A Special Evening Learning About the Mythical "Blue of France"

Opened in February 2012 on Place Vendôme in Paris, L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels illuminates the often-untold depths of jewelry and watchmaking. The school's special lecture series, "Evening Conversation," invites experts from diverse fields—artists, seasoned artisans, gemologists, and historians—to foster deeper understanding and knowledge in an intellectual salon-like setting. This marks the second such lecture held in Japan since the series first commenced in July 2013, accompanying L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels' presence here.

Themed "The Blue Diamond of the Sun King – A Gem Re-emerging from the Shadows of History –", the event featured Gislain Auclair, an instructor at L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, and François Farge, a mineralogist and professor at the French National Museum of Natural History, who discussed the legendary gemstone known as the "Blue of France."



The "Blue Diamond of the Sun King" refers to a blue gemstone purchased by King Louis XIV of France, known for his passion for jewels, from the gem merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. This massive diamond, mined in India, was stolen during the French Revolution in the 18th century and subsequently disappeared.

Later, in 2007, Professor François Farge, one of today's speakers, discovered a lead mold believed to be close to the diamond's original shape. Through various analyses of its form and weight, he confirmed it to be a replica of the lost "Blue Diamond." The special lecture also touched upon the dramatic legends surrounding the blue diamond—tales of changing owners and subsequent misfortunes—and explored its connection to the diamond currently housed at the Smithsonian Museum, often referred to as the "cursed jewel."

It was a meaningful evening that offered broad insights, from the history of the "Blue Diamond" to the structure and aesthetics of diamonds. L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, founded by the high jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels, offers lectures centered around three main themes: "Art History," "The World of Raw Stones," and "Savoir-Faire," embodying the school's philosophy of "Transmission." It presents an excellent opportunity for those interested in the world of jewelry and watchmaking, or for those seeking to deepen their understanding and knowledge, to cultivate a discerning eye. We encourage you to consider attending a lecture at L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels.