Reminiscing a day immersed in brilliance at – L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

Few years ago I had an incredible opportunity to visit L’ÉCOLE, and it was nothing short of magical. Walking through the halls where art, history, and craftsmanship intersect was an inspiring experience.

One highlight was seeing how Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic pieces are brought to life – starting with meticulous paper designs and pewter models before becoming the breathtaking masterpieces we admire. The level of detail and artistry behind each creation is simply awe-inspiring.

And then came the Cullinan diamonds. Seeing the replicas of the 9 legendary stones cut from the original Cullinan diamond up close was absolutely mesmerizing! 💎

🔹 Cullinan I (530.2 carats) – The Sovereign’s Sceptre

🔹 Cullinan II (317.4 carats) – The Imperial State Crown

🔹 Cullinan III & IV – 94.4 & 63.3 carats, worn as a brooch by Queen Mary

🔹 Cullinan VI, VII, VIII & IX – Featured in pieces like the Delhi Durbar necklace and royal rings

Their sparkle… their story… their presence—unforgettable.

To top it off, I had an opportunity to explored the exhibition: "The Fabulous Destiny of Tavernier’s Diamonds: From the Great Mogul to the Sun King." This exhibit traces the fascinating journey of 20 historic diamonds once owned by Louis XIV—many of them now lost to history but beautifully replicated through years of expert research by L’ÉCOLE and the National Museum of Natural History.

From the mines of Golkonda to the courts of Versailles, it was a story of wonder, ambition, and global connection through the ages.

A brilliant reminder of how human creativity can transform nature into timeless beauty.