Voice of Jewels

This is the penultimate chapter in the story of Cixi, Empress Dowager of the Qing dynasty, renowned for her enduring love of different types of jade. Even more precious than gold or diamonds, jade is considered the ultimate good luck charm. Over time, it has become a symbol associated with China’s emperors and empresses. Steeped in legends and myths, jade is believed to bring wisdom to all those w...

Can a piece of jewelry save a life? Or guarantee eternity? Napoleon Bonaparte believed this to be the case. His military campaigns around the world had already introduced him to the supernatural power of jewelry... But it was after escaping death a first time that his faith in the power of jewelry was properly set. So much so that he imagined a strange talisman, a lucky charm and symbol of his lov...

Have you ever heard of abraxas? These are talismans in the shape of oblong shields, covered with motifs inspired by Egyptian, Greek, and Roman mythology, and engraved with Kabbalistic prayers, Hebrew words, and magical symbols. One could easily believe that these strange jewelry pieces belong to the wizards of tales and legends… And yet, they were made by a human hand! No surprise then that the Qu...

Pilots are sometimes superstitious, and Jackie Cochran, one of the first female pilots in the American Air Force, is no exception… She is never injured and never has an accident. Her luck seems endless. But there is a reason for this, a necklace assembling a variety of lucky charms into a single object. A charm necklace…a piece of jewelry said to bring good luck wherever its wearer. Even in the sk...

There’s something enchanting about jewelry. Some pieces more than others… Imagine a bracelet with the power to win the favor of the gods, an amulet that makes someone fall in love, and a ring that brings eternal life! Down through the centuries, some of history’s greatest men and women have used talismans in their quest for sovereignty or protection. Discover their fascinating powers in this lates...

The origins of a jewel often lie in a story of adventures… Eiichiro Oda’s manga One Piece is one of the most popular manga in the history of comics. In typical shonen fashion - a shonen is a tale of adventure and initiation – One Piece tells the story of a young hero on a quest for nothing less than… a treasure! Discover the full season "Iconic Jewels of Comic Books" Voice of Jewels, a podcast fro...

The origins of a jewel often lie in a story of adventures… Pearls have always been considered precious. Almost miraculous. According to more than one legend, they fell to Earth from the Moon! Others say that they are the fruit of thunder. Some say that they are the seed or even the tears of the gods… That is why the attempt to find the very first pearl is a fascinating quest, shrouded in mystery!...

The origins of a jewel often lie in a story of adventures… If I told you there is an African country whose soil harbors a mineral with amazing powers that is used for making stunning, magical objects! Well, this country does exist and is no imaginary land. And the fascinating metal that was extracted from it was none other than gold. It’s the gold that jewels and holy objects were made out of. The...

The origins of a jewel often lie in a story of adventures… Our journey takes us around the world, from the Indian empire to King Louis XIV’s court in Versailles. It is one of the world’s most famous diamonds as well as probably the most intriguing. It disrupted the lives of all who approached it, including that of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, the man who discovered it. Discover the full season "The Bl...

The origins of a jewel often lie in a story of adventures… The quest of those who crossed oceans, traveled around continents and conquered our imaginations. They explored buried treasures from pre-Columbian kingdoms to the Indian Ocean, via the shores of the United Arab Emirates. A treasure quest through History with 4 episodes highlights from previous seasons. Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉC...

Forget gold chains and big stones! One of the most sought-after accessories for male celebrities in Hollywood and elsewhere is none other than the pearl necklace! A$AP Rocky, Usher, Joe Jonas, Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, Shawn Mendes, Pharrell Williams… The list of wearers and admirers is endless. But do you know the story behind Marilyn Monroe’s pearl necklace? Or the secrets of cultured pea...

Far from being round and regular, “baroque pearls” have strange and unique shapes. Long considered wonders of nature, they inspired goldsmiths throughout the Renaissance and into the Baroque and Neo-Classical periods. Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, known as the last descendent of the House of Medici, had a passion for such pearls. Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts suppo...

