Jeweler Jean Schlumberger and Tiffany Diamond "Bird on the Rock"

Jean Schlumberger was born on June 24 in the city of Mulhouse (France), into a very wealthy family. His parents worked in the textile industry. Little Jean was often found sketching various sketches.

However, the parents saw their son in a different field, and in 1930 his father sent him to Berlin to study the banking profession. Here Jean begins to understand that the dream of parents is unrealizable, he does not see in himself abilities, and most importantly, interest in financial activities. Soon he went to Paris, where he devoted himself entirely to art.

In Paris, Schlumberger creates jewelry with porcelain flowers and precious stones. Jean's new friends appreciate his work. Elsa Schiaparelli also notices the talent of the young designer, who invites Jean Schlumberger to create jewelry and buttons for her collections. Soon he met Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dali, Louis Aragon and many other artists, poets and designers.

One by one, original jewelry appears. In 1941 Jean creates a magnificent brooch for Diana Vreeland, editor of the American Vogue magazine. The Second World War stops his further activities, Schlumberger joins the French army, serves under the command of General Charles de Gaulle.

After the war, he left France and moved to New York, where he first designed clothes for Chez Ninon. Together with his childhood friend, Paul Poiret's nephew, Nicolas Bongard, in 1947 Jean opened his own jewelry salon. He was always attracted by wildlife, especially he loved to create jewelry on the marine theme. The most fashionable women appreciated his talent, among them Elizabeth Taylor, Countess Mona von Bismarck and Diana Vreeland.

In 1956, Tiffany & Co invited Jean Schlumberger and his friend Nicolas Bongard to collaborate as vice presidents. And most importantly, a talented jeweler gets not only access to the company's precious stones, but also freedom of action. His fantastic imaginations and talent create unique masterpieces of jewelry art. "I look at nature and find strength in it."

... Brooch in the shape of a fish, necklace "Stars and Moon", sparkling with bright streams of light, brooch "Starfish", Sixteen Stone rings, which became the hallmark of Schlumberger and the most popular in the history of Tiffany, bracelets with enamel known today as Jackie's bracelets. Jacqueline Kennedy loved Schlumberger jewelry, she was often seen with enamel bracelets on her arms.

Jean Schlumberger revived the enamel technique called paillonn ?. For more than 50 years, red, blue and green bracelets have become the main accessories of every stylish woman's jewelry wardrobe. Also known is the brooch in the form of two ruby ​​strawberries with diamond leaves, presented by John F. Kennedy to his wife Jackie.

The Tiffany & Co company can be proud of many pieces of jewelry made by the talented jeweler. You can list and consider the works of art created by Schlumberger for a long time. Let us dwell on one of them, which is believed to be especially valued by the Tiffany & Co company.

- Brooch called "Bird on the Rock". The brooch includes an amazingly beautiful yellow diamond weighing 128.54 carats, for which Jean Schlumberger created a fastener in 1960.

The sun honey diamond is one of the most famous and recognizable diamonds in the world. He is recognized by his original cut and a small golden bird with a tuft, as if climbing a golden rock. Schlumberger managed to embody the miracle of nature into a unique work of art.The beautiful diamond has long become the hallmark of the Tiffany & Co jewelry house and is named after him - the Tiffany diamond.

With the help of his talent, the extraordinary creations of nature Jean Schlumberger managed to turn into stunning masterpieces of jewelry, which are admired by true connoisseurs of beauty.

The future Tiffany diamond was found in South African mines back in 1877. The crystal weighed 287 carats. Immediately after its discovery, the diamond was bought by the founder of the company, Charles Tiffany. He seemed to have a presentiment that this diamond would someday glorify his company. Charles Tiffany always relied on originality, so the extraordinary beauty of the diamond interested him. The calculation was justified, the unique crystal is known all over the world, and with it the Tiffany company.

And this is not only thanks to the honey diamond, but also to those who worked on it. And Tiffany has always been able to choose talented jewelers. The unusual cut, made by the jeweler of the company Georg Kunz, makes the diamond sparkle with the rays of the sun. In order to convey the beauty of the stone to perfection, he studied the crystal for a year. And although the stone during cutting has lost more than 2 times in weight - from 287 carats to 128, 54 carats, it was worth it. The iconic 90 facet cut conveys the unearthly beauty of a diamond.

They say that whoever sees this diamond at least once will hardly forget it. Many different facets, made by a master virtuoso, sparkle and glow, transmitting a soft honey-sunshine. The beauty of the stone has become magical. Many dreamed of buying it, but people came from distant countries to admire it.

From the moment when Jean Schlumberger saw the famous diamond, the crystal became one of the symbols of the company - "Bird on the Rock". The jeweler has inserted a magic diamond into a frame with a bird. The birdie frame, cast in platinum and gold, is additionally set with white and yellow diamonds. The bird looks from the height of the shining diamond sun with tiny ruby ​​eyes.

The Tiffany diamond, in addition to its unique beauty, has a crystal-clear soul. Bloody stories, betrayal, betrayal and tears do not follow him as a train. It belonged and belongs to only one company - Tiffany, whose name it bears.

You can see it. It is kept in the most important store of the jewelry house "Tiffany & Co", which is located in New York on the famous 5th Avenue. Yes, you can see it, but not wear it. Only two women managed to wear a diamond, only for a short time. One very wealthy person, Sheldon Whitehouse, had the privilege of advertising Tiffany jewelry at the 1957 Tiffany Ball. And another, well-known and beloved by all, actress Audrey Hepburn - on the set of the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Jean Schlumberger is one of the most gifted jewelery artists of the last century. He became one of four jewelers Tiffany & Co. allowed me to sign my works.

Jean Schlumberger died in 1987, but his designs continue to be created in the department of Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue.