Decades before luxury French jewelry maisons such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier were born, Marie-Étienne Nitot (1750–1809) founded the house that became the internationally esteemed Chaumet, which, for centuries, has created timeless necklaces, watches, rings, tiaras and other jewelry and accessories for royalty as well as Hollywood luminaries.
Before opening his own jewelry house, Nitot worked as an apprentice to Ange-Joseph Aubert, court jeweler to Marie Antoinette, and collaborated on pieces for the Queen. In 1780, he left Aubert’s side to open his own maison.
Surviving the upheaval of the French Revolution, Nitot soon found lavish commissions with the new people in power. The Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte longed for France to once again be the epicenter of luxury, making himself the fashionable face of the prospering country. Nitot’s commissions for Napoléon began with the papal tiara for Pope Pius VII that included a 414-carat emerald among its thousands of precious stones and the 1804 coronation sword, a decadent piece that featured the 140-carat Regent diamond.
The young jewelry house soon became the official jeweler of the Imperial Court, the personal jeweler of Empress Joséphine and one of the most sought-after jewelers in Europe. Chaumet’s work in this era helped popularize the tiara as a status symbol, with ornate pieces designed for Joséphine and Empress Marie-Louise, Napoléon’s second wife.
After Nitot died in 1809, his son, François-Regnault, took over in 1812 and moved the maison into the Place Vendôme, making it the first business to occupy the Parisian center of luxury. By then, Chaumet had included timepieces in its offerings, such as bracelet watches adorned with precious gemstones and equipped with movements made by Breguet (which opened a shop on Place Vendôme in 1933).
After the fall of the Napoléon Empire, successors Jean-Baptiste and Jules Fossin focused more on romantic styles of jewelry that referenced the past and nature, an approach carried on by Valentin and Prosper Morel. It was Joseph Chaumet, director from 1885 to 1928, who gave the maison its illustrious name and brought it into the 20th century with jewelry, accessories and tiaras inspired by the extravagant decor of the Belle Époque.
Later, with Joseph’s son, Marcel Chaumet, succeeding him, the house would be featured at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris — from which the term Art Deco derives — and, alongside the likes of Cartier, would be seen as a leader in introducing the flamboyantly geometric designs and high-contrast color pairings of Art Deco jewelry to the global stage.
Chaumet has adapted over the years to meet changing tastes and trends. The house still reigns in the world of luxury jewelry, celebrating its 240th anniversary in 2020. Since 1999, it has been part of the LVMH Group. Its salons and high jewelry workshop continue to operate in the Place Vendôme where gem-setters, polishers and jewelers craft rings, earrings, watches and enduringly popular tiaras.
Find an exquisite range of authentic vintage Chaumet jewelry on 1stDibs.
Chaumet Paris Wedding Band. Tubal Wedding Band Platinum Signed 2.9mm 6.25 Size
By Chaumet
Located in New York, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 US, Resizable Signed: Chaumet Metal: Platinum Style: Art Deco This exquisite vintage Chaumet wedding band is a timeless piece of fine jewelry, handcrafted in luxuri...
Platinum
Chaumet Jeux de Liens Rose Gold and Diamond Ring
By Chaumet
Located in PARIS, FR
Discover the exquisite Jeux de Liens ring by Chaumet, crafted from 18K rose gold (750/1000). This elegant piece is hallmarked and numbered, guaranteeing its authenticity and superior...
18k Gold
Chaumet Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1980
By Chaumet
Located in London, GB
Chaumet Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring. Set with six oval old cut natural unenhanced Burmese rubies in open back claw settin...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
A Oval Sapphire Shouldered with Bullet Shaped Diamond
By Chaumet
Located in New York, US
A Oval Sapphire Shouldered with Bullet Shaped Diamond Accompanied With a SSEF Report Stamped by Chaumet
Diamond, Sapphire
Chaumet Class One Diamond 18K White Gold Rubber Hoop Earrings
By Chaumet
Located in Simpsonville, SC
Elevate your style with the contemporary allure of these Chaumet Class One Diamond 18K White Gold Rubber Hoop Earrings. Meticulously crafted, these earrings are a testament to Chaume...
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chaumet 18K Yellow Gold Horned Lugs Watch
By Chaumet
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Chaumet Paris watch is a luxurious and sophisticated timepiece that embodies the elegance of Swiss craftsmanship. Made from high-quality 18k gold, it features a refined round case th...
18k Gold
$11,959Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Chaumet Diamond Liens Earrings 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Chaumet
Located in London, GB
A pair of vintage Chaumet diamond Liens earrings in 18 karat yellow gold. This elegant and bold pair of earrings is each designed as a pleasing tapere...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet 18k Yellow Gold Wedding Band. Plain Wedding Band France Signed
By Chaumet
Located in New York, NY
Manufacturer: Chaumet Jewelry Type: Wedding Ring Jewelry Style: Plain Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Ring Size: 4.5 US, A timeless expression of elegance, this vintage Chaumet wedding ban...
