Art Nouveau

Van Cleef & Arpels, most well-known for their inspired designs, their revolutionary gem setting procedure known as the Mystery Setting and perfumes, was founded in 1906. Esther Arpels, daughter of a precious stones dealer, Soloman Arpels, married Alfred Van Cleef in 1886. Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law, Charles, founded a jewelry business, trademarked the name and opened their first boutique at 22 place Vendome in 1906. Esther’s brothers, Saloma,...

Tiffany was founded on September 18, 1837 with a partner John B. Young. The name of the company at that time was Tiffany & Young. In 1841, partner J.L. Ellis joined the firm with the company name changing once again to Tiffany, Young and Ellis. Tiffany became the sole owner in 1850 and Tiffany & Company, Inc. came into being in 1868. Charles Tiffany was born on February 15, 1812....

All gold is yellow gold. The mixture of other alloys turns yellow gold to white, rose or green gold. Gold Alloys Pure gold, 24 karat, is too soft to use for jewelry. It is for that reason that other alloys are mixed with it to make it stronger. White Gold Alloys Nickel or palladium is the alloy used when mixed with gold that turns the yellow gold to white gold....

The synthetic rubies and sapphires, so prevalant in the 1920’s have a long history of creation. In 1880, ruby and sapphire was discovered but in 1801, Robert Hare invented the oxyhydrogen gas blowpipe and the thought of producing synthetic ruby and sapphire was in the beginning phase of thought. In 1817, Guy-Lassac realized that heating ammonium alum would produce aluminum oxide and the actual process of synthesizing corundum started. In...