Every summer in Paris, during Haute Couture week, the great jewelry houses unveil their most ambitious work. This season’s collections pulled in two directions at once: deep into history, and boldly toward new materials.
At a glance
- History as muse: Van Cleef & Arpels (Egypt), Boghossian (legendary queens), Buccellati (Venetian lace).
- New materials: Boucheron’s Human Being uses sapphire glass and morganite.
- House codes: Louis Vuitton’s Monogram star cut, Hermès’ Clou de Forge.
The collections to know
- Van Cleef & Arpels, Fascinating Egypt: the Promesse Souveraine necklace in white, rose and yellow gold with oval pink sapphires.
- Boghossian, Queens of Time: Queen Seondeok of Silla earrings in jadeite and yellow diamonds, honoring a seventh-century Korean ruler.
- Boucheron, Human Being: a pink gold and platinum ring with sapphire glass and morganite.
- Louis Vuitton, Mythica: Whisper earrings set with the house’s Monogram star-cut diamond.
- Hermès: the Clou de Forge Lumière necklace, all geometric diamond spikes.
- Chopard: a white gold collar of rubies and round diamonds.
- Bulgari: a pink gold necklace mixing carré, step-cut and pavé diamonds.
- Messika, Terres de Contrastes: the Amanzi necklace in pear, oval and brilliant-cut diamonds.
- Buccellati: Serenissima earrings, the house’s famous gold lacework at its finest.
Why Paris in July?
High jewelry has always followed haute couture. The same clients who order couture gowns commission one-of-a-kind jewels, and Place Vendôme, home to the great maisons since the late nineteenth century, sits steps from the couture houses. Over the past two decades, couture week has become high jewelry’s main stage.
One eye on the archive, one on the laboratory: high jewelry in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between high jewelry and fine jewelry?
High jewelry (haute joaillerie) means one-of-a-kind or very limited pieces made around exceptional stones by master artisans. Fine jewelry is produced in larger numbers.
When are high jewelry collections presented?
Most major maisons present new high jewelry in Paris during Haute Couture week in early July, with some launching in spring or autumn.
Source: Wallpaper*
