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 French vintage 18K yellow and white gold earrings
By Chaumet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These exceptional vintage Chaumet earrings are a beautifully sculptural French design from the 1970’s, crafted in 18k yellow and white gold. The contrast between warm yellow gold and...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Paris 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Dangle Clip On Earrings #21965
By Chaumet
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Chaumet Paris 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Dangle Earrings- These exquisite dangle earrings by Chaumet Paris embody timeless elegance and refined French design. Crafted in 18K yellow...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier 18K Yellow & White Gold Tubogas Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Flushing, NY
Cartier 18K Yellow & White Gold Tubogas Earrings Marked: Cartier 18K 750 Italy Approximate Dimensions: 2.3 cm (Length) 1.1 cm (Width) 21.2 grams in weight.
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,700
W 0.75 in L 0.75 in
Orange Sapphire & Diamond Heart Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold & 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Sapphire and Diamond Heart Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold and White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Earrings features Heart shaped Orange Sapphires bezel set in 18k Yellow Gold surrounded by...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Fred Paris 18K Gold and Diamond Pendant Earrings
By Fred Paris
Located in New York, NY
Created in the 1980s, these Fred pendant earrings are composed of 18K gold and diamonds. Each bombé-form earring is designed as pear-shaped top suspending lines of flexibly-set diamo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet 1970s 18k Gold and Diamond Ear Clips
By Chaumet
Located in Weston, MA
In the 1970s, Chaumet, hired jewelers Pierre Sterle and Rene Morin to design pieces that were modern and completely groundbreaking. This “new look” involved beautiful goldsmithing an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Dangle Earrings and Golden Pearls
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold ,0.47 cts white diamonds, 10 to 11 mm golden pearls AAA
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Verdura 18k Yellow Gold Floral Clip On Earrings W/Box
By Verdura
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
These stunning earrings, crafted in 2000, are a perfect blend of elegance and sophistication. Made from high-quality 18k gold, they feature a captivating twisted design that adds a u...
18k Gold
18K White and Yellow Gold Teardrop Bow Earrings with Yellow and White Diamonds
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K White and Yellow Gold Teardrop Bow Earrings with Natural Yellow and White Diamonds Indulge in luxury with these exquisite 18K white and yellow gold teardrop bow earrings, featuri...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Vintage 18K Yellow and White Gold Oval Door Knocker Earrings
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Bold, architectural, and unmistakably Cartier — these vintage oval door knocker earrings in 18-carat yellow and white gold exemplify the house’s mastery of form and proportion. With their sculptural curves and smooth polished finish, they strike a perfect balance between statement and sophistication. Totaling 6.6 grams, they offer luxurious weight and presence while remaining comfortable for all-day wear. The dual-tone gold design reflects Cartier’s refined aesthetic — effortlessly blending warm yellow gold with cool white gold for a timeless contrast that flatters every skin tone. First seen in the Maison’s 1970s and 1980s collections, this bold yet minimalist silhouette has returned to prominence on runways and in fashion editorials, where vintage Cartier pieces are celebrated for their enduring chic. Perfect for day-to-evening elegance, these earrings elevate a tailored blazer, a silk blouse, or a sleek evening dress. They pair beautifully with Cartier’s Trinity or LOVE jewelry, completing a sophisticated ensemble that transitions seamlessly from city days to gala nights. An ideal gift or collectible investment, these earrings embody the craftsmanship and timeless style that have made Cartier a cornerstone of fine jewelry for over a century. Details: Designer: Cartier Style: Oval Door Knocker Earrings Material: 18K yellow and white gold Total Weight: 6.6 grams Design Era: Vintage Estate Condition: Excellent, with Cartier hallmarks Why We Love It: Cartier’s vintage gold earrings...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Akoya Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These elegant vintage earrings are finely crafted in rich 18K yellow gold and feature luminous Akoya pearls, prized for their classic white tone and high luster. Sparkling diamond ac...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond & 18k White Gold Clip-On Earrings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A beautiful addition to your jewelry collection! These are the perfect simple earrings for your everyday but it has just enough sparkle to add to your ...
Diamond, White Gold
1960s Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold Clip Earrings with Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Metal Type: Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 11.0 grams Diamond Details: Weight: 1.10ct, total weight Cut: Transitional Cut and Rose Cut Co...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$63,690
W 0.44 in L 0.99 in
Estate 18.13 Carats Diamond & Emerald 18k White Gold Clip Dangle Drop Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
These exquisite earrings are truly a sight to behold. Crafted in solid 18K White Gold. They feature a clip-on closure with posts in a dangle drop style, allowing the radiating Genu...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Chaumet Textured Gold Earrings
By Chaumet
Located in New York, NY
Modernist 3 circles clip earrings by Chaumet 18K yellow textured gold France, circa 1970 17.6 gr
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Liens Diamond and 18 Carat Yellow Gold Heart and Kiss Clip-On Earrings
By Chaumet
Located in London, GB
Treat yourself or someone special to this spectacular pair of earrings from luxury French jeweller, Maison Chaumet. Expertly crafted in 18 carat yellow...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold