Rare Paraiba tourmaline and diamond earrings, by Carvin French

Through the jewelry house Carvin French, Parisian enamelists André Chervin and Serge Carponcy combined their unique skill sets to create stunning handcrafted rings, brooches and other accessories. At a time when many jewelers relied on traditional methods like casting to mass-produce jewelry, Carvin French employed classical European techniques such as enameling. Both Chervin and Carponcy apprenticed under master jewelers in Paris and later moved to the United States, bringing a multicultural approach to luxury style.

Chervin came from a family of jewelers and met Carponcy while they were both working as bench jewelers for the famous Louis Féron workshop in New York City. They decided to set up their own workshop in 1954 on East 52nd Street in Manhattan. The merger of their names — ”Car” from Carponcy and “Vin” from Chervin — was joined with an homage to their home country, and Carvin French was born.

Their distinctive blending of French and American styles became immensely popular, not only with the American public but also with other prestigious jewelry houses. Earning the nickname “the jewelers’ jeweler,” Carvin French has been a supplier to the likes of Cartier, Tiffany & Co., BVLGARI, Asprey, Van Cleef & Arpels, Verdura and Harry Winston, among others.

Carponcy retired in 1983, leading to Chervin overseeing the brand with his nephew Sylvain Chervin and daughter Carole Chervin. The duo’s legacy of innovation continues to shape the jewelry industry through a deep love for jewelry, craftsmanship and tradition.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Carvin French rings, earrings, necklaces and more.