Phylosophy

Already as a young child, walking through the fields and around the ponds, I marveled at the bright and vivid colors, at the bold and daring shapes in nature and at the amazing audacious manner by which it attracted, generated and maintained life. Within these words, lies the spirit of “Finery”: to capture one’s attention, to prompt one’s interest, to create loving links both big and small.

From the very first lines of a sketch to the fully completed colored design, simplicity, purity in the lines, contrasts in the composing elements, all are foremost in my mind. A need for comfort, for gentleness, for tranquility and silence, is what carries me and guides me towards creation.

At first glance, my jewelry appears simple. Jewelry that has been meticulously handcrafted, one item at a time, and never cast in any part. For handcrafting is the one and only way to achieve total and true freedom in creation. It is the only method that ensures precision in details and an overall great sturdiness to each item. The result being items of jewelry that always enhance the forever exceptional precious materials chosen.

Along each step of the way in the making of these objects of finery, I want to master my skill to the hilt. I expect nothing less of my sons, Vincent and Pierre.

The Artisans

1971, Paris – the ¨BJO- Bijouterie-Joaillerie-Orfèverie¨ - the school of precious metal jewelry, precious stone jewelry, and gold, situated on rue du Louvre is where I began my apprenticeship. Two years later, thanks to two excellent teachers, Professor Dumoutier and Professor Chapuis, I would place first in the general rankings.

Still in Paris, I then worked for 5 years in a workshop where valuable pieces of jewelry for the House of Bulgari in Rome were made. It is at this period that I became aware of the importance of the design itself but also of the discussions and interpretations which ensued.

Once I had obtained a certificate of professional aptitude for stone setting and a certificate in gemology, I returned to Québec in 1978 to then practice my craft within the family business.

Since a few years now, I have been working towards passing on to my sons Vincent and Pierre, the importance of work well done, of work that is always and entirely handcrafted. Together, we are highly intent on always creating jewelry of first rate quality.

The Materials

Our jewelry is always entirely handcrafted out of 925/1000 silver, 18ct gold or out of platinum and occasionally out of palladium. Never is any of our jewelry cast.

Our concern for the quality of the work and for the requisite quantity of precious metals instinctively leads us to use but lavish stones and magnificent pearls.

Using a 10x magnifying glass, Michel Zimmermann chooses each precious stone and each semi precious stone one by one. When choosing, he looks for vividness and clarity in color, quality in the cut and perfect polishing. Each and every selected stone must be a true marvel.

Only first rate diamonds are used. F for color and VVS1 for inclusions. Certified high standard Canadian diamonds starting at 30/carat are also available.

Michel Zimmermann also chooses himself our cultured pearls, our Tahitian pearls and our fresh water pearls using the same dictates for their quality. Meticulous attention to the shapes, round or baroque, the colors and their hues, the thickness in the layers of mother-of-pearl, ensures that the pearls we use are also marvelous.

THE punch

The drill, both punch and hallmark, appears on all of our jewelry and certifies that the work was done entirely by hand. It also warrants the quality of the precious metals used: 925/1000 silver, 18ct gold  platinum and palladium.

The stamp represents a drill, an ancient jeweler’s tool, used for hand drilling small holes into precious metals.

The emblem illustrates and represents the freedom of the artisan within a modern world. Moreover, its symmetry and balance stand for the philosophy that underlies each one of our creations.

"Pump drill"

From : A. Boitet, Traité pratique du Bijoutier-Joaillier, Paris, Éditions Garnier