Chaumet: The Joséphine Collection With 45 Pieces Of High Jewellery

August 9, 2015

By Katerina Perez

2 min read

The story of Chaumet dates back to 1780 and is closely intertwined with the history of France. Paris has always been celebrated for the prowess of its jewellers and for its incredible good luck, and Marie-Étienne Nitot, the founder of the Jewellery House, is no exception.

If the legend is to be believed, in 1802, Marie-Étienne stopped a horse which was bearing its rider along at full pelt, and the man in the saddle turned out to be none other than Napoleon, future Emperor of France. When he eventually did come to power, Napoleon invited Marie-Étienne to be his court jeweller, which resulted in Marie-Étienne designing jewellery for all sorts of historical figures such as Marie Louise, the Duchess of Parma, Empress Joséphine, and many others.

Chaumet’s Joséphine collection transports us back to that era and carries echoes of the jewellery style of the muse herself, Empress Joséphine. Being a enjoyed of refined hedonism, her love of sensuality was tempered by her elegant taste; and as an aristocrat during troubled times, she adapted to the aesthetic of the period and revamped the extravagant imperial style, bringing to it her own touches of feeling, poetry and creative flair.

Chaumet Enriches The Joséphine Collection With 45 Pieces Of High Jewellery

Chaumet Enriches The Joséphine Collection With 45 Pieces Of High Jewellery

As part of an ongoing celebration of her muse, creative director of Chaumet, Claire Dévé-Rakoff, has extended the Joséphine collection, first released in 2010, with a number of new haute couture pieces. The designer has created a total of 45 new jewels in four distinct styles. Rondes de Nuit comprises a necklace, earrings and a pendant, with large teardrop-cut diamonds, framed by single or double lines of smaller diamonds in a round or baguette cut. The stone at the centre of the Imperial Aigrette tiara ring is also a teardrop, but instead of a diamond frame, the jewellery features a firework burst of small stones. In Flower Burst and Spring Sunrise, Claire has added a splash of colour using blue and pink sapphires, emeralds and yellow diamonds.

In her research for expanding the Joséphine collection, Claire looked at archive drawings of necklaces, pendants, aigrettes and tiaras made between 1900 and 1915. The drawings demonstrated Chaumet’s original and flawless composition, rich with brilliantly conceived ideas. The geometric shapes are taken from architectural tropes and the visual lightness of the finished ensemble draws allusions to fleeting movement, as in a splash of water: one moment you see it, the next moment it has gone.

Chaumet Enriches The Joséphine Collection With 45 Pieces Of High Jewellery

Chaumet Enriches The Joséphine Collection With 45 Pieces Of High Jewellery

All of the new pieces immortalise the unique style and elegance of Chaumet. There is no denying that 230 years of tradition blended in with contemporary trends makes Joséphine a refined and infinitely stylish collection. Combining the incompatible, merging beauty and strength, sophistication and sparkle – that is what is expressed in the unparalleled charm and sensuality of Joséphine, the lady and the Empress.

Haute Couture Week: De Beers Unveiled New Pieces From Their Talisman Collection

continue reading

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Sensual Silhouettes: Jewels with Curves in All the Right Places

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us? As jewellers swap sharp lines for shapely swirls, we look at new collections that are embracing the raw power of sensuality inspired by the female form

by Rachael Taylor

Artistic Realms: The Enchanting Natural World of Histoire D’Elle

I had the pleasure of speaking with Pascale Van Maele, the Brand Manager of Histoire d'Elle, which celebrates the deep-rooted connection between quiet femininity, elegance and natural forms. Let's explore together…

by Sarah Jordan

Spinel Stories: Celebrating the Special Allure of Spinels with the House of Gübelin 

I visited the Geneva boutique of the family-owned business to indulge my passion for this overlooked gemstone and explore some of its beautiful creations…

by Katerina Perez

Golden Hour: Cosmic Creations in the Chanel Reach for the Stars High Jewellery Collection

The Reach for the Stars collection bounces between cosmic constellations of diamonds, elaborate, almost mythological neckwear, and starbursts of coloured stones, all with the Maison’s Parisian flair

by Sarah Jordan

Ultimate Guide to Promise Rings: What They Mean, How to Wear One and Where to Buy

While the promise ring's meaning has evolved, its emotional weight remains, making it especially popular among Gen Z and millennial couples seeking the perfect, personal pre-engagement jewel

by Claire Roberts

Exquisite Escapes: The Idyllic Inspirations Behind the Diorexquis High Jewellery Collection

In early May 2025, Dior Joaillerie's Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane showcased an unprecedented high jewellery collection, Diorexquis, to more than 300 VIPs at the Château de la Colle Noire in the heart of Provence. Let's take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.