Voice of Jewels

[Myths and legends of gems] E02⏐The Final Mysteries of the Great Blue Diamond

The Hope Diamond has lived through its own veritable Odyssey. From the time of its first sale in London at the beginning of the 18th century, all the way to its sudden appearance in Washington, hidden in a brown paper envelope with a two dollar postmark …

This fabulous blue diamond is now at home under high-security glass in the Smithsonian Institute. And yet, this heavenly-colored gem still oozes with secrets and mysteries that have yet to be brought to light.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Lætitia Gilles-Guéry, Gemologist and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Myths and legends of gems] E01⏐The Jade Bracelets of China’s Empress Cixi

This is the penultimate chapter in the story of Cixi, Empress Dowager of the Qing dynasty, renowned for her enduring love of different types of jade. Even more precious than gold or diamonds, jade is considered the ultimate good luck charm. Over time, it has become a symbol associated with China’s emperors and empresses. Steeped in legends and myths, jade is believed to bring wisdom to all those who wear it... and maybe even eternal life.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

Discover the myths and legends of gems of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

Since the dawn of time, precious stones have been a source of wonder. Their beauty is such that secret virtues are sometimes attributed to them. Thus, the rarest gemstones have accompanied princes and princesses, adventurers and poets… 

Voice of Jewels adorns itself in green, blue, and a myriad of iridescent reflections, inviting you to rediscover the legends and histories of these precious gemstones. 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S11E04 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐Peridot, the gem that fell from the sky

My name is peridot. I am a transparent green gemstone. I was discovered by chance in the center of Patagonia… But I arrived there after a long and perilous journey through stars and sky. While most peridot stones are born in the Earth’s crust, my origin is rather different… I am extraterrestrial. 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guery, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.   

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S11E03 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐The great journey of precious red coral

What am I? A mineral? A plant? Or... an animal?  I am called Corallium rubrum, Precious Red Coral, and I have sparked many lively debates in my time! Not only was my classification difficult to determine but to find me, curiosity is required... I am hard to find! One has to dive deep into the depths.  

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. 

With the participation of Ann Lee, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.  

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S11E02 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐The Blue Routes of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis-lazuli…The blue stone… Pliny the Elder described me as “a fragment of the starry firmament.” My color—ultramarine, a deep blue flecked with gold—has led many to believe that I am the gem of the gods. I have traveled practically all around the world and have even given rise to one of the oldest trade routes… 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guery, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.   

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S11E01 - Voyage of Gemstones⏐The dazzling rise of the diamond

I am the Cullinan Diamond, and I come from far away. Very far away, in fact. From the farthest reaches of the Universe and the depths of the Earth. Let me tell you about my remarkable journey… 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. 

With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guery, gemologist and professor at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.  

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

Delve into the Voyage of Gemstones

One might think that gemstones, natural treasures adorning jewelry and ornaments, are static and immutable. But the reality is rather different and their history is one of constant movement. 

In this season, be prepared to traverse the layers of the Earth with the diamond, to wander Oriental trade routes in search of lapis lazuli, to explore the seas on the hunt for precious coral, and to discover a strange peridot ... fallen from the sky. 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. 

With the participation of Laetitia Gilles Guerry, and Ann Lee, gemologists and professors at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.  

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

[Precious romances] E04⏐Rihanna's Wedding Grillz, or the Making of a Myth

Ever wondered why lovers kneel on one knee to ask, “will you marry me”? It’s actually less about the kneeling - it’s more about the ring…

Engagement rings are part of a tradition which dates back to Ancient Rome. They symbolized a legally binding commitment, reserved for the most solemn of oaths. Pretty unromantic...

Things have changed quite a bit since ancient times… asking somebody’s hand is something very passionate… and today, any kind of jewel can be used for an engagement.. rings, earrings, a bracelet, watch, or a necklace... Some people prefer to embrace tradition, others like to rock the boat… Just like American rapper A$AP Rocky when he proposed to girlfriend and pop icon, Rihanna…

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Professor of Art History and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Precious romances] E03⏐La Peregrina

Richard Burton, one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, decided to give his beloved an extraordinary piece of jewelry... For Richard’s heart belonged to a star. An immense, internationally renowned star by the name of Elizabeth Taylor.