Yellow Gold
Chaumet Pavé Diamond Open Spiderweb Disc Cocktail Ring 18 Karat White Gold
By Chaumet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring size: 7 This captivating and unique Chaumet diamond spiderweb cocktail ring is a truly dazzling piece that embodies sophistication and artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this fabulous designer ring showcases Chaumet's renowned craftsmanship and mastery in designing exceptional jewelry. Adorned with 1.00 carats of brilliant natural diamonds (G / VS1), this fabulous cocktail ring adds a touch of glamour and personality to your ensemble, while absolutely lighting up the finger. The sparkling diamonds are thoughtfully set throughout the disc to enhance the intricate spiderweb pattern, creating a breathtaking interplay of light and shadows. The polished split shank supports the impressive size of the piece, while the playful design makes for a true conversation starter. This Chaumet spiderweb ring...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chaumet Pavé Diamond Open Spiderweb Disc Earrings in 18 Karat White Gold
By Chaumet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
These captivating and unique Chaumet diamond spiderweb earrings are a truly dazzling pair that embody sophistication and artistry. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chaumet Nugget Style Clip-On Earrings with Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Chaumet
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Elegant designer earrings by French luxury designer, Chaumet. The luxurious 18 karat yellow gold pair feature a unique design and exquisite craftsmanship, making a sophisticated statement on the ear. These gorgeous earrings feature an 18 karat yellow gold nugget style center surrounded by a polished white gold border. Additional yellow gold surrounds that, as well as the scroll motif that is above and below the nugget...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Torsade De Chaumet Wedding Band Ring Size N (54)
By Chaumet
Located in London, GB
Here we have a diamond band ring from the world renowned French jewellery designer Chaumet. This platinum piece forms part of the Torsade de Chaumet collection and has been half pavé...
Diamond, Platinum
CHAUMET PARIS 18k Yellow Gold, Coral & Mother of Pearl Earrings Vintage
By Chaumet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Chaumet Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Mother of Pearl & Coral Earrings Vintage Here is your chance to purchase a beautiful and highly collectible designer ...
Coral, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Platinum Wedding Band. Tubal Wedding Band Platinum Signed 2.9mm
By Chaumet
Located in New York, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 US, Resizable Signed: Chaumet Metal: Platinum Style: Art Deco This exquisite vintage Chaumet wedding band is a timeless piece of fine jewelry, handcrafted in luxuri...
Platinum
18 K Yellow Gold Hoop Style Earrings with Iolite Signed Chaumet
By Chaumet
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Hoop style earrings, each centering an oval cut Iolite, total weight approximately 2.00 carat, bright deep blue and very well matched Iolites are bezel set at the top and b...
Iolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Paris Liens Smoky Quartz 18k White Gold Large Cocktail Dress Ring French
By Chaumet
Located in Lisbon, PT
Chaumet Paris “Liens” smoky quartz large cocktail or dress ring in 18K white gold, French, 2010s. This now discontinued Lien jewel by Chaumet is bezel-set to the center with a large ...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Midcentury Chaumet Ring 18k Gold Coral Jade French Vintage Modernist
By Chaumet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A unique Modernist ring by Chaumet, Paris made of 18 karat gold, featuring jade and coral (interchangeable). An abstract ring’s shape emphasizes the gold texture. The jade and coral are shaped as truncated cones. Their clean geometrical shape works as a counterpoint to the complex appearance of the ring. A whimsical shape and bright colors are signature elements of the Modernist design. Wearing this conversational Chaumet ring will reflect your refined taste. Two interchangeable gems make this piece easy to match with different outfits. This Modernist ring by Chaumet Paris is made of 18 karat yellow gold. It features a truncated pyramid jade and coral which are interchangeable. This Mid-Century ring top measures 7/8" x 3/4" 1/2" (2.2 x 1.9 x 1.3 cm) and weighs 16.4 grams. The vintage ring is stamped with Chaumet maker's mark, place of manufacture. About Chaumet Brand: Being the first jeweler to arrive on now famous Place Vendôme in 1812, Chaumet jewelry has been staying an expression of traditional Parisian style ever since. Chaumet pieces have long been a favorite with the French aristocrats. In 19th century, Joséphine Bonaparte, the Empress of the French and the first wife of Emperor Napoleon, was one of the brand’s famous clients and appreciators. Fast forward two centuries, Chaumet style is based on exploration of all things of nature. The brand itself calls it “naturalist jewelry”. The Maison’s designers use symbolism of plants, opulence of gardens and delicacy of grass to permeate Chaumet jewelry creations with the energy of the wild nature. In the modern world, the most popular Chaumet collections are the Liens, the Bee My Love and the Josephine. About Vintage French Jewelry...
Coral, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold