{"id":57139,"date":"2024-08-30T14:56:31","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T10:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/?p=57139"},"modified":"2024-10-03T13:46:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T09:46:08","slug":"jewelled-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/jewelled-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"Jewelled insights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Of course there\u2019s a backstory to everything, but that\u2019s especially true for the most intricate, elaborate, finely worked examples of art, design and craft that combine to produce luxury jewellery. The levels of skill, expertise and commitment at each stage of the production process are extraordinary, and it can be a privilege to glimpse inside this world.<\/strong> L\u2019\u00c9COLE, School of Jewelry Arts<\/a> provides much more than a glimpse. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French luxury jewellery company Van Cleef & Arpels actually established the school over a decade ago. The stated aim is to share the culture of jewellery \u2013 especially haute couture jewellery \u2013 with the world, though the location of its four campuses (Dubai, Shanghai and two in Paris) suggests that marketing considerations played some part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe aim to provide access to the world of jewellery to the widest audience possible,\u201d said Nicolas Bos, CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels\u2019 parent, Richemont Group, in an interview. \u201cOur world shouldn\u2019t intimidate or turn anyone away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you could see why the art of Van Cleef & Arpels in particular might seem intimidating. The company is known for elaborately designed and exquisitely crafted pieces that call on extremes both of art and technique. As a result it has built a repertoire of skills that has led the house to be acknowledged as a leading repository of theoretical and practical knowledge about gems and jewellery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L\u2019\u00c9COLE School of Jewelry Arts is described as an initiation school, meaning it is open to everyone with no special prerequisites; \u201cL\u2019\u00c9COLE targets complete beginners as well as enlightened amateurs, collectors and those with a curiosity for the world of jewellery\u201d. Since its inception, L\u2019\u00c9COLE School of Jewelry Arts has already welcomed more than 40,000 students from some 40 countries, with ages from 18 to 83 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally the school had what it called a nomadic life, putting on exhibitions and running courses around the world but with only one permanent home, its original Paris base. The addition of permanent campuses \u2013 which include purpose-designed tutorial rooms and display spaces \u2013 means L\u2019\u00c9COLE School of Jewelry Arts can run a full scheduled programme of courses and talks locally, with the opportunity for research and publishing plus long-run free-to-visit exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Dubai campus for instance opened earlier this year in Dubai Design District with the Garden of Emeralds show, a spectacular survey of the most prized and certainly the most studied of gemstones. That exhibition aimed to introduce as many people as possible to \u201cthe scientific, cultural, artistic and technical aspects of this gem\u201d via a tour that took the visitor from the depths of the earth to the workshops that create the most beautiful pieces of jewellery. Characteristically, the exhibition drew from loans from Van Cleef & Arpels as well as other luxury brands and private collectors with research and specimens from the Mineralogy Museum Mines ParisTech, ranging from uncut stones through gouache design drawings to finished pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just closed here is Gold and Treasures<\/a>, showing another approach to L\u2019\u00c9COLE exhibitions. This had hundred or so pieces from the Mengdiexuan Collection, a genuinely outstanding private art collection from Hong Kong that spans more than three thousand years of goldsmithing work from China; the emphasis here was on the cultural history of the region as well as the beauty and delicacy of the work itself, with no explicit link to Van Cleef & Arpels beyond the shared commitment to design and quality.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sophie Claudel (right), director of L’\u00c9COLE Middle East, has promised that the Dubai school will \u201cintertwine its French roots with the Middle Eastern cultural landscape\u201d with \u201cmany opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges in a region where everything is possible\u201d. It will be interesting to see what this means in practice, but already the school has established relationships with a number of local arts and cultural institutions \u2013 among them ADMAF, DIDI, Al Safa Library and of course Dubai Culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next public exhibition opens in d3 in November, and the autumn schedule of courses and talks for Dubai starts in the first week of September. Delivered by specialists including art historians, gemologists, jewellers and craftsmen, each course will bring together a small group of students \u2013 most have no more than 12 participants, the more hands-on courses are limited to six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The classes are mostly hands-on and practice-based. In the art history courses, for instance, students have access to antique jewellery from L\u2019\u00c9COLE School of Jewelry Arts collections; in gemology classes, they will be able to observe the different characteristics of precious stones in real life using the instruments of the professional gemologist. The result should be a remarkable insight into the world of haute jewellery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s worth noting that all of the proceeds from L\u2019\u00c9COLE\u2019 Middle East\u2019s courses and talks will be donated to Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation, to support its youth education programs. As the press release put it at the time, \u201cDubai Cares\u2019 commitment to providing access to quality education aligns seamlessly with L’\u00c9COLE Middle East\u2019s philanthropic mission to nurture talent and creativity. Together, they channel their efforts towards initiatives that promote equitable education opportunities, especially in underprivileged communities\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L\u2019\u00c9COLE Middle East is located on the ground floor of Dubai Design District\u2019s Building 10. All the courses are detailed below with links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Around the World in Jewelry<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What exactly is \u2019jewellery\u2019? Why are we attracted to it? Different civilisations and different eras have provided their own answers (such as the Aztec headpiece on the left). This world tour covers many of them, inviting you to discover the materials, techniques and styles that have shaped jewellery in both the past and present. Max 25 participants; lasts 2.5 hours. AED 400<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Sep<\/strong> 3:30pm
9 Sep<\/strong> 3:30pm [fully booked]<\/mark>
13 Sep<\/strong> 10am
3 Oct<\/strong> 3:30pm
10 Oct<\/strong> 3:30pm
14 Nov<\/strong> 3:30pm
5 Nov<\/strong> 3:30pm
12 Dec<\/strong> 3:30pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Gold and Jewelry from Antiquity to the Renaissance<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explores how jewellery has evolved through history, its uses and its symbolism, from the earliest times to arguably its zenith in terms of complexity and opulence. Explore how jewellery has evolved through history, from ancient times up until the Renaissance. It includes observation of pieces from L’\u00c9COLE\u2019s teaching collection of antique jewels. Max 12 participants; lasts 4 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Sep<\/strong> 10am
10 Oct<\/strong> 10am
14 Nov <\/strong>10am
12 Dec<\/strong> 10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Entering the Van Cleef & Arpels Universe<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover (or rediscover?) the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels, an enthralling journey through the development of the luxury jewellery marque over more than a hundred years. You will study several of the house\u2019s iconic creations to understand how stylistic audacity and technical innovations contributed to the success of this family enterprise and how its very specific identity developed. Max 12 participants; lasts 4 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Sep<\/strong> 10am
5 Nov <\/strong>10am
12 Nov<\/strong> 10am
10 Dec <\/strong>10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Making of a Jewel<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A piece of jewellery is a collective work which passes through the hands of many experts. A great first introduction to the techniques, the different professions, and the emotional investment this implies. Max 12 participants; lasts 2.5 hours. AED 400<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 Sep<\/strong> 3:30pm
7 Nov<\/strong> 3:30pm
9 Dec<\/strong> 3:30pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Discover the Gemstones<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An introduction to the world of gemology, including the origins of precious stones, their great variety, and the different techniques used to extract and collect them. You will learn about the development of cutting and polishing and the various stages involved. You will see how gemstones are evaluated. And finally you will have a hands-on experience handling the stones using gemologists’ tools. Max 12 participants; lasts 4 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Sep <\/strong>2pm
9 Sep<\/strong> 10am
13 Sep <\/strong>2pm
30 Sep<\/strong> 10am
3 Oct<\/strong> 10am
4 Nov<\/strong> 10am
11 Dec<\/strong> 10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Recognize the Gemstones<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An introduction to the world of gemology, including the origins of precious stones, their great variety, and the different techniques used to extract and collect them. You will learn about the development of cutting and polishing and the various stages involved. You will see how gemstones are evaluated. And finally you will have a hands-on experience handling the stones using gemologists’ tools. Max 12 participants; lasts 4 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 Sep<\/strong> 2pm
11 Sep <\/strong>10am
1 Oct <\/strong>10am
8 Oct<\/strong> 10am
10 Oct<\/strong> 10am
5 Nov <\/strong>10am
12 Nov <\/strong>10am
