, Bulgari is one of the leaders in the field of fine jewelry. This brand is mainly known for its magnificent jewelry created by mixing modernity and traditional styles, their works are particularly known for their unique compositions of colorful and dazzling precious stones cut into bold shapes.
Chopard
Famous Swiss brand specializing in watchmaking and luxury jewelry, Chopard was founded in 1860 in the Swiss Jura. Its style blends romance, poetry, and dynamism while retaining the strengths of traditional craftsmanship. This brand has been the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival for several years, so celebrities wear Chopard designs on the red carpet, creating sensation and wonder.
Cartier
Cartier is a legend in the world of jewelry. Founded in France in 1847, the brand was created by a French jeweler of royal descent. From the beginning, Cartier has created a strong image and has managed to forge strong ties with members of royal families and celebrities, one day the Prince of Wales praised the brand as "the jeweler of the king and the king of jewelers". The craftsmanship, quality, and style of the brand are exceptional, Cartier remains true to its art-deco roots and adds to its creations a touch of exoticism, grace, and femininity.
Van Cleef & Arpels
This is a luxury French jewelry store that was founded in Paris in 1906, showcasing an original jewelry design based on the combination of precious stones and a poetic universe. Inspired by the Parisian artistic atmosphere and showcasing the beauty of harmony and lightness, Van Cleef & Arpels has been acclaimed worldwide for its unique creations. With great artisanal know-how, each of the brand's pieces tells a mysterious story inspired by the spontaneity of nature.
Tiffany & Co
Also known as "the queen of jewelry", this brand was born in 1837, in New-York. Its diamond collections highlighting romance and dream, have made it popular for nearly two centuries. Mixing innovation and design, Tiffany&Co never follows the trend imposed by the media, it proudly claims creations inspired by classicism, ensuring that each jewel emits a timeless charm.
Piaget
Founded in 1874 by Georges Edouard Piaget, this brand has a lot of craftsmanship, great creativity and a particular sense of detail. Piaget creates whimsical pieces that capture the charm of time while remaining elegant.
Boucheron
Boucheron is a brand belonging to the French group Kering, it was founded in 1858 and it produces luxury jewelry, watches, and perfumes. It is now known worldwide, with points of sale in Europe, Russia, the United States, as well as Asia. Its style is traditional and classic, since its creation Boucheron has preserved its superb artisanal know-how.
De Beers
De Beers is the largest and oldest diamond extraction company in the world since its foundation in 1888. This company manages the extraction and production of rough diamonds but its activities also cover all aspects of the diamond supply chain. Besides that it also ensures the creation of magnificent jewelry in an elegant and fine style, related to the diamond its slogan is "A diamond is forever"
Chaumet
Chaumet is a French luxury jewelry brand, established in 1780. Its founder's history goes back over two centuries, as he was Napoleon's official jeweler and made a sword with the "regent diamond" of 140 carats for his coronation.
Cheaper top jewelry brands
Pandora for costume jewelry
Pandora is a very creative and extravagant brand, founded in 1982 in Denmark. All their jewelry is created using the principle of modular construction, using a base of leather or metal, the buyer can add elements, decorations and multiple pendants in a random order. Each piece of jewelry is therefore unique, as if the customer was also creating a work of art.
Histoire d’Or for small jewelry
Less creative and with much less know-how than the previous brands, Histoire d’Or is nevertheless the favorite jeweler of the French. Following a study by the EY-Parthenon firm, first place in the jewelry category is awarded to Histoire d’Or with a fan rate of 24.9%. This brand was born on the French Riviera with the principle of offering jewelry at all price ranges to satisfy all French people, not just the richest.
Celinni for diamond and precious stone jewelry
We, Celinni Jewelers, have been diamond dealers for 6 generations and offer a jewelry line where diamonds take center stage. From solitaire to diamond rivers, discover our universe: French high-end jewelry. Our reputation is built on perfect knowledge of diamonds and their expertise, but also on years of experience and know-how worthy of large Parisian workshops. Our numerous contacts in the diamond world allow us to sell our diamond creations at the fairest price. But beyond our technical skills, we celebrate the most beautiful moments of your life through a philosophy based on values and traditions.
If you want an engagement ring, you are in the right place!
