In celebration of the upcoming European Heritage Days, Cartier will be opening their famous Jewellery Institute to the public on September 16 and 17. Around 200 visitors are expected to be welcomed to discover Cartier’s legacy and expertise in jewellery making.
The Jewellery Institute first opened its doors in 2002 in an 18th century mansion, situated at the heart of the Parisian jewellery district. To this day, it provides training in the ways of the art for 150 craft artisans every year. Indeed, La Maison Cartier is among the very first brands to have developed a centre dedicated solely to perpetuating and sharing the expertise of its savoir-faire.
The tour, which takes place in groups of twelve, allows visitors to discover all three floors. The public is encouraged to explore the specially designed visitor trail and discover the techniques and handiwork involved. They can observe important processes like gem-cutting, mounting, polishing, glyptics, and casting. There is also the option to speak directly to craft artisans during the tour, and to share their own take on the official emblem.
The company uses cutting-edge technology like digital design to engage in jewellery making and craftsmanship. This innovation was evident in them co-creating the very first Digital Bachelor’s Degree with the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie (HEJ), a privileged partnership of La Maison Cartier. They also maintain close relationships with every school to showcase the scope and importance of their work. Around 50 work-study students and interns are trained every year, with twice as many eventually hired.
The tour will be completely free of charge. However, prior booking confirmation is required for attendance. Visit europeanheritagedays.com to book a tour.
