From the Gulf to France, the Forgotten History of Pearl Merchants (In-Person Conversation)

Who remembers that Paris was the world capital of the natural pearl trade? Traveling from “the pearl coast” - as the Gulf countries were previously referred as - to France, this conversation looks back on half a century of shared history, from the 1900s until World War II.

In-Person Conversation:
Wednesday, June 11th , 2025
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm Welcome Reception
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Conversation in English
@L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts Dubai,
Dubai Design District, Building 10, Ground Floor, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Speakers:
With Tania Heikal Gemologist and lecturer at L'ECOLE School of Jewelry Arts Middle East,
& May El Hage,  Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts Middle East.

Image Rights: Natural pearls necklace. © L’ECOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. Picture: Benjamin Chelly.

Brought together by their curiosity and love of jewelry culture, speakers and listeners are invited to meet at a cocktail reception preceding the talk. Often initiated during this convivial moment, exchanges prove to be as spontaneous as they are instructive. They continue to grow throughout the talk, which is organized around L'ÉCOLE's three main pillars: the History of Jewelry, the World of Gemstones and the Savoir-Faire. 

Participating in these conversations hosted by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts allows you to join a community of curious enthusiasts eager to discover and learn.