And his gift is unlike any other... It's a royal pearl, once worn by the queens of England and Spain: La Peregrina.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, and Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Precious romances] E02⏐Napoleon’s Immortal Scarab Beetle

Can a piece of jewelry save a life? Or guarantee eternity? Napoleon Bonaparte believed this to be the case. His military campaigns around the world had already introduced him to the supernatural power of jewelry... But it was after escaping death a first time that his faith in the power of jewelry was properly set. So much so that he imagined a strange talisman, a lucky charm and symbol of his love, sculpted in the shape of… a scarab beetle!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Precious romances] E01⏐Lou's Ring, or Apollinaire's War Poems

Did you know that in the trenches of World War I, soldiers made... jewelry? In the chaos and horror of war, love still exists! But how did a simple aluminum ring, fashioned in the midst of turmoil from a German shell, end up at the heart of one of the greatest love stories in literature?

The wild love of Guillaume Apollinaire for the beautiful and rebellious Lou... This is the story of a rudimentary ring, which would eventually be set in gold... The story of a tragic passion - that of a wounded poet - which would be sublimated... in the famous Poems to Lou, a monument of French literature. This is the story... of a "war jewel"... and of love.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts and

Léonard Pouy, Professor of Art History and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

Delve into the precious romances of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

Every love story is unique. Some are secrets, others famous. Some are fairy tales, while others have a more tragic ending… Rare and elusive loves, sealed in incredible jewels.  

In this season of love, Voice of Jewels invites you to rediscover unforgettable romances symbolized by: a steel ring, a talisman shrouded in mystery, a wandering pearl… and even famous grillz! 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

[Winter tales] E04⏐The Captivating Hope Diamond

[Winter tales]

Imagine a story at times tragic yet at other times magical with a lost diamond as its common thread… a blue diamond standing for hope and fortune, love and special feelings... The Heart of the Ocean, the jewel at the core of the Titanic movie's plot.

But the Heart of the Ocean is no fictitious jewel. It was inspired by a real jewel and an equally famous diamond, the Hope diamond.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Paul Paradis, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Winter tales] E03⏐The Man with a Midas touch

[Winter tales]

From museums to exhibit spaces, one cannot stop marveling at this artist’s work. Daniel Brush had a golden touch. Painter and sculptor, Brush crafts gold with finesse and creativity, as if he were an alchemist. He can improvise with as much spontaneous creativity as a jazz musician during a jamming session…

The Second Dome is one of his most iconic creations. This small gold dome is a childhood dream come true. It’s the story of his life. Brush’s personal saga…

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Olivia Brush, artist, Daniel Brush’s wife, life and work partner for more than 50 years.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Winter tales] E02⏐The Hidden treasure of Colmar

[Winter tales] 

Some treasures tell beautiful stories. Others are connected to tragedies...

As is the case with the Jewish Treasure of Colmar.

Hidden in dramatic circumstances, it was miraculously preserved. The treasure, comprising objects of a rare luxury, along with more modest items, is the witness to a past filled with darkness, but also with light.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Winter tales] E01⏐Tolkien and the power of the ring

[Winter tales]

Some jewels have only ever existed in books, and this is probably why they are so famous. Tolkien’s rings are amongst those mythical jewels found only in fiction, created thanks to their talented author. However, Tolkien did in fact, attempt to anchor his iconic rings to a true story and it is possible that a very real jewel served as his inspiration.

This is the story of a magic ring and a curse. Of course...

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

Discover the winter selection of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

The most extraordinary tales are born when Christmas draws near... 

As winter comes, nights fall early and flames flicker in the hearth, that’s when stories come to life. Perhaps echoing the gifts we love to exchange this time of year, these tales often feature… jewels.  

During the Holiday Season, Voice of Jewels invites you to revisit episodes about the ring of power, the treasure of Colmar, the Golden Dome, and the most fantastic Blue Diamond in history! 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S10E04 - Emerald⏐The “lechuga”: the 1,400 emeralds monstrance

In Spanish, the word “lechuga” means lettuce. But it is also the nickname for a sacred object, a monstrance adorned with so many emeralds that it takes on the color of lettuce. These precious stones come from the famous mines of Colombia, known for centuries by the native populations. Even today, these mines are the source of some of the world’s most beautiful emeralds.  

