Home of Van Cleef & Arpels in Paris’ Place Vendôme. The luxury house has had this location since 1906. In the past month, L’Ecole Van Cleef & Arpels, which is also located in the Place Vendôme, has expanded its space and course offerings. Photograph by Maggie Sattler for Sparkle.

BY MAGGIE SATTLER

In 2012, Van Cleef & Arpels launched a special school (l’ecole) that endeavored to shed light on the often secretive worlds of jewelry and watchmaking to the public. The school has since welcomed more than 2,000 students from all over the globe with course offerings in three different subject areas: History of Art; The Universe of Gemstones; and Savoir faire (“expertise”). Nearly a month ago, the school opened its doors to the media to showcase its newly expanded premises, which has allowed it to broaden its syllabus. L’ecole offers four-hour courses at various times during the week in French and English at a cost starting at 600 euro, or around $820.

More information: http://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/en

Watch an introduction to the school presented by Marie Vallanet-Delhom, president of L’Ecole Van Cleef & Arpels.
—February 15, 2014