Decades before luxury French jewelry maisons such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier were born, Marie-Étienne Nitot (1750–1809) founded the house that became the internationally esteemed Chaumet, which, for centuries, has created timeless necklaces, watches, rings, tiaras and other jewelry and accessories for royalty as well as Hollywood luminaries.
Before opening his own jewelry house, Nitot worked as an apprentice to Ange-Joseph Aubert, court jeweler to Marie Antoinette, and collaborated on pieces for the Queen. In 1780, he left Aubert’s side to open his own maison.
Surviving the upheaval of the French Revolution, Nitot soon found lavish commissions with the new people in power. The Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte longed for France to once again be the epicenter of luxury, making himself the fashionable face of the prospering country. Nitot’s commissions for Napoléon began with the papal tiara for Pope Pius VII that included a 414-carat emerald among its thousands of precious stones and the 1804 coronation sword, a decadent piece that featured the 140-carat Regent diamond.
The young jewelry house soon became the official jeweler of the Imperial Court, the personal jeweler of Empress Joséphine and one of the most sought-after jewelers in Europe. Chaumet’s work in this era helped popularize the tiara as a status symbol, with ornate pieces designed for Joséphine and Empress Marie-Louise, Napoléon’s second wife.
After Nitot died in 1809, his son, François-Regnault, took over in 1812 and moved the maison into the Place Vendôme, making it the first business to occupy the Parisian center of luxury. By then, Chaumet had included timepieces in its offerings, such as bracelet watches adorned with precious gemstones and equipped with movements made by Breguet (which opened a shop on Place Vendôme in 1933).
After the fall of the Napoléon Empire, successors Jean-Baptiste and Jules Fossin focused more on romantic styles of jewelry that referenced the past and nature, an approach carried on by Valentin and Prosper Morel. It was Joseph Chaumet, director from 1885 to 1928, who gave the maison its illustrious name and brought it into the 20th century with jewelry, accessories and tiaras inspired by the extravagant decor of the Belle Époque.
Later, with Joseph’s son, Marcel Chaumet, succeeding him, the house would be featured at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris — from which the term Art Deco derives — and, alongside the likes of Cartier, would be seen as a leader in introducing the flamboyantly geometric designs and high-contrast color pairings of Art Deco jewelry to the global stage.
Chaumet has adapted over the years to meet changing tastes and trends. The house still reigns in the world of luxury jewelry, celebrating its 240th anniversary in 2020. Since 1999, it has been part of the LVMH Group. Its salons and high jewelry workshop continue to operate in the Place Vendôme where gem-setters, polishers and jewelers craft rings, earrings, watches and enduringly popular tiaras.
Find an exquisite range of authentic vintage Chaumet jewelry on 1stDibs.
Rare Bvlgari Bulgari Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Purple Amethyst Ring with Box
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Bvlgari Deep Purple Amethyst Tronchetto 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Beautiful domed purple amethyst set in a fine 18k yellow gold tension set ring. In excellent condition, has been ...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co Paloma Picasso Large 12mm Purple Amethyst Sugarstack 18k Gold Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso Purple Amethyst Sugar Stack 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Large stone size, rare piece. A beautiful sugarloaf purple ameth...
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Vivid Purple Amethyst Heart Cut 18k Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Tiffany & Co. Vivid Purple Amethyst Heart Cut 18k Yellow Gold Band Ring. A beautifully made yellow gold ring set with a stunning vivid purple heart cut natural amethyst...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Purple Amethyst Rose Cut 18k White Gold Solitaire Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Tiffany & Co. Vivid Purple Amethyst Rose Cut 18k White Gold Bezel Solitaire Ring. A beautifully made white gold ring set with a stunning vivid purple natural amethyst. Superb c...
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Cartier Diamond Ruby Daphne 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Domed Ring EU52
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Diamond & Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Daphne Ring. Stunning yellow gold Cartier ring set with a beautiful 4mm centre diamond with F/G Colour and VVS cl...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.59 Carat Natural Deep Purple Sapphire Oval Cut 18 Karat Gold Solitaire Ring
By Gems and Jewels UK
Located in Birmingham, GB
Natural Deep Purple Sapphire Oval Cut 18k Multi Tone Gold Solitaire Ring. 1.59 Carat sapphire with a stunning deep purple colour and excellent clarity, a very clean stone. This sap...
Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Verdura 18K Gold Platinum Amethyst Diamond Bombe Ring, 2.5ct
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
A striking expression of Fulco di Verdura’s sculptural aesthetic, this ring centers a richly saturated sugarloaf cabochon amethyst within a bombe cluster of pavé-set diamonds. The ha...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
32.78ct Amethyst Cushion Ring with Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The stunning ring showcases a captivating centerpiece—a faceted cushion amethyst weighing an impressive 32.78 carats. The mesmerizing purple hue of the amethyst is enhanced by the su...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
La Nouvelle Bague 18 Karat Yellow and Rose Gold Ring with Amethyst and Diamond
By Nouvelle Bague
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 18 karat rose and yellow gold ring is designed by the world renowned Italian company La Nouvelle Bague. They are known for their exquisite enamel work, and their...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21.43 Carat Cabochon Cut Amethyst and 1.07 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 21.43 carat amethyst and 1.07 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning vintage cabochon cut amethyst and diamond ring has been crafted in 14k yellow gold. The substantial, pierced decorated setting is ornamented with a central claw set 21.43Ct oval cabochon cut amethyst. The amethyst is surrounded by a total of twelve individually white gold set bezel set Old European cut diamonds, alternating with a yellow gold bead. The lower portion of the elevated setting is ornamented with a pierced decorated scale-motif. The pierced decorated ring shoulders are embellished with a further eight diamonds, individually bezel set to each scale design. The plain convex shank joins the lower portion of the shoulders, completing the substantial design. This vintage oval cabochon amethyst ring has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 14k gold. The ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. Images do not always reflect the true color and brilliance of gemstones and diamonds. The video however provides a truer representation of the actual color and showcases each stone. Condition This stunning vintage gemstone cocktail ring is fine quality, set with an impressive oval amethyst, displaying fine color, brilliance and presence. The high color graded diamonds display a fine white color and brilliance. The ring is a very good gauge of gold and is in excellent condition. Amethyst Quality Cut Cabochon Content 21.43 carats Dimensions 18.26mm x 14.77mm x 12.75mm Diamond Quality Color (average grades) I Clarity (average grades) SI2 Cut Old European Content 1.07 carats Dimensions Length of setting 2.6cm/1.02" Width of setting 2.31cm/0.91" Height of setting 1.75cm/0.69" Ring Size UK Size I USA Size 4 1/4 The ring size may be professionally adjusted in size on request to meet your personal requirements. Weight 15.31 grams Date: Circa 1960 Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this fine example of vintage amethyst jewelry...
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970's Large Vintage 14k Gold Amethyst Ring, 30ct Oval Gem with Diamonds
Located in Great Neck, NY
A bold statement piece from the 1970s, this substantial cocktail ring showcases a magnificent natural amethyst measuring approximately 22.0 x 12.0 mm (around 30 carats). The oval-cut...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Impressive Amethyst Two Tone Ring with Diamonds
By Unbranded
Located in New York, NY
-Custom made -18 k Yellow & White Gold -Ring size: 7 -Amethyst: 6.00 ct -Diamond: 0.53ct -Width: 4- 16mm -Weight: 11.8gr Original Retail: $5500
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
