Lapidary Technician

Posted Mar 16, 2026

Van Cleef & Arpels — Paris seeks a Lapidaire (lapidary technician) to cut, polish and finish gemstones for high‑jewellery.

Overview

Van Cleef & Arpels is a Parisian maison of haute joaillerie renowned for its poetic designs and exceptional artisanal savoir‑faire. As part of the Richemont group, the house combines traditional handcraftsmanship with rigorous quality standards applied to every stage of jewellery creation.

Role & Responsibilities

Cut, preform, facet and polish precious and semi‑precious stones to meet haute‑joaillerie specifications and aesthetic brief.
Evaluate rough material and determine optimal cutting strategies that maximise colour, clarity and yield while respecting design constraints.
Execute precision finishing to ensure stones fit settings exactly; perform final quality control and approve stones for assembly.
Collaborate closely with gemologists, design teams and bench jewellers to translate creative intent into technical execution.
Maintain lapidary equipment, wheels and consumables; adhere to maintenance schedules and workshop safety protocols.
Document work performed, record stone provenance and characteristics, and ensure traceability in line with internal procedures.
Mentor and assist junior technicians or apprentices when required; contribute to continuous improvements in processes and standards.

Qualifications

Vocational training or certification in lapidary arts, gemology, or equivalent apprenticeship (CAP/BEP or equivalent preferred).
Proven track record in cutting and finishing coloured gemstones used in high‑jewellery.
Exceptional manual dexterity, steady hand and keen visual acuity under magnification.
Deep understanding of gem materials, cleavage, inclusion types and optical properties.
Strong commitment to precision, discretion and the exacting quality standards of luxury jewellery manufacture.

Skills

Gem cutting, preforming, faceting and polishing Stone assessment: colour, clarity and cut optimisation Precision hand finishing under magnification Fine measurement and tolerance control Workshop safety and equipment maintenance Collaboration with gemologists and bench jewellers

Experience

Typically 3+ years of hands‑on lapidary experience within a high‑jewellery house, specialised lapidary studio, or equivalent artisanal environment; demonstrable examples of work on coloured gemstones are required.

Education

Vocational diploma or formal apprenticeship in lapidary work, gemology, or jewellery bench skills; industry certification or recognised gemological training is advantageous.

Culture

The atelier culture emphasises meticulous craftsmanship, respect for material provenance and collective pride in artisanal excellence. The workplace values long‑term skill transmission, close collaboration between métiers and a quiet dedication to perfection characteristic of Parisian haute joaillerie.