30/09/2025
On the last day of Sapphire Month, 2025, I present this stunning 113ct Royal Blue unheated Burmese sapphire sugarloaf cabochon in a carved aquamarine brooch by Carvin French, which I was privileged to have pass through my hands about a decade ago.
Carvin French Jewelers, a renowned New York-based atelier, was founded in 1954 by two French expatriates, André Chervin and Serge Carponcy, who met while working at the esteemed Louis Feron workshop in Manhattan. Both men had undergone rigorous apprenticeships under master jewelers in Paris, bringing with them a deep-rooted tradition of European craftsmanship to the American jewelry scene. The company's name cleverly merges elements of their surnames
—"Car" from Carponcy and "vin" from Chervin—appended with "French" to honor their heritage.
From its inception at 16 East 52nd Street, Carvin French distinguished itself by eschewing mass-production techniques prevalent in the U.S., instead embracing classical methods like hand-enameling and intricate stone carving, which set it apart in an era dominated by casting.
Over the decades, Carvin French earned the moniker "the jeweler's jeweler" by becoming the go-to manufacturer for the world's most prestigious houses, including Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Verdura, and Asprey. The atelier specialized in bespoke haute joaillerie and fine lapidary work, producing extraordinary pieces such as gemstone carvings for designers like Donald Claflin and Angela Cummings. André Chervin's innovative spirit shone through in his creation of whimsical objets d'art—meticulously handcrafted items blending artistry with functionality, like ruby-shaded bo***ir lamps and emerald-eyed golden giraffes. This fusion of French savoir-faire and New York ingenuity not only catered to refined private clients but also elevated the firm's reputation for unparalleled quality and creativity.
Under the stewardship of André Chervin and his nephew Sylvain Chervin following Serge Carponcy's retirement in 1983, the atelier continued to thrive at 515 Madison Avenue, maintaining its legacy of excellence. A landmark 2022 exhibition at the New-York Historical Society, titled "Enchanting Imagination: The Objets d’Art of André Chervin and Carvin French Jewelers," marked the first public showcase of over 75 of these treasures, including the 1985 ruby, sapphire, and diamond Hearts suite crafted for Bulgari. As a beacon of timeless craftsmanship, Carvin French remains synonymous with the pinnacle of fine jewelry, where tradition meets bold imagination in the heart of Manhattan. Carvin French Website https://www.carvinfrench.com/
Photos by Jeffery Bergman ©EighthDimensionGems of Bangkok
“Enchanting Imagination: The Objets d’Art of André Chervin and Carvin French Jewelers” - By Gary Roskin of the Roskin Gem News Report https://roskingemnewsreport.com/enchanting-imagination-the-objets-dart-of-andre-chervin-and-carvin-french-jewelers/
