MajorsJul 11, 2024
David Yurman Names 7 NBA Players as Brand AmbassadorsMajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High Jewelry
The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
Chaumet, a Parisian jeweler owned by LVMH, has designed the Olympic and Paralympic Games medals.
Paris—Chaumet has made its mark as the first jeweler in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
The LVMH-owned brand’s creative team worked with the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, led by Olympic canoeist Tony Estanguet, to create the medals, first revealing them in February.
“This first ever Olympic medal created by a jeweler is emblematic of LVMH’s role as creative partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024,” said Antoine Arnault of LVMH Image and Environment.
“In a close creative dialogue between Paris 2024 and Chaumet, the artisans of the maison delved into their archives and explored powerful symbols of Olympism to imagine a medal inspired by high jewelry creations. Building on its centuries of rich history, Chaumet is writing a new page that will remain engraved in the heritage of the Maison for eternity.”
One side of the medal pays tribute to Paris while the other showcases the design heritage of Chaumet and the history of the Olympic Games.
“The medal design is both confident and bold, perfectly matched to the sporting feats of the athletes,” said LVMH.
The LVMH-owned brand’s creative team worked with the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, led by Olympic canoeist Tony Estanguet, to create the medals, first revealing them in February.
“This first ever Olympic medal created by a jeweler is emblematic of LVMH’s role as creative partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024,” said Antoine Arnault of LVMH Image and Environment.
“In a close creative dialogue between Paris 2024 and Chaumet, the artisans of the maison delved into their archives and explored powerful symbols of Olympism to imagine a medal inspired by high jewelry creations. Building on its centuries of rich history, Chaumet is writing a new page that will remain engraved in the heritage of the Maison for eternity.”
One side of the medal pays tribute to Paris while the other showcases the design heritage of Chaumet and the history of the Olympic Games.
“The medal design is both confident and bold, perfectly matched to the sporting feats of the athletes,” said LVMH.
The medal features a series of rays, symbolizing the radiance of Paris, also known as the City of Lights, with the medals’ faceting meant to reflect light.
“At the same time, it imparts a special brilliance to the athletes who will wear the medals around their necks. These rays engraved in the metal breathe dynamism and life into this exceptional object,” said LVMH.
As is tradition, the metals used were gold, silver, and bronze, but the designers also added something special.
The hexagon-shaped center of each medal is an authentic piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower, preserved during the monument’s renovation, allowing the winners to keep a piece of Paris close to their hearts.
The iron center was set using a technique called “griffe setting,” which Chaumet uses for gemstones in its high jewelry pieces.
“This setting evokes the ‘Clous de Paris’ hobnail motif found in fine jewelry, as well as the pattern of rivets on the Eiffel Tower itself,” said the brand.
The hexagon shape is meant to be a symbol of both France and Chaumet, who has often incorporated the eight-sided shape into its jewelry.
The reverse side, which is the same for all games, depicts the story of the rebirth of the modern Olympic Games in Greece.
Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, is shown against the backdrop of the Acropolis leaving the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first Modern Olympics were held in 1896.
In honor of the host city, the Eiffel Tower stands beside the Acropolis.
“For the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Paris 100 years later, we had to revive this symbol in an exceptional way,” said Clémentine Massonnat, creative director of Chaumet, in a video about the creative process.
Paris previously hosted the 1924 Summer Olympics.
For the Paralympic medals, Chaumet’s team was given carte blanche, said the brand.
The obverse side depicts a view from the foot of the Eiffel Tower, as if a visitor or Parisian was looking up at it.
The “Paris 2024” inscription is also engraved in universal braille for accessibility and to honor the language’s French inventor, Louis Braille.
The red or blue ribbons on the medals were inspired by the tapered lines of the Eiffel Tower.
“More than a medal, this is a combination of the most coveted object of the Games and the most iconic symbol of Paris and France, the Eiffel Tower,” said Estanguet, who is also president of Paris 2024.
“Thanks to Chaumet, the medal for the Paris 2024 Games becomes a veritable objet d’art, a jewel that brings together the radiance of Paris and the crowning achievement of all those who will ascend the podiums during the Olympics and Paralympics.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
