Louis Edouard Le Jeune: Being a Jeweller Includes Many Other Job Titles

November 30, 2016

By Katerina Perez

4 min read

Nothing in Louis Edouard Le Jeune’s past could have predicted his current career as a jeweller since his family had no connection to this craft. However, with his father being a surgeon and his mother – an actor, the combination of precision and meticulousness as well as creativity and imagination found in his parents’ careers has become uncannily fundamental to Louis Edouard’s approach to jewellery making.

Based in the heart of the Village Royal in Paris, this independent jeweller could have fallen prey to the competition of larger luxury corporations. However, he did not because, as Louis Edouard says, ‘the fine jewellery industry seems to be more marketing-driven than ever; that is why a ‘house’ like mine makes a difference. I can offer unique personalised attention, true luxury.’

Aged 22 Louis Edouard had a revelation in an artisan’s workshop while accompanying his brother to choose an engagement ring and swiftly abandoning his engineering studies. He joined L’École du Louvre in Paris to study jewellery and trained in a professional workshop for 18 months after his graduation. In 1980 Louis Edouard launched his own business and offered restoration of antique jewels to his clients. They were so impressed with his advice and objective care that they ended up increasingly entrusting him with commissions. Benefiting from word of mouth, he gained excellent reputation in exclusive circles in the late 1980s which led him to creating precious objects for luxury brands and royalty alike (e.g. Hassan II, late king of Morocco).

Louis Edouar Le Jeune Jasmine collection rings with peridot and garnets

Louis Edouar Le Jeune Jasmine collection rings with peridot and garnets

Olivier Dupon speaks with Louis Edouard, whose approach to jewellery making some may wrongly describe as old school. In Olivier’s opinion the French jeweller is a custodian of values all the more covetable as they are rare in today’s consumerist world.

Olivier Dupon: What is behind your passion for jewellery?

Louis Edouard Lejeune: After a few years spent working as a jeweller in an independent workshop, I decided to create a jewellery house with a boutique attached to an on-site production workshop. And no better location was than at the Village Royal in Paris! Known for attracting a highly demanding clientele, it is there that I understood how utterly fascinating joaillerie is. I have now been working in this field for 30 years, and still to this day, I keep unearthing hidden connections between jewellery and the wider culture, improving my knowledge of gemstones, and being amazed by “the sky’s the limit” in jewellery.

OD: What encompasses being a jeweller?

LEL: My parents always thought I was a daydreamer and bit of a poet when I was a child. Only now can I see that being a jeweller includes many other job titles since it requires the expertise of an artisan, the precision of an architect, the knowledge of coloured gemstones of a gemmologist, and I should also add anticipating clients’ wishes.

Louis Edouard Le Jeune cufflinks with carved pearls

Louis Edouard Le Jeune cufflinks with carved pearls

OD: What in your personality has led to the type of jeweller you are today?

LEL: What drove me is without doubt my intellectual freedom and desire to invent through jewellery making. So many times I could have given up, yet my passion for the craft kept me going. While answering your question, I actually realise how fulfilling my job is: my clients completely trust me; they appreciate my aesthetic flair and my creations, so much so that over time that has led us to irremediable bond.

OD: How have your creations changed since the beginning?

LEL: I am increasingly demanding about what I can achieve and of myself. I hope this shows through my jewels. I would also point out to two collections that are relevant to how rigorous my designing has become: The ‘Sinoe’ collection with its minimalist and fluid lines, and the ‘Jasmin’ series, which is colourful and feminine.

Louis Edouard Le Jeune ring with an opal, sapphires and diamonds

Louis Edouard Le Jeune ring with an opal, sapphires and diamonds

OD: How would you describe your creative philosophy?

LEL: While always focused on the choice and quality of the gemstones, when it comes to creativity, I strive to infuse some meaning into each new jewellery concept; and no matter how classical the piece is I always include a detail that makes all the difference. I believe my creations bear a particular French orthodoxy: the respect of proportions, the rules of setting, the type of angles and depth, many details that are typical of a French approach, and which have been so much advertised by stories French jewellery houses all over the world that international clients are now able to identify this French ‘touch’. I can say that my creations have it.

OD: Could you point at one of your creations that would signify the style of Louis Edouard Lejeune jewellery?

LEL: I often work on special commissions, yet each evokes my style in the sense that it has to be a unique piece with a difference. Let me share an anecdote. A famous designer from a storied French haute joaillerie house once purchased a very rare Vietnamese pearl. He kept drawing numerous designs to no avail, until one day he noticed the beauty of a pregnant woman. That is when he decided to have the pearl represent the belly of a pregnant woman in his final design. I am incredibly touched by this story, and I wish I could one day have the same ‘Eureka’ moment and find my own ‘jewel with a round belly’!

Louis Edouard Le Jeune in front of his boutique

Louis Edouard Le Jeune in front of his boutique

OD: What advice do you have for women who are keen to order a precious jewel from you?

LEL: First and foremost I always encourage them to dream what their jewel should look like, then to imagine how they would wear it in the long run – this means finding out how the jewel would affect their posture, and contribute to their overall sensuality and femininity. Lastly they should never forget why they chose this piece in first instance and above any other. Ultimately I want my clients to fall in love. As one of them once told me: ‘The more I wear my earrings, the more I love them and cannot take them off’.

Jewelry Collaboration: Georg Jensen Presents His Complete Jewellery Collection, Created with Zaha Hadid

continue reading

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Sensual Silhouettes: Jewels with Curves in All the Right Places

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us? As jewellers swap sharp lines for shapely swirls, we look at new collections that are embracing the raw power of sensuality inspired by the female form

by Rachael Taylor

Artistic Realms: The Enchanting Natural World of Histoire D’Elle

I had the pleasure of speaking with Pascale Van Maele, the Brand Manager of Histoire d'Elle, which celebrates the deep-rooted connection between quiet femininity, elegance and natural forms. Let's explore together…

by Sarah Jordan

Spinel Stories: Celebrating the Special Allure of Spinels with the House of Gübelin 

I visited the Geneva boutique of the family-owned business to indulge my passion for this overlooked gemstone and explore some of its beautiful creations…

by Katerina Perez

Golden Hour: Cosmic Creations in the Chanel Reach for the Stars High Jewellery Collection

The Reach for the Stars collection bounces between cosmic constellations of diamonds, elaborate, almost mythological neckwear, and starbursts of coloured stones, all with the Maison’s Parisian flair

by Sarah Jordan

Ultimate Guide to Promise Rings: What They Mean, How to Wear One and Where to Buy

While the promise ring's meaning has evolved, its emotional weight remains, making it especially popular among Gen Z and millennial couples seeking the perfect, personal pre-engagement jewel

by Claire Roberts

Exquisite Escapes: The Idyllic Inspirations Behind the Diorexquis High Jewellery Collection

In early May 2025, Dior Joaillerie's Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane showcased an unprecedented high jewellery collection, Diorexquis, to more than 300 VIPs at the Château de la Colle Noire in the heart of Provence. Let's take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.