(Photo courtesy of Cultura Colectiva)
Contents
- 1. Queen Marie-Antoinette’s Jeweler Trained Chaumet’s Founder
- 2. The First Jeweler to Set Foot in Place Vendôme
- 3. Chaumet Is a Part of the LVMH Luxury Empire
- 4. Chaumet Was Commissioned to Create the Medals for the 2024 Paris Olympics
- 5. The Joséphine Collection Is Inspired by the Empress
- 6. Napoleon’s Imperial Bee Was Reimagined by Chaumet
- 7. Liens Collection Is a Tribute to Imperial Romance
- 8. Chaumet’s 240-Year Craftsmanship Has Been Passed Down Through Generations
- 9. The Maison Excels in Watchmaking, Too!
- 10. Chaumet Is Surprisingly Affordable (When You Shop Smart)
- About The Writer
One of the oldest names on Place Vendôme, Maison Chaumet once created historic pieces for Napoleon Bonaparte I himself and his famous first wife, Empress Joséphine. To this day, Chaumet’s distinct style in jewelry and watches remains a favorite among those with a taste for the extraordinary.
With a legacy spanning more than 240 years, Chaumet is one of France’s oldest and most storied brands—but what keeps it so timeless? These are 10 things you need to know about this enduring icon of luxury.
1. Queen Marie-Antoinette’s Jeweler Trained Chaumet’s Founder
(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
Founded in 1780 by Marie-Étienne Nitot—who once trained under Marie-Antoinette’s jeweler—Chaumet started its journey by crafting pieces for France’s aristocracy. The Maison quickly garnered acclaim as the official jeweler to Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Joséphine.
It was the 1804 coronation of Napoleon and Joséphine that propelled Nitot to new heights of fame. Entrusted with creating a tiara for Pope Pius VII, Nitot delivered a masterpiece that won the admiration of the imperial couple, earning him the title of official jeweller to the Empress.
2. The First Jeweler to Set Foot in Place Vendôme
(Photo courtesy of Chaumet)
Chaumet’s story is deeply rooted in Place Vendôme, the epicenter of Parisian jewelry.
As the first jeweler to establish a presence there in 1812, the French house helped shape the square into the iconic jewelry hub it is today. In 2020, Chaumet marked 240 years of heritage by unveiling its beautifully restored home at 12, Place Vendôme—an address that continues to define Chaumet’s regal spirit.
3. Chaumet Is a Part of the LVMH Luxury Empire
(Photo courtesy of Time)
Chaumet is actually part of the global luxury powerhouse LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), the world’s largest luxury goods group. Formed in 1987 through the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy, LVMH welcomed Chaumet into its prestigious portfolio in 1999, following the Maison’s period under the Investcorp investment group.
LVMH oversees a remarkable family of 75 Maisons, including iconic names like Tiffany & Co., Christian Dior, Fendi, Bulgari, Sephora, Celine, and Loewe.
4. Chaumet Was Commissioned to Create the Medals for the 2024 Paris Olympics
(Photo courtesy of LVMH)
In a historic collaboration, Chaumet was entrusted with designing the medals for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“LVMH and its Maison Chaumet are proud to unveil the design of the medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, a design that embodies the French savoir-faire of the Parisian jeweler and the creativity of its teams,” LVMH stated on its website.
Remarkably, the Paris 2024 Organising Committee secured the rare honor of using actual pieces of the Eiffel Tower. Sourced from iron fragments left behind during past restorations, these were reshaped into hexagons and embedded into every medal.
5. The Joséphine Collection Is Inspired by the Empress
(Photo courtesy of @chaumetofficial)
One of Chaumet’s most iconic collections takes its cue from Empress Joséphine—the Maison’s first great muse. Designed to reflect her dynamic personality, the Joséphine line blends regal flair with contemporary femininity.
The exquisite collection captures the Empress’s refined eye for style, reimagining the tiara with a modern twist and celebrating her love for pear-cut gems, her unmistakable signature.
6. Napoleon’s Imperial Bee Was Reimagined by Chaumet
(Photo courtesy of @chaumetofficial)
A true emblem of the Maison, Bee de Chaumet (previously named Bee My Love) draws inspiration from Napoleon’s imperial bee, transformed into modern honeycomb motifs that evoke both strength and nature.
These pieces, sculpted in mirror-polished gold and set with diamonds, echo the Empress’s love for the natural world while embracing the grandeur of Chaumet’s aesthetic.
7. Liens Collection Is a Tribute to Imperial Romance
(Photo courtesy of @chaumetofficial)
Emotion becomes a masterpiece in the hands of Chaumet artisans, brought to life through the signature Liens collection—a symbol of love, unity, and meaningful ties.
The line was first introduced in 1977 to celebrate the heartfelt connections that bring people together. The collection’s charm lies not only in its design but in its origin, rooted in the historic romance between Joséphine and Napoleon, who entrusted Chaumet with crafting his first ceremonial jewels.
8. Chaumet’s 240-Year Craftsmanship Has Been Passed Down Through Generations
(Photo courtesy of @chaumetofficial)
A craftsmanship truly fit for royalty, Chaumet’s savoir-faire in jewellery has been passed down from master to master for over 240 years.
Diamonds and precious stones—chosen for their remarkable purity and brilliance—are shaped into round, oval, cushion, emerald, or Chaumet’s iconic pear cut. From there, master jewellers, setters, polishers, and engravers bring each creation to life.
The art of watchmaking at Chaumet is just as remarkable. With meticulous care, Swiss master craftsmen bring each timepiece to life, combining rigorous innovation with centuries-old know-how preserved within the Maison.
9. The Maison Excels in Watchmaking, Too!
(Photo courtesy of Chaumet)
Chaumet’s brilliance doesn’t stop at jewellery making; the Maison also excels in crafting timepieces that marry Swiss watchmaking tradition with Parisian sophistication.
From the floral beauty of Hortensia to the regal grace of Joséphine, each collection brings something unique to the table, with exceptional dials that are sure to hook the most discerning collectors.
10. Chaumet Is Surprisingly Affordable (When You Shop Smart)
(Photo courtesy of @chaumetofficial)
It may sound unbelievable, but Chaumet jewelry doesn’t have to come with a royal price tag. By shopping secondhand on platforms like ZenLuxe, you get access to the same exquisite pieces for only a fraction of the original cost.
With just a few easy taps, you can explore an extensive, curated selection of Chaumet’s most legendary lines—from Joséphine to Bee My Love, Liens, and more.
Fill your cart with as many Chaumet treasures as your heart desires, click order, and sit back as your jewels arrive beautifully packaged and delivered straight to your doorstep (because royalty don’t even need to lift a finger!)
About The Writer
Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).
