Louis Gérard, formerly of Van Cleef & Arpels, established his own firm M. Gérard in 1968, setting up his first boutique at 8 Avenue Montaigne in Paris. His discerning eye for gemstones and superior sense for quality quickly won over the hearts of Parisian and international jewellery enthusiasts. He soon became renowned for jewels set with dazzling diamonds and vibrant colored stones. Lot 232 is a fine example of the firm’s exceptional attention to detail and quality. Sold in 1969 at the Avenue Montaigne boutique, this lot demonstrates Gérard's early work asserting his bold and playful style.
Gérard’s success in Paris resulted in further openings of boutiques in Monaco in the same year of the firm's founding and later in Lausanne, Gstaad, London, Geneva, and Cannes. By 1975, Gérard was known to be the largest exporter of fine jewels from France, an astonishing achievement considering the reputation and quality of his long-established competitors across the Place Vendôme and the Champs-Elysées. Never compromising on style, jewels by Gérard are characterized by their distinctive, daring, and luxurious designs.