Van Cleef & Arpels Collaret necklace, 1929: Platinum, emeralds, diamonds, from the former collection of Her Royal Highness Princess Faiza of Egypt. Photo: Courtesy Van Cleef & Arpels
After Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Dubai is now all set to become home to the fourth permanent campus of L’École School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. And in true Dubai fashion, the milestone moment is being celebrated in the grandest of manners — with a special jewelry exhibition titled “Garden of Emeralds”.
Take a peek inside the “Garden of Emeralds” exhibit
A mesmerizing tour that takes visitors through the lifespan of the beautiful green gemstone, “Garden of Emeralds” is part of the “Discover the Gemstones” series and features all varieties of the large beryl gemstone family —think emeralds, aquamarines, morganites and heliodors. The exhibit presents guests with emerald-related research carried out by L’École School of Jewelry Arts, starting from the inception of the stone deep inside the earth when elements unite, to the many processes that result in a final, glistening piece of jewelry.
Split into three main sections — nature, craftsmanship and symbolism — “Garden of Emeralds” also displays some incredible treasures. Guests can expect to see rough and cut specimens from the collections of the Mineralogy Museum Mines ParisTech, like the whopping 33kg Zambian emerald cluster specimen named Goliath, as well as rare pieces from both, Van Cleef & Arpels and private collectors, like HRH Princess Faiza of Egypt’s iconic Collaret necklace from 1929. Also available to view at the exhibit will be rare jewelry pieces loaned by VIP clients from the Middle East, and original gouache drawings that illustrate the full range of nuances of this gem.
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Everything you need to know about L’École School of Jewelry Arts in Dubai
Founded back in 2012 in Paris, L’École School of Jewelry Arts has always aimed to spread jewelry culture to the world. The institution, whose Middle Eastern space will be located in the creative hub of Dubai Design District, will be open to all, from beginners to collectors and everyone in between. L’École has already made a niche for itself among jewelry enthusiasts around the globe, and will offer a vast selection of programs, ranging from in-person courses to online editions, as well as talks, temporary exhibits, publications and research projects. Following “Garden of Emeralds”, L’École will be hosting free temporary exhibitions in the future as well in an effort to educate the world about jewelry and the history behind it.
As for its location, L’École School of Jewelry Arts will be just a stone throw’s away from the Vogue Arabia HQ, in the heart of Dubai Design District. A hub brimming with leading creative businesses, talent and entrepreneurs from around the world, d3 is also home to some of the city’s most exciting events, from Dubai Design Week to Dubai Fashion Week. “Dubai’s magnet for iconic creative brands and brilliant talent is growing stronger. The arrival of institutes like L’École takes our efforts a step further, providing creative minds the opportunity to sharpen their skills and craft original, innovative designs. Ensuring such brands continue to find a space and community that fits their needs and ethos is a priority for d3, and it enriches our creative ecosystem with new ideas, ingenuity and talent,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3.
The L’École space itself has been put together by designer, interior architect and scenographer Constance Guisset, who focused on creating a soothing atmosphere with pops of color to keep things light. For anyone who’s ever had a soft spot for the finer things in life, this promises to become a favorite spot for learning and meeting likeminded individuals.
