Brigitte Péry is a woman of art.
It should be emphasized that Brigitte Péry directed one of the largest high-jewelry workshops, the’Atelier Péry. The expertise and excellence of this house attracts the greatest jewelers as well as Bulgaria, Boucheron, Lacloche, Mauboussin or Van Cleef & Arpels. Thus, under Brigitte’s eyes, the quality of its pieces enriched the myth of Place Vendôme. It is a made in France that we can be proud of.
With Esprit Joaillerie, Brigitte Péry opens the book of her years of experience to share her passions and anecdotes.
What is your favorite stone?
Without a doubt, the emerald. It must be said that green appeals to me; likewise, I love gardening; it’s a passion that brings me closer to nature. So the emerald is my favorite stone.
Ring
Emeralds, Diamonds.
Around 1970
A jewel that makes me dream?
A jewel with a yellow diamond. Although I adore emeralds, I am not insensitive to yellow diamonds. This stone reminds me of the sun. The jewel that makes me dream would be a beautiful ring set with a yellow diamond of emerald cut.
How did you develop a passion for jewelry?
This passion came by chance. When I joined my father’s workshop in 1975, I was immediately passionate about this environment. I had to understand this profession. It was a great curiosity that guided me and pushed me to develop the workshop. I love jewelry, stones, the workshop. Making jewelry is exciting, especially when you work for Place Vendôme. Because you always have to go beyond yourself and offer something more beautiful, invent new things, that’s excellence. Creating a jewel is also time-consuming and the evolution of creation is also exciting. It’s understanding that sometimes you need forty drawings to create an exceptional jewel. Monitoring, looking, discussing, these are all the creative stages that are extraordinary. The men and women are also captivating; it’s an intense relationship of trust.
Tools for jewelers
A place that inspires you?
The sea, it takes me to a space of freedom.
Well… a fireplace fire, I love seeing the flames dance in a fireplace; I dream…
A reading you haven’t forgotten?
I’m not a great reader, but the books that deal with prisons touch me. It’s a difficult subject, yet it fascinates me. It’s the fact of being in a closed space, of thinking about the people who live there.
A music that you listen to?
Right now, «The Puritans of Bellini», the opera.
A work of art?
The icons. I really like the icons, the icons of the Virgin Mary, Saint Christopher … I have a beautiful memory of the Greek monasteries; it was an atmosphere that left a mark on me.
An unexpected creation from the Péry workshop?
First of all, I think of a pendant for Van Cleef & Arpels in the shape of a moon with a rubellite set at the point of landing of Apollo XI. It was on the occasion of Neil Armstrong’s first step on the Moon.
Then there are also doll brooches with little skirts representing the French provinces, made for the Van Cleef and Arpels house.
Finally, this very beautiful necklace, still made for Van Cleef & Arpels, was created for
Jacqueline Auriol, the first female test pilot in France to break the sound barrier.
Jacqueline Auriol
Diamonds, Gold. 1956
Van Cleef & Arpels
A jewel that won't leave you?
Probably a little finger ring, because I love little finger rings and earrings.
What can I wish you?
I would like to travel in a more relaxed way. It should be noted that I have traveled a lot in my life for professional reasons, so I would like to have a more free-spirited approach to my travels.
For example, Kenya and Tibet are two countries that attract me; maybe life will bring me that.
Thank you Brigitte for this journey through the history of Place Vendôme.
