The Paris-based company will make history in February 2012 by opening its first jewellery school, where students from across the globe can gain unique insight into the world of creating world-class adornments.

A favourite with Hollywood beauties from past to present, including Audrey Hepburn and Scarlett Johansson, Van Cleef & Arpels was founded in 1896 by Charles Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef, and the brand considers sharing its wealth of knowledge with connoisseurs and professionals alike to be a duty.

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"L'Ecole offers a unique opportunity to discover and learn for those who are passionate about jewellery, lovers of beauty or simply curious and anyone who wishes to acquire inside knowledge of this fascinating world," explains president Marie Vallanet-Delhom.
 

Situated in Paris's elegant Place Vendôme, where Van Cleef & Arpels opened its very first boutique, the courses will cover subjects such as interpreting gemstones, symbol and power of jewels and accessing Van Cleef & Arpels creations. Classes are available in French and English, and students can sign up to as many classes as they like depending on where their interests rest.

Enrolment for the 2012 sessions is open from November 15 and registration can be done via the website www.lecolevancleefarpels.com, where there is more information about fees and course dates.
 

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Van Cleef & Arpels isn’t the first luxury brand to share its expertise with the public. Just last month Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) ran a series of European artisan workshops, ateliers, and vineyards for two days. The luxury conglomerate allowed the public to see what goes on behind the doors at some of its most iconic labels, which include fashion houses Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Dior and jewelry makers De Beers and Chaumet.

Another company to have lifted the lid on manufacturing is Gucci, which in 2010 toured the world with its Artisan Project, which showcased production methods.