The history of Chaumet dates back to 1780 and is closely interwoven with the history of France. Over five centuries, Paris has been celebrated for the magnificence of its jewelers. It was in this tradition that the founder of Chaumet, Marie-Etienne Nitot, distinguished himself in the late 18th century.
The wedding of Napoleon and Josephine de Beauharnais, and later with the Archiduchesse Marie-Louise de Habsbourg-Lorraine, niece of Queen Marie-Antoinette, brought Chaumet numerous sumptuous orders. Nitot became the most famous jeweler in Europe and built up a loyal and prestigious clientele.

Chaumet created simplified designs contained within rigid geometric outlines compatible with the boyish looks of the 1920s and the more feminine silhouette of the 1930s. This style called Art Deco from the Exposition des Arts Décoratifs held in Paris in 1925, is characterized by strong contrasts of materials, colors, and the cuts of the precious and semi-precious stones used.

Responding to the continuous social, economic and artistic changes, Chaumet has maintained its legendary reputation. Design is determined by the good taste of the contemporary Parisienne always in search of something new, different and gorgeous. Easy to wear, gold jewelry appears in a concept store.
This knowledge has continuously been passed down since two centuries, through every “chef d’atelier”. The Chaumet workshop located 12, place Vendôme, bears witness to this expertise.