Senior Jeweller, Technical Expert — High Jewellery Development
Van Cleef & Arpels — Paris: Senior Jeweller, Technical Expert for High Jewellery Development role.
Overview
Van Cleef & Arpels is a storied maison of haute joaillerie renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, poetic design language and artisanal workshops. As part of the Richemont group, the brand combines heritage-led creativity with rigorous technical standards and international retail and manufacturing operations.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead technical development of high jewellery models from design brief to finished prototype, ensuring manufacturability and fidelity to creative intent.
- Produce and validate technical drawings, specifications and assembly sequences for complex pieces, including stone setting, pavé, and articulated mechanisms.
- Supervise prototyping and finishing phases in internal workshops and with external partners; manage iterations to meet quality, cost and timing targets.
- Collaborate closely with design, sourcing/gemstone teams, quality control and production to anticipate technical constraints and propose engineering solutions.
- Provide technical expertise and mentorship to junior jewellers and bench staff; establish best-practice standards and workmanship guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with workshop safety, material traceability and the Maison's quality standards throughout the development cycle.
Qualifications
- Recognised vocational qualification in jewellery-making, goldsmithing or equivalent (e.g. CAP/BMA or technical diploma); advanced apprenticeship or specialised training preferred.
- Deep specialist knowledge of haute joaillerie techniques: complex stone setting, pavé, micromechanics and precious-metal fabrication.
- Ability to read and produce precise technical drawings and specifications for production.
- Fluent French; professional working proficiency in English preferred.
- High standards of manual dexterity, attention to micro-detail and a demonstrable track record in luxury jewellery workmanship.
Skills
Experience
Senior-level experience in haute joaillerie development; typically 8+ years working on complex, one-off or limited-edition high-jewellery creations within an established maison or specialised atelier, with demonstrable examples of technical problem-solving and prototype delivery.
Education
Vocational qualification in jewellery-making or goldsmithing (CAP/BMA or equivalent). Advanced technical or specialised jewellery training preferred.
Culture
The Maison emphasises artisanal excellence, meticulous attention to detail and a collaborative dialogue between creative and technical teams. Van Cleef & Arpels fosters a workshop culture where traditional handcraftsmanship is combined with selective technological tools to produce exceptional, atelier-quality pieces.