Know-how

Traditional know-how and modern technology

Handmade jewelry, made in France, made in Paris

Some people are looking for handcrafted, different jewelry that is not found everywhere in the world. They like to go on an adventure, looking for a confidential address that offers them a warm and personal welcome. Uncompromising on quality, these people know how to appreciate traditional French know-how.

All my creations are handcrafted jewelry, made in France, made in Paris. They are manufactured with the greatest respect for the unequalled tradition of French artisanal jewelry.

During this meticulous craft process, many craftsmen are involved: inventing, drawing, modeling, jewelry, setting, polishing, etc. The know-how of all craftsmen is essential to achieve excellence.

Annette Girardon commence a sculpter un nouveau bijou dans un bloc en cire, à Paris, dans le quartier des artisans joailliers, garants de la tradition de la joaillerie française.

The creation of a handcrafted jewel begins with a sketch. Jeweller Annette Girardon designs custom-made earrings with fire opals and sapphires.

THE DRAWING

But first, you have to dream.

Guess the woman who will hang the necklace around her neck, slip her hand into the bracelet, prick the brooch on her clothing, attach the earrings, pass the ring on her finger.

And draw this dream.

MODELLING

Once the future jewel “invented” and designed, it must be transposed into three dimensions. I can model it with 3D software and then have it printed on a 3D wax printer.

Annette Girardon, a Parisian jeweller, carving a handcrafted wax jewel by hand. The future engagement ring will be melted in Paris.

THE MOCK-UP

Often, I prefer to sculpt it by hand.

This older technique is better adapted to certain jewellery.

THE MELTING

The wax models from the 3D printer and the hand-sculpted models will then be transformed into metal by the lost-wax casting process.

The manufacturing process of a quality Paris jewellery is specialized. Each artisan jeweller has a specific task. Here, the jeweler filing a raw piece of jewelry in Paris

THE JEWELRY

The future jewel, is reworked, refined by the jeweler who files, emerges, welds, adjusts…

A craftsman, specialized in stone setting, Here, a stone is being set in a handcrafted jewel according to french jewelry tradition.

THE SETTING

The setter fixes the stones. Depending on their fragility, their number, this incredibly meticulous work, can take weeks, sometimes months. The craftsman’s talent, in particular the care he takes in finishing, contributes significantly to the overall appearance of the jewel. A “tight” setting, when the metal between the stones becomes almost invisible, characterizes a work of excellence.

THE ENGRAVING

The engraver sometimes intervenes to decorate the surfaces or to bring the signature of the jewelry brand.

In France, precious metal jewellery must be stamped. You can see here the place where this guarantee was granted. Nowadays, many jewellers punch in their workshop.

THE CONTROL

In France, we mainly use 18-carat* gold. The precious metal alloy, which is essential (pure gold would be too soft), is controlled by the State, which punches each piece of jewellery, thus guaranteeing the composition of the metal.

*The carat is the 24th part of fine gold contained in a gold mass. 18 carats = 18/24ths = 3/4 pure gold.