The monstrance, a masterpiece of goldsmithing and a symbol of the encounter between indigenous and European cultures, has survived time and history. Now a national treasure, it once almost disappeared forever. Without a doubt, it is truly miraculous that this remarkable object can thankfully be still admired today. 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S10E03 - Emerald⏐The Buried Treasure of Prince Liangzhuang

In 2001, in the village of Dahong, nestled in the heart of China’s Hubei province, the Lunar New Year was in full swing. As fireworks illuminated the night sky, another series of explosions, muffled and more sinister, suddenly resonated deep in the nearby mountain… 

The villagers immediately realized that tomb robbers were about to strike, and they alerted the police. 

Although the location of this tomb had been known about for a long time, its contents still remained a mystery… 

Upon entering the mausoleum, after the arrest of the looters by the police, the archeologists sent by the authorities discovered a veritable treasure trove, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The find included thousands of breathtakingly beautiful objects made from gold, jade, and precious stones … as well as emeralds from the other side of the world. 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Bei He, art historian and lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S10E02 - Emerald⏐On the trail of the Topkapi Dagger

Since antiquity, emeralds have frequently been seen as symbols of eternity. Yet, paradoxically, they are often at the heart of stories where time is counted. As is the case here. This is the story of a dagger intended for Nadir Shah. 

When a story begins with a dagger, we usually expect a crime or a tragedy... But this blade is unique. Encrusted with gigantic emeralds—including some of the most spectacular ever mounted on a weapon—it fascinates. Dazzles. And for centuries, this dagger has attracted envy and attention. It even inspired a cult comedy movie by the name of Topkapi. 

But the story of Nadir Shah’s dagger is far from a comedy. It is an epic. A fresco of war and peace, of conquests and betrayals… An adventure worthy of the greatest Hollywood stories. 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

S10E01 - Emerald⏐Nero and the Emerald

In Emerald City, the enchanted city in The Wizard of Oz, everyone wears glasses with green lenses. But did you know that this practice actually dates back to ancient times? To a Roman emperor in fact, and his passion for a precious green stone: the emerald. 

For centuries, the emerald was believed to have almost magical properties, including the ability to improve eyesight. 

Fascinated by this stone, Emperor Nero always carried one with him. According to legend, he even watched chariot races while looking through an emerald. And as surprising as this may seem, some believe that this was the very first pair of sunglasses! 

Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

Discover The Emerald: a green epic

“Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City…” 

In The Wizard of Oz, as elsewhere, the emerald is synonymous with mystery, desire, and wonder. And indeed, how could one not be awed? Its hypnotic green color, its refinement, and its preciousness... A symbol of power, protection, or love, depending on the culture, it has become one of the most iconic stones in jewelry. Since antiquity, this gem has continued to fascinate and inspire stories. 

This season takes us on the discovery of emeralds: enjoy front row seats at a chariot race across ancient Rome, discover the precious belt of a Chinese prince, experience the twists and turns of a diplomatic mission between the Ottoman Empire and Persia, and participate in a procession through the streets of Bogotá, where a stunning monstrance shines a miraculous green. Allow yourself to be seduced by the irresistible charms of the emerald…  

The Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.  

With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, and Bei He, art historian and lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 

[Back to School] E04⏐A Craddle of Pearls

[Back to School]

Far from being round and regular, “baroque pearls” have strange and unique shapes. Long considered wonders of nature, they inspired goldsmiths throughout the Renaissance and into the Baroque and Neo-Classical periods. Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, known as the last descendent of the House of Medici, had a passion for such pearls.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, and Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Back to School] E03⏐A bouquet of roses by Van Cleef & Arpels

[Back to School]

Where do new ideas come from? What is the genesis of those masterpieces that have redefined Modernity?

At the beginning of the 20th century, a revolutionary artistic movement emerged, with the ambition of changing everything. This movement was Art Deco. A new style, with clean, pure lines that owes its name to an event with global repercussions, held in Paris in 1925: The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts.

At the heart of this avant-garde event, and amongst the jewels that were awarded the Grand Prix, was a bracelet. Its name: Fleurs enlacées, roses rouges et blanches or “Entwined Flowers, Red and White Roses”. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, this bracelet was the perfect combination of tradition and Modernity.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

[Back to School] E02⏐The extraordinary academician’s sword of Jean Cocteau

[Back to School]

It's well known that the sword is the prerogative of knights and musketeers. But did you know that the weapon could also be transformed into a living symbol of the talents of men and women of letters? And sometimes even into exceptional pieces of jewellery...

In 1955, Jean Cocteau faced a major challenge: to become the first academician to design his own sword.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

[Back to School] E01⏐The Infinity Gauntlet, a superpowered piece of jewelry

[Back to School]

Some superheroes draw their powers from precious stones. Well, gems, to be more precise. Gems that are endowed with the power to control time or space, or even the mind.

This is the saga of an out of this world piece of jewelry that was first published in an American comic book in the early 70’s, and now brought to the silver screen by Marvel Studios. Six primordial stones which, after they have been gathered into a gauntlet, endow their owner with a super powerful weapon called the Infinity Gauntlet.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

References :

Iron Man (vol.1)

Marvel Comics - 1973

Captain Marvel (vol.1)

Marvel Comics - 1973

Avengers

Marvel Studios - 2012

Discover the back-to-school selection of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

September is here, ushering in a wind of change. For some, it’s back to schoolbags, notebooks… a promise of knowledge that can sparks vocations and sometimes changes lives! For others, it’s the season of novels, literary revelations, and ink-and-paper gems that leave a lasting mark. 

To celebrate the new school year, Voice of Jewels invites you to brush up on your classics by revisiting episodes dedicated to a sword, a precious bouquet, a mother-of-pearl cradle, and even some infinity stones!

[Summer of Epics] E04⏐The sunken treasure of Belitung

[Summer of Epics]

Some treasures disappear forever ... but others resurface.

Like the sunken treasure of Belitung.

Once submerged in a reef, somewhere in the Java Sea, the treasure now holds pride of place, in the heart of the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore.

Presented in a display that evokes the benevolent and impetuous waves on which it once sailed, the Belitung Treasure contains remarkable riches.

It is also connected to the great history of the Silk Roads. Synonymous with human adventure, full of wonder and peril.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts;

Bei HE, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Summer of Epics] E03⏐Jackie Cochran’s Charm Necklace

[Summer of Epics]

Pilots are sometimes superstitious, and Jackie Cochran, one of the first female pilots in the American Air Force, is no exception… She is never injured and never has an accident. Her luck seems endless. But there is a reason for this, a necklace assembling a variety of lucky charms into a single object. A charm necklace…a piece of jewelry said to bring good luck wherever its wearer. Even in the skies!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

[Summer of Epics] E02⏐Corto Maltese’s Gold Earring

[Summer of Epics]

In comics, jewels are often at the core of the plot. But they also may be the hero’s attribute like in the adventures of Corto Maltese, the famous romantic pirate born out of the imagination of Italian author Hugo Pratt in 1967.

What turned Corto Maltese into an icon is precisely the jewel he always wears on his left ear : a gold hoop earring.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

References :

Corto Maltese - Vol.1 - La ballade de la mer salée

Hugo Pratt - Casterman - 1975

[Summer of Epics] E01⏐The Pre-Columbian Claw Necklace

[Summer of Epics]

Many legends have been told about the gold of Pre-Columbian civilisations of the Americas. Imagine… Finding gold deep in the middle of the jungle is a dream that has long tantalized the Western world. The peoples of South America did leave traces and genuine treasures behind them…

Among these wonders, there is an odd, striking piece which looks as sublime as it is frightening: the Zenù people’s golden claw necklace.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts and

Paul Paradis, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

Discover Summer of Epics, a summer special series from L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

Summer is the season of getaways and grand adventures! It’s the perfect time for Voice of Jewels to whisk you far from home… across turquoise waters, into emerald-colored jungles, and even up into silver-tinted clouds! 

Rediscover an impressive necklace made of golden claws, a lucky charm belonging to a fearless aviator, a pirate’s earring hiding a tender heart - and even a fabulous treasure, lost in the depths of the Java Sea. 

S09E04 - Art Deco⏐Paris-Shanghai, a dialog of styles

In Paris, in the 1920s, a myriad of languages ​​was spoken. Elegant ladies from all over the world flocked to the French capital to shop to their heart’s content. The city, a veritable crossroads of influences, drew inspiration from the most diverse sources. But if there was one country whose charms enchanted high society, it was China. Shanghai was on everyone’s lips. The exotic name made people dream, and it inspired and offered a repertoire of new forms to designers.

