The program includes mentoring middle and high school students, as well as a public event aimed at sharing the craftsmanship of jewelry making. This event will take place from November 23rd to December 1st, 2024, in Lyon and, for the first time, in Clermont-Ferrand from February 12th to 16th, 2025.
A Showcase of Jewelry Craftsmanship The “de Mains en mains” initiative also includes an event that is open to the public. This will be held at the InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu from November 23rd to December 1st, 2024, and will later move to the Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand from February 12th to February 16th, 2025. Both cities are known for their vibrant jewelry sectors and thriving job market.
During the weekends, visitors will have the opportunity to observe skilled artisans working live during demonstrations staged in a setting that mimics an authentic workshop. In addition, a special area will provide information on various training programs and showcase career opportunities offered by leading jewelry brands.
Mentorship Focused on Dialogue with Students France has long been renowned for its prestigious jewelry-making tradition. Although the sector plays a key role in job creation, its diverse career paths are still largely unfamiliar to younger generations. To bridge this gap, Van Cleef & Arpels teamed up with the French Ministry of National Education in 2021 to launch the “de Mains en mains” initiative, designed specifically for middle and high school students in Lyon. This year, five classes from Gilbert Dru Middle School, a class from Sainte Jeanne d’Arc, and four classes from the Parcours Avenir program will participate in the initiative.
The mentorship program runs through the school year. Starting in October, artisans from Van Cleef & Arpels and L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, will visit the partner schools. These in-class sessions, co-created with teachers, connect jewelry craftsmanship with the students' curriculum. For instance, gemstones are explored in Physics and Chemistry lessons with a gemologist, while the history of medieval jewelry is covered in History/Geography classes with an art specialist. Workshops in jewelry design are also organized within Fine Arts classes.
The students are thus prepared for the “Parcours Métiers” (Professional Pathways), an essential part of the program that takes place annually in Lyon and, for the first time, in Clermont-Ferrand in 2025. During this week-long event, students engage with artisans from Van Cleef & Arpels’ workshops. The craftsmen will explain their training process and share their daily experiences, providing insight into the various stages involved in jewelry-making, such as design, gouache work, stone selection, cutting, setting, and polishing. The students will also gain hands-on experience at the workbench. In addition, Van Cleef & Arpels' Human Resources team will provide information on the many training opportunities available in the field.
In the months of February and March, the Atelier de la langue française association will train the students in the art of public speaking. This will prepare them to present their experiences in front of their families, teachers, representatives from the académie de Lyon, and Van Cleef & Arpels in May.
Growing Popularity Since its inception in 2021, the “de Mains en mains” program has steadily expanded its reach. The initiative has also attracted a wide range of institutional and community partners, all committed to helping young people discover the jewelry professions and supporting adults transitioning into new careers.
Key statistics include:
- 900 student participants since 2021
- 15,000 visitors since 2021, including 7,800 in 2023
- 17 institutional and community partners collaborating with Van Cleef & Arpels since 2021
- 180 employees of Van Cleef & Arpels contributing to the initiative in 2023