Thierry Vendome: I Consider Hand Crafted Fine Jewellery An Ideal Form of Art

July 8, 2016

By Olivier Dupon

4 min read

Thierry Vendome was born in 1964 in Villemomble, France Son of an illustrious jeweller, Jean Vendome, a.k.a. Ohan Tuhdarian, Thierry followed in his footsteps by training and apprenticing directly under his father’s wing. Jean is highly revered in the French circle of fine jewellery, having pioneered contemporary style, which led him to be praised and to obtain the ultimate seal of posterity in the form of a mention in the Larousse Dictionary.

Yet these achievements were dogged by terrible events. First, in 1973, Jean had a serious car accident. Then seven years later the family’s Paris boutique was obliterated by a bomb attack the day before Thierry was due to start working alongside his father. After loosing so much in an instant he could have opted to distance himself from the jewellery craft. However, this did not happen and the world gained a talented new jewellery artist.

From his father, Thierry learned about the importance of the kinetics of a jewellery piece, as well as how to identify a sense of balance in discord. His style has an underlying simplicity with forms being fluid and organic, compounded by a vital force (the components often jut out, while gemstones seem to break free from their metal shells). Thierry works a lot with Iron Oxide, this is what is left once a metal erodes – a new lease on life, a new form of aesthetic that challenges perception. Unearthing beauty out of chaos and thereby reconciling opposite forces is how one can describe Thierry Vendome’s jewellery philosophy.

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

 Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

Olivier Dupon: Is duality a core concept in your work, as seen in the combination of low with highbrow materials?

Thierry Vendome: I am indeed fascinated by unexpected marriages. In my work, contrast is often due to the use of unconventional components that are paired with gold and diamonds. I usually gather these along my travels. I love pushing my hands into the ground to get small interesting objects, no matter if they are dirty, used or oxidised. It is precisely their aged aspect that complements precious materials. Raw gold with poor metals is a signature that allows me to replicate how Nature itself mixes wildness with pure beauty.

OD: Can you please tell us more about your choice of ‘rust’?

TV: It took me a while before finding a ‘good’ oxidised metal and eventually settling for rust. In the meantime, I experimented with driftwood, bird bones, seashells and glass. I now source rust from an old disused military base. In fact, it comes from shredded fragments of bombs. Beyond its beauty, rusted metal is extremely solid and light. However, it is a difficult material to saw and file, and although a few other jewellers are now also using rust in their designs, I am proud to say I am the only one who can set rust with diamonds – a highly technical feat!

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

OD: How has your father impacted on your practice as a jeweller?

TV: Jean Vendome’s prodigious talent never prevented me from shaping my own creative path. I would add that at the time, in the shop, an entire window over rue Saint Honoré was always allocated to my work. Of course, after 23 years spent learning by my father’s side, I have definitely adopted the ‘codes of the house’ (rules of proportion, how to read forms, how to interpret Nature, etc.). It has been a rare opportunity to work with him, and I am grateful for what he taught me. I am convinced, however, that there are still numerous areas to explore in the world of jewellery making.

OD: Your family history is full of indescribable dramas. How does your work pay homage to this legacy?

TV: My renditions are sculptural, mineral and organic, always balancing abstraction with identifiable beauty. Having been profoundly marked by the Armenian genocide that has impacted so greatly on my family, as on so many others, I once created a piece made of rusted vestiges of war mixed with the remains of a gold cross and diamonds pierced with a bullet. I should add that my grandmother was a very religious woman, and I would accompany her to the Pentecostal church on Sundays. This has provided me with strong moral foundations to this day, which ultimately transpire in my work.

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

Thierry Vendome

OD: Do you have an anecdote you can share with us?

TV: A client had just acquired a lovely hôtel particulier in Paris, and while the premises were being renovated she brought me a bag full of rusted tricentennial nails. She wanted me to create a sculpture with them. Three weeks later, upon returning to view her sculpture, she discovered that I had fashioned a sumptuous necklace with peridots, gold and all the nails instead. To this day, she says she still wears the piece with tremendous pleasure.

Chopard: The 40th Anniversary of Happy Diamonds

continue reading

Verified in Vegas: The Biggest Jewellery Trends of the Couture Show 2025

The Couture Show presents a curated view of the best in craftsmanship, design, fresh ideas and originality, which is why it’s such a vital place to forecast the ‘next big thing’. Here’s what I have gleaned from this year’s State-side events

by Sarah Jordan

Instant Charm: Celebrating New Creations with Karina Choudhrie Jewels

Let's take a closer look at the latest pieces that have emerged from Karina's incredible imagination…

by Katerina Perez

Key Facts About Gold: An Ancient Symbol of Power and Luxury

In an age where digital currencies rise and fall, gold remains a universal symbol of stability, beauty, and lasting worth. It is worn on the skin, locked in vaults, and passed down through generations as a living legacy.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Little Legends: The History and Power of Pinky Rings

Pinky rings have long carried cultural weight - from Ancient Mesopotamian seals to Egyptian signets and Japanese kamon heirlooms. Today, the style is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to contemporary designers and a growing list of high-profile wearers, including Meghan Markle, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski

by Joshua Hendren

Forever in Bloom: The Timeless Charm of Flowers in Jewellery

Flowers may fade in a vase, but flowers in jewellery—they bloom eternally

by Hirshi Sujanti

Double Vision: The Art and Allure of Reversible Jewellery

With versatility driving today’s jewellery trends, reversible designs are enjoying a quiet resurgence. From transformable lockets to rotating rings and earrings that change with a flip, these reversible jewellery creations reflect a growing desire for multi-dimensional design.

by Joshua Hendren

Coloured Diamonds: Why They’re Rare, Valuable and Incredibly Collectible

In the world of diamonds, white may be the standard, but colour is where the magic really happens. From blush pinks and oceanic blues to canary yellows and rare violets, coloured diamonds are nature's most extravagant anomaly

by Claire Roberts

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

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.