Jochen Leën: A New Hotel in Belgium is a Temple of Minerals and Gemstones

November 17, 2022

By Katerina Perez

8 min read

Few can claim to have pushed the boundaries of jewellery as far as Jochen Leën – a designer, gemstone collector, natural history enthusiast, and now hotel owner, who has stitched his own experiential gemstone universe together. I have known Jochen for probably 7 years now and as long as I remember he has always had some amazing gems ‘up his sleeve’. So, when he invited me for a stay at his hotel, La Butte aux Bois to discover the Hidden Odyssey exhibition and experience a gem dinner at the Michelin star restaurant, I booked a train ticket and set off for a journey that I would like you to virtually embark on with me.

One of the benefits of being a first-generation jeweller is having no tethers to past traditions. There’s the freedom to forge a business that’s entirely unique and without comparison. When I think about it, Belgian-born designer and entrepreneur Jochen Leën instantly springs to mind. Jochen does not simply design bespoke jewels, although, of course, this is his main vocation; unlike other jewellers, he has created an entire environment inspired by natural history and jewellery art in the form of his 5-star hotel with a Michelin-star restaurant and a jewellery/gem gallery. I also have to mention Jochen’s great sense of humour and charisma – he told me jokingly that La Butte aux Bois is the largest jewellery boutique that someone can sleep in!

Katerina Perez and Jochen Leën at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

Katerina Perez and Jochen Leën at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

Before we go further and I will tell you about my few days discovering the world of the Belgian jeweller, let’s look into his background. In 2008, Leën began promoting his own collections, and just two years later, he opened a jewellery design studio in his hometown of Lanaken. His style is big, bold and beautiful, colourful and typically infused with rare gemstones like Paraiba tourmalines, spinels, pezotaitte and very rare grandidierite. He says: “The opportunity to work with rare and often unknown material makes my brain function on another level; there are no limits in what we can realise.”

The main hall of La Butte aux Bois Hotel

The main hall of La Butte aux Bois Hotel

 The secret gem dining room at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

The secret gem dining room at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

 Jochen Leën boutique window display at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

Jochen Leën boutique window display at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

 Copper artwork at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

Copper artwork at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

 Amethyst geodes on display in La Butte aux Bois Hotel dining room

Amethyst geodes on display in La Butte aux Bois Hotel dining room

 This Ukrainian heliodor crystal is part of Jochen Leën's private collection of minerals

This Ukrainian heliodor crystal is part of Jochen Leën's private collection of minerals

 This 'alien eye' fluorite mineral specimen is part of Jochen Leën's collection

This 'alien eye' fluorite mineral specimen is part of Jochen Leën's collection

In 2013, he was presented with the Handmade in Belgium (HIB) label – a badge of honour for craftsmanship in his home country. This garnered admiring glances from customers and private collectors across the world, who started using his private services to source exceptional gems. I have to admit that Jochen has always been open to unusual ways of presenting jewellery and collaborating with others. For example, in 2016 he presented the most expensive gin – Forest Dry Gin – together with the Belgian artist Liesbeth Swinnen and sommelier Jurgen Lijcops.

Forest Dry Gin accompanied with a ring by Jochen Leën - created in 2016 as the most expensive gin bottle

Forest Dry Gin accompanied with a ring by Jochen Leën - created in 2016 as the most expensive gin bottle

2019 was marked but another milestone when the Jochen Leën brand merged with the Granada Gallery to become a joint venture, specialising in natural history, fossils, geological rarities and mineral specimens with bases in both Antwerp and Tucson, Arizona. Now, the Granada Gallery leases single objects to museums and venues around the world and hosts its own exhibitions to inspire mineralogical curiosity. 

Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and diamond bangles set in rose gold

Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and diamond bangles set in rose gold

 Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and diamond bangle set in rose gold

Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and diamond bangle set in rose gold

 Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and diamond bangle set in rose gold

Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and diamond bangle set in rose gold

The Gallery’s latest exhibition is taking place at another of Leën’s ventures, La Butte Aux Bois Hotel. Think of this as a five-star hotel and hub for jewellery, gemstones and natural history all in one! In which hotel will you be able to see dinosaur bones or sculptures made of fine sand by mother nature herself? These curiosities, gemstone minerals and artistic jewellery prints you will be able to see in the main hall of the hotel. However, there is also a secret exhibition that one can discover by invitation, titled Hidden Odyssey.

Jochen Leën jewellery pieces with Paraiba tourmaline, diamonds and original Martian meteorites set in yellow gold

Jochen Leën jewellery pieces with Paraiba tourmaline, diamonds and original Martian meteorites set in yellow gold

Leën says: “I think we can all agree that the Moon is a dreamy place, and I am a big dreamer in general!” So he thought – why not reconstruct the landing site of Apollo 11, but on Earth instead of the Moon? And just like that, he started to work on a hidden gallery in the basement that was finished within three months and features a reconstructed surface of the moon opposite a landed spaceship. A special seating area inspired by the surface of the Moon is where Jochen can host private dinners with his jewellery clients. But that’s not it! “Hidden Odyssey is a 400 square metre lunar landscape with an educational [area] in a moon crater. It shows the rarest meteorites on planet Earth,” Leën explains. There are also specimens from the Moon, Mars and unknown planets on display in what he describes as a “hidden environment”. The project also involves different experience rooms, like a space box showing a rare fluorescent meteorite.”

The Hidden Odyssey area created for dining and entertainment at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

The Hidden Odyssey area created for dining and entertainment at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

 The Hidden Odyssey imitates the landing site of Apollo 11 on the Moon

The Hidden Odyssey imitates the landing site of Apollo 11 on the Moon

 There are also specimens from the Moon, Mars and unknown planets on display in what he describes as a “hidden environment”

There are also specimens from the Moon, Mars and unknown planets on display in what he describes as a “hidden environment”

 Hidden Odyssey is a 400 square metre lunar landscape with an educational area in a moon crater

Hidden Odyssey is a 400 square metre lunar landscape with an educational area in a moon crater

All this excitement is part of a broader strategy that seeks to combine educational retail environments with experience-based hospitality. Imagine an interactive and immersive theatre performance filled with gemstones, fossils and meteorites, and you’re halfway toward understanding the goal! For example, Granada Gallery is behind a private dining venue, a two Michelin Star restaurant and a one Michelin Star restaurant, which Leën describes as being “surrounded by crystals”. Another restaurant – Moonstone – is set to open in November 2022. 

Gemstones in Jochen Leën's private collection including red spinel, Paraiba tourmalines and a red beryl (front) with a dragon carving

Gemstones in Jochen Leën's private collection including red spinel, Paraiba tourmalines and a red beryl (front) with a dragon carving

Combining hospitality, gems, and jewellery is a unique way of exhibiting and bringing more knowledge to our guests and clients, he explains. Hospitality is a fine art, and we like to bring the wow factor into it. Our in-house experts can take you to the Moon, tell you more about space, and educate you in gemstones and minerals, all while having a Michelin Star dinner after an in-house massage.

Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and pezzottaite ring set in rose gold

Jochen Leën Paraiba tourmaline and pezzottaite ring set in rose gold

 Jochen Leën pink sapphire and diamond bangle

Jochen Leën pink sapphire and diamond bangle

 A rubellite tourmaline ring in gold by Jochen Leën

A rubellite tourmaline ring in gold by Jochen Leën

 A diamond band ring by Jochen Leën

A diamond band ring by Jochen Leën

To date, the Granada Group has six restaurants, two hotels, one wellness centre, several galleries and retail premises with nearly 300 members of staff. I don’t know many others whose jewellery careers have progressed in this way! Looking ahead, Leën is always excited about the return of the Tucson Gem Show, which he describes as his “favourite time of year”. Granada Gallery will be back in Arizona in January 2023, presenting rare objects and welcoming all to take a closer look. 

