IndependentsAug 09, 2023
Philadelphia’s Bar-Kay Jewelers to Close After 75 Years IndependentsSep 07, 2023
Jean Dousset Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Opens First Store
The company helmed by a Cartier descendant now has a West Hollywood outpost.
Angular diamond facets inspired the interior and façade of the new Jean Dousset store in West Hollywood, California, the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location.
West Hollywood, Calif.—The Cartier descendant behind Paris Hilton’s engagement ring has opened the first store under his namesake line.
The Jean Dousset flagship opened its doors Sept. 6 at 607 La Cienega Blvd. in West Hollywood, California.
“Timing, confidence, and opportunity converged as we proudly unveil our first flagship boutique, marking the culmination of my transformative journey as a designer and a total paradigm shift in the global diamond industry,” said Dousset.
“With a physical retail presence, consumers can see the perfection of designer lab diamonds firsthand while adding that experiential element in acquiring the diamond jewelry they desire.”
Dousset is the great-great-grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier. Dousset cut his teeth working for other Parisian high jewelers like Chaumet, Boucheron, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The jeweler made the move to Los Angeles to open the Van Cleef & Arpels Beverly Hills showroom and never left, venturing out on his own in 2010 to specialize in diamond engagement rings for a celebrity clientele.
In 2020, he launched a lab-grown diamond jewelry company, Oui by Jean Dousset, which has since rebranded to Jean Dousset.
At the new store, customers can learn about the science behind lab-grown diamonds in person.
The Jean Dousset flagship opened its doors Sept. 6 at 607 La Cienega Blvd. in West Hollywood, California.
“Timing, confidence, and opportunity converged as we proudly unveil our first flagship boutique, marking the culmination of my transformative journey as a designer and a total paradigm shift in the global diamond industry,” said Dousset.
“With a physical retail presence, consumers can see the perfection of designer lab diamonds firsthand while adding that experiential element in acquiring the diamond jewelry they desire.”
Dousset is the great-great-grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier. Dousset cut his teeth working for other Parisian high jewelers like Chaumet, Boucheron, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The jeweler made the move to Los Angeles to open the Van Cleef & Arpels Beverly Hills showroom and never left, venturing out on his own in 2010 to specialize in diamond engagement rings for a celebrity clientele.
In 2020, he launched a lab-grown diamond jewelry company, Oui by Jean Dousset, which has since rebranded to Jean Dousset.
At the new store, customers can learn about the science behind lab-grown diamonds in person.
Architecture firm Design, Bitches collaborated with founder and company head Jean Dousset on the flagship store’s look and feel.
The store’s interior is filled with warm neutral shades. Angular furnishings that reference diamond facets give an almost primitive feel.
Custom displays house lab-grown diamond engagement rings and jewelry, while a small salon is intended for consultations.
A close-up of a jewelry vitrine custom-built into the wall and a chiseled plaster table
The “heritage wall” references designer Jean Dousset’s rich jewelry heritage.
Imagined and executed by architecture firm Design, Bitches, the 550-square-foot space is meant to reflect the meticulous process of creating a diamond, from growing the rough to polishing the final finished stone.
The fragmented steel and glass store façade is an ode to a diamond’s facets.
The bold, angular storefront design is echoed in the interior’s mirrors, custom display cases, and furnishings, like a chiseled plaster table.
The brand’s signature engagement rings are displayed throughout, while nods to Dousset’s heritage are contained within one “heritage wall” that features pictures of Dousset’s family, including Louis-François Cartier.
A back room facilitates private appointments for clients to design their custom treasures.
“The first of its kind, the Jean Dousset boutique represents the spirit of the brand: no compromises and the freedom to indulge oneself through creativity,” said Rebecca Rudolph, co-founder of Design, Bitches.
“Our collaboration with Jean has been liberating. We developed a new way to work, inspired by his passion for design, his quest to push the boundaries of craft, and his drive to break down the barriers surrounding luxury spaces.”
Designer Jean Dousset
The store also showcases lab-grown diamond jewelry pieces from Dousset’s many collections, including the latest, a high jewelry assortment of special, one-of-a-kind offerings.
Priced between $24,800 and $168,000, the high jewelry collection’s 20-plus pieces include high-wattage two-stone rings, diamond solitaires, eternity bands, and tennis necklaces.
The Jean Dousset flagship will be open for business weekly Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsDec 24, 2024
Nordstrom Family, Partner to Take Retailer Private in $6B DealMembers of the founding family have partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to acquire Nordstrom.
MajorsDec 24, 2024
Boucheron Bets on Las VegasThe brand has opened its second U.S. location in the Fontainebleau resort and casino.
EditorsDec 24, 2024
The Spectrum Jewels I Want to Find Under the Tree Associate Editor Lauren McLemore highlights pieces from the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards she’d be thrilled to unwrap on Christmas.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
SourcingDec 24, 2024
Gemfields to Temporarily Suspend Emerald MiningThe move is one of several cost-cutting measures outlined by the company as it faces a weaker luxury market and other challenges.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsDec 23, 2024
My Favorite Piece of the Week Jewels of 2024Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
GradingDec 23, 2024
GIA Adds Filler Identification to Emerald ReportsLab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