Richard Burton, one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, decided to give his beloved an extraordinary piece of jewelry... For Richard’s heart belonged to a star. An immense, internationally renowned star by the name of Elizabeth Taylor. And his gift is unlike any other... It's a royal pearl, once worn by the queens of England and Spain: La Peregrina. Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, Sc...

Pearls have always been considered precious. Almost miraculous. According to more than one legend, they fell to Earth from the Moon! Others say that they are the fruit of thunder. Some say that they are the seed or even the tears of the gods… That is why the attempt to find the very first pearl is a fascinating quest, shrouded in mystery! Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry...

Tears of Aphrodite or drops fallen from the sky, symbols of purity and majesty... Pearls have long been a source of fascination. The latest season of Voice of Jewels takes you on a journey... Meet pearl fishermen from Neolithic times, a famous Renaissance queen, and two of Hollywood’s best-loved stars. Get ready to embark on a quest to discover jewelry masterpieces inspired by pearls. Voice of Jew...

She’s undoubtedly the most famous opera singer in the world. Chased by journalists from around the world, every one of her recitals at La Scala in Milan, or at the Metropolitan in New York have unleashed passions. Of course, I am talking about Bianca Castafiore. We might have never been able to hear her voice but we’re all familiar with her figure, her accent and her character. And possibly most o...

Some superheroes draw their powers from precious stones. Well, gems, to be more precise. Gems that are endowed with the power to control time or space, or even the mind. This is the saga of an out of this world piece of jewelry that was first published in an American comic book in the early 70’s, and now brought to the silver screen by Marvel Studios. Six primordial stones which, after they have b...

In comics, jewels are often at the core of the plot. But they also may be the hero’s attribute like in the adventures of Corto Maltese, the famous romantic pirate born out of the imagination of Italian author Hugo Pratt in 1967. What turned Corto Maltese into an icon is precisely the jewel he always wears on his left ear : a gold hoop earring. Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jew...

Eiichiro Oda’s manga One Piece is one of the most popular manga in the history of comics. In typical shonen fashion - a shonen is a tale of adventure and initiation – One Piece tells the story of a young hero on a quest for nothing less than… a treasure! Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind His...

Anything can happen in comic books. You can own beautiful jewels, steal them or even find magical precious objects capable of changing destiny! Indeed, jewels and comic books share a common history filled with adventures and beauty. Voice of Jewels' new season explores the world of manga and comics of all kinds. Let us take you on an adventure filled with pirate’s treasures, gems with supernatural...

From museums to exhibit spaces, one cannot stop marveling at this artist’s work. Daniel Brush had a golden touch. Painter and sculptor, Brush crafts gold with finesse and creativity, as if he were an alchemist. He can improvise with as much spontaneous creativity as a jazz musician during a jamming session… The Second Dome is one of his most iconic creations. This small gold dome is a childhood dr...

Many legends have been told about the gold of Pre-Columbian civilisations of the Americas. Imagine… Finding gold deep in the middle of the jungle is a dream that has long tantalized the Western world. The peoples of South America did leave traces and genuine treasures behind them… Among these wonders, there is an odd, striking piece which looks as sublime as it is frightening: the Zenù people’s go...

If I told you there is an African country whose soil harbors a mineral with amazing powers that is used for making stunning, magical objects! Well, this country does exist and is no imaginary land. And the fascinating metal that was extracted from it was none other than gold. It’s the gold that jewels and holy objects were made out of. The same gold that was used to design this otherworldly jewel...

The history of gold is quite a saga. Some of its chapters have been written by surprising collectors, showcasing masterpieces fashioned by master goldsmiths throughout its history. The fascinating “River-God pendant” is one of those masterpieces. This piece of jewelry was designed by Etruscan goldsmiths during ancient times. It astonished and even changed the life of a legendary collector. Voice o...

Gold is the flesh of the gods. The Sun’s sweat. A King's power. Throughout the centuries, this precious metal has been at the root of bold actions and it has never ceased to inspire stunning pieces… From ancient Italy to New York, from medieval Senegal to Colombia, the history of gold is quite a saga… showcasing masterpieces fashioned by master goldsmiths all though time. Discover Gold’s intriguin...