In the workshop of the Lacloche Brothers, a famous jewelry-making duo, traditional Chinese know-how influenced the most ambitious Art Deco creations. A door had opened onto a new world - a world that accompanied women in their desire for novelty and innovation.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

Xiaojia WANG WASZACK, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S09E03 - Art Deco⏐Josephine Baker’s secret bracelet

Can jewelry be used as an instrument in liberation or a tool in the struggle for freedom? 

It is the early 20th century. The world is abuzz with countless battles: those that tear nations apart, but also those for women’s rights.

It is in this tumultuous context that the Art Deco movement emerges.

The jewelry pieces born from this artistic movement become symbols of modernity, freedom, and audacity. In their own way, they accompany the emancipation of women, in particular in the 1920s, nicknamed the “Roaring Twenties”! Their elegance stems from their audacity, mixed with an apparent simplicity. Yet, some of these jewelry items hide unexpected secrets... and even sly war strategies, like the famous Zouzou bracelet worn by Josephine Baker!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S09E02 - Art Deco⏐Raymond Templier, a passion for speed

Movie stars have always worn jewelry. In the 1920s, the Art Deco style gradually took over red carpets and film reels. Worn by some of the greatest actresses of the day, from Louise Brooks to Brigitte Helm, Art-Deco jewelry was the epitome of modern beauty. 

Raymond Templier, one of the leading jewelry-makers of that time, seized this opportunity to free his creations from tradition, and mark his era with bold pieces, celebrating speed and pure lines.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

To go further: Raymond Templier, Le Bijou moderne by Laurence Mouillefarine and Valérie Ristelhuebe.

S09E01 - Art Deco⏐A bouquet of roses by Van Cleef & Arpels

Where do new ideas come from? What is the genesis of those masterpieces that have redefined Modernity?

At the beginning of the 20th century, a revolutionary artistic movement emerged, with the ambition of changing everything. This movement was Art Deco. A new style, with clean, pure lines that owes its name to an event with global repercussions, held in Paris in 1925: The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts.

At the heart of this avant-garde event, and amongst the jewels that were awarded the Grand Prix, was a bracelet. Its name: Fleurs enlacées, roses rouges et blanches or “Entwined Flowers, Red and White Roses”. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, this bracelet was the perfect combination of tradition and Modernity.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. 

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

Delve into the splendor of Art Deco treasures

Jewelry is often turned towards the future… In the interwar period, changes were stirring in the world of creative design. Jewelry was imbued with Modernity: radical forms, new materials, speed, lightness... These novel jewelry pieces reflected the changing standards of beauty.

In this new season, Voice of Jewels takes listeners to the heart of a creative explosion, where daring women and secrets abound, told through stunning jewels in an innovative, influential style … Art Deco.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

And, Xiaojia WANG WASZACK, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S08E04 - Treasure⏐The Secret Treasure of the High Priest of Pop Art

He is known as the most important American artist of the second half of the 20th century. A Pop icon par excellence, rumor has it that he once declared: “It would be glamorous to be reincarnated as a great big ring on Liz Taylor’s finger.” In a sense, that is exactly what he did. When he died, a veritable treasure trove was discovered, hidden in his apartment, including a small diamond heart containing plenty of secrets. Proof perhaps that fame often conceals even greater gifts...

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts;

Bei HE, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

S08E03 - Treasure⏐The Hidden treasure of Colmar

Some treasures tell beautiful stories. Others are connected to tragedies...

As is the case with the Jewish Treasure of Colmar.

Hidden in dramatic circumstances, it was miraculously preserved. The treasure, comprising objects of a rare luxury, along with more modest items, is the witness to a past filled with darkness, but also with light.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

S08E02 - Treasure⏐An Urban Treasure : The Cheapside Hoard

Treasures have been found at the bottom of the sea, in the jungle, in fields … usually far removed from human habitation. But there have been some remarkable exceptions! A few feet underground, in the middle of one of London’s busiest streets, the Cheapside wooden chest managed to conceal its secrets for three hundred years. Without doubt, the most urban treasure story imaginable.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

S08E01 - Treasure⏐The sunken treasure of Belitung

Some treasures disappear forever ... but others resurface.

Like the sunken treasure of Belitung.

Once submerged in a reef, somewhere in the Java Sea, the treasure now holds pride of place, in the heart of the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore.