Colourful jewellery designs by Jochen Leën

Colourful jewellery designs by Jochen Leën

As for the Jochen Leën jewellery brand, there’s plenty to be excited about. He’s currently working on a collector’s box featuring a grandidierite bracelet, a pezotaitte bracelet, and a Paraiba tourmaline bracelet. This trio represents perhaps the rarest and most coveted gems on the planet, so I can’t wait to see the results. Elsewhere, an ammolite jewellery collection is in production. This is another rare material derived from fossilised ammonite shells that are around 70 million years old. It’s found in extremely limited quantities in Alberta, Canada, and is notoriously difficult to mine because of its fragility. 

Private gem dining at the Michelin Star restaurant at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

Private gem dining at the Michelin Star restaurant at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

 An oval-shaped aquamarine from Jochen Leën's private collection

An oval-shaped aquamarine from Jochen Leën's private collection

 Private gem dining at the Michelin Star restaurant at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

Private gem dining at the Michelin Star restaurant at La Butte aux Bois Hotel

One thing is for certain, with Jochen Leën, there is always something new and exciting around the corner. If you need a sensory gemstone experience, there’s now a place to go and remarkable things to see. You will find La Butte Aux Bois located at Paalsteenlaan 90, 3620 Lanaken, Belgium. Find out more and book your stay via the website.  

Creating a Legacy: Qannati Objet d’Art Founder Talks Unique Wearable Art

continue reading

White Hot: Achromatic Jewellery is Having a Moment

Let’s explore the revival of all white jewellery and discover why this look is universally complementary – and a great investment.  

by Rachael Taylor

Reinventing Royalty: The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology 

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For April, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Watches and Wonders 2025: Eight of the Most Artful Dials 

From lovers kissing on a bridge to precious animals painted in enamel or gems, this year’s watch launches included timepieces with extraordinary dials that blur the line between watchmaking and wearable art.

by Rachael Taylor

Birthday Wishes: Embracing the Power of Being Different 

Today, I want to share my thoughts on embracing your inner self and channelling all that power into your biggest passions…

by Katerina Perez

Flip the Script: Meet the Jewellers Creating Luxury Customised Watches

Jewellery designers are increasingly turning their artistic talents to the world of horology, customising luxury watches with unique embellishments that carry their personal style signatures. From reimagined Rolexes to gemstone-studded bezels, discover how jewellers are making their mark on the world of timepieces

by Rachael Taylor

Iconic Revival: Boucheron Reinvents the Serpent Bohème Jewellery

That nostalgic feeling of seeing past creations—sometimes forgotten, sometimes iconic—sparking a rush of inspiration to reimagine and breathe new life into what once was. That's exactly what Boucheron has achieved with its latest revival: the Serpent Bohème Vintage collection

by Hirshi Sujanti

Art Deco Innovation: Exploring the Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out as a masterpiece of Art Deco ingenuity. As the world celebrates the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, we are taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the most technically ambitious innovations to emerge from this golden era of jewellery design

by Claire Roberts

Emerald Odyssey: Chopard Unveils its Insofu High Jewellery Collection

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new collection unveiling. But what truly excites me isn't just the sparkle and glamour – it's when a brand takes a bold and unexpected approach. This is exactly what Chopard has done with its latest Insofu High Jewellery collection, which all started with the extraordinary 6,225-carat 'Insofu' rough emerald. Let's take a closer look at the creations that have emerged from this incredible mineral specimen

by Hirshi Sujanti

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Best Jewellery Watches 

From diamond-drenched serpents to enamelled blooms and secret talismans, these new jewellery watches unveiled in Geneva embody the artistry, emotion and extravagance of high jewellery watchmaking for women

by Rachael Taylor

Refined Character: The Ancient-Meets-Modern Allure of Dionysios Fine Jewels

The Dionysios signature is all about warm, soulful jewellery that’s characterful without being overtly historical or too starkly modern. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s highlights…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Reinventing Royalty:The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For April, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

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.