The World of gemstones

The Lesotho Legend, the diamond at the origin of the Legend of Diamonds collection by Van Cleef & Arpels

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Follow in the footsteps of the rough diamond that gave life to a High Jewelry collection.

About the course

If you are a student* or a job seeker*, you can enjoy the discounted rate of €15 for all courses organized by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Lyon (23/11 – 1/12/2024), subject to seat availability.

*A valid student card or proof of entitlement must be presented.What are the specific technical steps that have to be taken to make High Jewelry? What expertises are involved in the process of creation of a jewel? Today, just like in times gone by, many different kinds of savoir-faire must be combined in order for an exceptional piece of jewelry to come into being.

From the depths of the earth to the workshops of Van Cleef & Arpels, dive into the story of an exceptional diamond. Before your eyes, the Lesotho Legend, a 910-carat rough gemstone will turn into 25 creations, to form the Legend of diamonds – 25 Mystery Set Jewels High Jewelry collection.

In this course, you will travel through Lesotho to explore the origin, formation, and extraction of this extraordinary gem. Along the way, you will observe replicas of the diamond as you make a stop in Antwerp to delve into the cutting process, from the study of the rough stone to its polishing. For your final destination, take a peek inside the Van Cleef & Arpels Parisian workshops to discover how the 67 cut stones were set. In the expert hands of the Mains d’OrTM, the Maison’s master craftsmen, each diamond expresses its particular light, surrounded by a Mystery Set composition. Finding inspiration in the world of couture, dazzling creations emerge.

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Sit back and relax

  • Plan your journey 
  • As 12 participants embark alongside 2 gemologists
  • Over the course of 2 hours
  • In French

High-quality education

L'ÉCOLE as education and research center has a scientific council.

A very unique faculty

All the teachers are passionate experts chosen for their enthusiasm and skill in transmitting their knowledge.

Generosity

Skills are presented with ease in an enjoyable way, hands-on experience and dialogue. Classes are for everyone with no pre-requisites.

Exclusive interaction

Courses are delivered in small groups to allow students to discuss one-on-one with the experts.

Initiation courses

On an “à la carte” basis courses offered to all those who want to learn and become enlightened amateurs.