gripoix

Founded in Paris in 1869 by glassworker Augustine Gripoix, the House of Gripoix is a legendary couture jeweler celebrated for its mastery of pâte de verre, or poured glass. Augustine revived and perfected this ancient technique, which involves melting vibrant glass and pouring it into intricate metal settings to mimic precious gemstones. This innovative process allowed for greater creativity and purity of color, first attracting clients like actress Sarah Bernhardt and early couturiers such as Charles Frederick Worth and Paul Poiret. However, Gripoix’s legacy was cemented through its transformative, lifelong collaboration with Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, which began in the 1920s under the direction of Augustine’s daughter, Suzanne. Together, they created the iconic Byzantine-style jewelry that became a Chanel signature, blending imitation stones and baroque pearls with a bold, fashionable sensibility.

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