Presented in a display that evokes the benevolent and impetuous waves on which it once sailed, the Belitung Treasure contains remarkable riches.

It is also connected to the great history of the Silk Roads. Synonymous with human adventure, full of wonder and peril.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts;

Bei HE, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

Discover the tales of history's great treasures

Swallowed by the sea, buried, hidden behind walls or concealed…

True treasure troves have always known the best place to hide. And when to reappear and surprise us!

Harboring tales worthy of an adventure novel, they often contain fascinating secrets.

In this new season of The Voice of Jewels, we travel from the Java Sea to the entrails of London to medieval Colmar in the east of France… We even make a visit to Andy Warhol’s room in New York!

Discover the secrets of these remarkable treasures of gold, enamel, and rubies, coming from far-flung lands like Italy, China, and Colombia!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Léonard Pouy, Art Historian and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts;

Bei HE, Art Historian and Lecturer at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

S07E04 - Literature⏐Tolkien and the power of the ring

Some jewels have only ever existed in books, and this is probably why they are so famous. Tolkien’s rings are amongst those mythical jewels found only in fiction, created thanks to their talented author. However, Tolkien did in fact, attempt to anchor his iconic rings to a true story and it is possible that a very real jewel served as his inspiration.

This is the story of a magic ring and a curse. Of course...

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S07E03 - Literature⏐Salammbô, the quintessential femme fatale and the unique brooch by René Lalique

“It was in Megara, a suburb of Carthage, in the gardens of Hamilcar…”

This is the opening sentence of Salammbô, Flaubert’s great historical novel, which has become a cult classic. Just like its heroine … the Carthaginian princess with dazzling finery and a tragic destiny.

Salammbô was a profound source of inspiration to the artists of the Belle Époque and particularly, one of its avant-garde jewelers: the audacious René Lalique.

But how did a jeweler dare to give substance to such a sensual, extravagant masterpiece?

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S07E02 - Literature⏐Sarah Bernhardt, the Jewels of The Princess Faraway

In 1895, Sarah Bernhardt, then known as ‘the empress of the theatre’, had just acquired a theatre in Paris, on the Place du Châtelet: the Théâtre de la Renaissance. And to launch it, she needed a play. Or rather: a success. Sarah Bernhardt commissioned a young up-and-coming playwright, Edmond Rostand, to write a historical drama in her honour, entitled La Princesse lointaine. To further her triumph, Sarah turned to the great jeweller René Lalique, whom she asked to make her a crown... the likes of which had never been seen before!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S07E01 - Literature⏐The extraordinary academician’s sword of Jean Cocteau

It's well known that the sword is the prerogative of knights and musketeers. But did you know that the weapon could also be transformed into a living symbol of the talents of men and women of letters? And sometimes even into exceptional pieces of jewellery...

In 1955, Jean Cocteau faced a major challenge: to become the first academician to design his own sword.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

Discover the history of these jewels from the pages of some of the most beautiful works of literature

Jewels can tell stories… they can also inspire them…

The greatest writers, actresses, and poets have forged masterpieces from jewels, gems, and precious metals. While some pieces really exist, others do so only in the realm of the imagination.

This new season of Voice of Jewels takes listeners on a journey of discovery… From a cursed gold ring to the sparkling crown of a princess in love to a most unique and unusual sword!

Listen to the history of these jewels, springing not from the entrails of the Earth but from the pages of some of the most beautiful works of literature!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.

S06E04 - Talismans⏐The Jade Bracelets of China’s Empress Cixi

This is the penultimate chapter in the story of Cixi, Empress Dowager of the Qing dynasty, renowned for her enduring love of different types of jade. Even more precious than gold or diamonds, jade is considered the ultimate good luck charm. Over time, it has become a symbol associated with China’s emperors and empresses. Steeped in legends and myths, jade is believed to bring wisdom to all those who wear it... and maybe even eternal life.

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.

S06E03 - Talismans⏐Napoleon’s Immortal Scarab Beetle

Can a piece of jewelry save a life? Or guarantee eternity? Napoleon Bonaparte believed this to be the case. His military campaigns around the world had already introduced him to the supernatural power of jewelry... But it was after escaping death a first time that his faith in the power of jewelry was properly set. So much so that he imagined a strange talisman, a lucky charm and symbol of his love, sculpted in the shape of… a scarab beetle!

Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.

With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.