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The Catalan jewel
“Les Joyaux Catalans” are symbolic jewels with blood-red and gold colours reflecting the garnet’s soul
Here you can discover jewels made by inspired artists who wish to make you take part in a traditional craft.
Les joyaux Catalans are entirely made in our workshops that have been situated in the Pyrénées-Orientales since 1979. Our firm gathers the various jewellery trades, and every step of jewel making is carried out on site.
The art craftsmanship prize was awarded to our firm in 2003 and we are one of the few French jewellery firms to make all the elements of the jewel. From the pieces for jointing to the mounting of the gemstone – everything is made on site.
Tradition and technique
Origins of the jewellery craft. The “Catalan” mounting has its roots in antiquity since Greeks developed this technique.
This jewel, particularly preserved in this part of the Mediterranean region, was exclusively made with garnets. In that way the garnet is alive and this type of mounting gives it brilliance thanks to the reflection of the light created under the gemstone.
As far as the technique is concerned, the jewel is made of a particularly cut gemstone (flat below) and an enclosed bezel (small bowl) made according to the gemstone. Before setting the garnet, a reflector (foil) is placed under the gem.
An incomparably brilliant garnet is born: “The Catalan Garnet”. As we are always concerned about the quality of the “Les Joyaux Catalans”, we wanted to improve the reflector (foil).
First, it was a thin sheet of metal, then a sheet of aluminium, but those materials did not prove to be time resistant and it led us to create a new generation of foil.
So, since 2003, “Les Joyaux Catalans” have been marketed with the ‘enamel foil’. The reflector made of gold and enamel guarantees permanent brilliancy. The light passing through the enamel reflects off the polished gold. After baking, the enamel gets very hard and resistant and protects the polished surface.
This patented technique was developed in our workshops.
This jewel, particularly preserved in this part of the Mediterranean region, was exclusively made with garnets. In that way the garnet is alive and this type of mounting gives it brilliance thanks to the reflection of the light created under the gemstone.
As far as the technique is concerned, the jewel is made of a particularly cut gemstone (flat below) and an enclosed bezel (small bowl) made according to the gemstone. Before setting the garnet, a reflector (foil) is placed under the gem.
An incomparably brilliant garnet is born: “The Catalan Garnet”. As we are always concerned about the quality of the “Les Joyaux Catalans”, we wanted to improve the reflector (foil).
First, it was a thin sheet of metal, then a sheet of aluminium, but those materials did not prove to be time resistant and it led us to create a new generation of foil.
So, since 2003, “Les Joyaux Catalans” have been marketed with the ‘enamel foil’. The reflector made of gold and enamel guarantees permanent brilliancy. The light passing through the enamel reflects off the polished gold. After baking, the enamel gets very hard and resistant and protects the polished surface.
This patented technique was developed in our workshops.
Open Tuesday to Saturday all year round, and Monday to Saturday 15 June to 15 September.
Visits : 9.15am, 10.15am, 11.15am, 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm.
Price: 1,50 € (free of charge for persons under 18).
For groups, please contact us.
Price: 1,50 € (free of charge for persons under 18).
For groups, please contact us.
On request: film in English - visit in Catalan
(source : www.joyaux-catalans.fr)
This business is listed in theGuide for Tourism Economic Discovery edited by CCI of Perpignan and the Pyrenees-Orientals
Les Joyaux Catalans
Rond point du Canigou - 66500 Prades
Tel: 04 68 96 21 03 - Fax: 04 68 96 22 51
Rond point du Canigou - 66500 Prades
Tel: 04 68 96 21 03 - Fax: 04 68 96 22 51
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