10 Dec<\/strong> 10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Trying out the Jeweller\u2019s Techniques<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An opportunity to get up close and personal with the repertoire of skills and tools that is needed to create a piece of High Jewellery. Participants sit at a traditional jeweller\u2019s workbench and will be guided through workshops on key skills \u2013 sculpting on jewellery modelling wax, using the jeweller\u2019s saw, polishing, and finally you will learn one of the most essential gestures to the setter by \u2018lifting the grain\u2019 in a piece of metal. Max 8 participants; last 2 hours. AED 400<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 Sep<\/strong> 10am
30 Sep <\/strong>4pm
4 Oct<\/strong> 10am
7 Oct<\/strong> 4pm
11 Oct <\/strong>10am
4 Nov <\/strong>4pm
11 Nov<\/strong> 4pm
15 Nov<\/strong> 10am
6 Nov<\/strong> 10am
9 Nov <\/strong>4pm
13 Dec <\/strong>10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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From the Wax Project to the Setting Techniques<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hands-on introduction to key techniques in creating a piece of jewellery. First you learn how to make a setting for gemstones in silver. Then you will sculpt a wax model and design the placement for the stones on it. Max 8 participants; last 4 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 Sep <\/strong>2pm
30 Sep<\/strong> 10am
7 Oct<\/strong> 10am
4 Nov<\/strong> 10am
11 Nov<\/strong> 10am
9 Dec <\/strong>10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Gouach\u00e9 in High Jewelry 1: The Light<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hands-on introduction to key techniques in creating a piece of jewellery. First you learn how to make a setting for gemstones in silver. Then you will sculpt a wax model and design the placement for the stones on it. Max 8 participants; last 4 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 Sep<\/strong> 10am [fully booked]<\/mark>
1 Oct <\/strong>10am
8 Oct <\/strong>10am
5 Nov<\/strong> 10am
12 Nov<\/strong> 10am
10 Dec <\/strong>10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Gouach\u00e9 in High Jewelry 2: The Color<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The companion course shows how the designer can combine colour with the depiction of light while painting cabochons and faceted stones such that they appear to come to life. Max 6 participants; last 3 hours. AED 800<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 Sep<\/strong> 3pm
1 Oct<\/strong> 3pm
8 Oct<\/strong> 3pm
5 Nov<\/strong> 3pm
12 Nov<\/strong> 3pm
10 Dec<\/strong> 3pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Create Your Jewel\u00a0(6 to 8 years)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspire your child to their first jewelry design! Children choose a template from among the models offered and decorate it with mosaics, rhinestones, ribbons, feathers, according to their inspiration. Max 12 participants; last 2 hours. AED 150<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 Oct<\/strong> 10am
16 Nov<\/strong> 10am
14 Dec<\/strong> 10am<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Draw Some Precious Stones (9 to 11 years)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First steps in real-world jewellery design. Max 12 participants; last 2 hours. AED 150<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Oct<\/strong> 3pm
6 Dec<\/strong> 3pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Create Your Precious Clock (9 to 11 years)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children choose a template for the face of their clock with motifs inspired by Nature, and then they apply their clock face to a real wooden clock. Max 12 participants; last 2 hours. AED 150<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Oct<\/strong> 10pm
11 Oct<\/strong> 3pm
15 Nov<\/strong> 3pm
7 Dec<\/strong> 10pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Discovering the Art of Designing Jewels (12 to 16 years)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Younger teens will explore the key steps in jewellery design and the tools used in the real-world designer\u2019s environment. They will hen make their own jewellery design from a model of a faceted stone. Max 12 participants; last 2 hours. AED 150<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 Oct<\/strong> 3pm
14 Dec<\/strong> 3pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Discovering the World of Gems (12 to 16 years)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First steps into gemology for teenagers. Participants will use the gemologist’s tools to examine and manipulate coloured and ornamental stones with their own hands. Max 12 participants; last 2 hours. AED 150<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Oct<\/strong> 3pm
8 Nov<\/strong> 3pm
7 Dec<\/strong> 3pm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Of course there\u2019s a backstory to everything, but that\u2019s especially true for the most intricate, elaborate, finely worked examples of art, design and craft that combine to produce luxury jewellery. The levels of skill, expertise and commitment at each stage [… more]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":57280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[326,32,325],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-courses","category-design","category-jewellery"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magpie.ae\/staging4\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}