The Story Behind Chaumet Bee My Love: A Fascinating Tale Of Nature And Nobility
A universal symbol of abundance and vitality, the bee has long featured as a spellbinding reference in Chaumet’s fine jewellery designs
At the heart of Maison Chaumet lies its ability to produce exquisite jewellery pieces, infused with a lineage of captivating narratives that take inspiration from life’s most precious moments.
Since 1780, the Parisian jewellery connoisseurs have showcased the epitome of quality craftsmanship and timeless design, seamlessly blending distinguished tradition with the effervescent fervor of joy and self-expression.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the house’s Bee My Love collection. Created around the meaningful symbolism of the bee and its honeycomb, each piece embodies the beauty and simplicity of nature while showcasing modern design, and a rich, storied history.
Bazaar Arabia uncovers the fascinating meaning and origins of Chaumet’s Bee My Love collection.
Symbolism Of The Bee
Throughout history, the bee has been a token of unity, prosperity, vitality, and dedication. Chaumet’s collection of versatile, stackable pieces allows the wearer to customize their look according to their mood and preference – honing in on the dynamic and expressive energy of the bee. In its design, the collection integrates an exquisite, diamond-encrusted hexagonal design, reminiscent of the geometric pattern of the honeycomb, a symbol of divine harmony and balance.
Royal Origins
Chaumet’s Bee My Love Collection is steeped in royal history. In 1804, the Maison became the official jeweller for Napolean Bonaparte and his wife, Empress Joséphine. At the time, the Romanticism movement was prominent across Europe, bringing to the forefront the wonders of nature. Within the context of these ideals, the bee was chosen as the newfound insignia of the French ruling family, and featured heavily amongst the dynasty’s crown jewels.
The Ethereal Influence of Empress Josephine
A lover of all things botanical, Chaumet’s early designs were affectionately crafted around Empress Josephine’s ethereal style and character. Her wardrobe was a tapestry of soft tulle, and gauzy muslins, completed with a selection of draped, flowing veils. Her whimsical sense of dress was in stark contrast to the rigid corsets and structured silhouettes distinctive of the Victorian Era, and this innate, sartorial sensibility filtered down into her choice of jewels. She would often adorn her outfits with gold, pearls, and precious stones, and was known to don extravagant pieces even with her everyday attire.
A Glistening Ode To The Bee
In 2011, Chaumet released their first Bee My Love high jewellery collection, paying homage to their royal origins and the empress’s renowned affinity for nature. The dazzling collection featured an array of exquisite diamond pieces, and was centred on a regal, deep blue colour scheme.
A Simplistic Take
In 2023, Chaumet introduced a new Bee My Love collection, founded on the pillars of simplicity and longevity. The result was a collection of timeless rose gold pieces adorned with intricately-cut diamonds. The collection’s open-work design is inspired by the image of a bee gathering nectar from a flower.
Endless Possibilities
Just like the honeycomb is produced over time, Chaumet’s Bee My Love collection is rooted in the essence of continual renewal and reinvention. The pieces are created to be stacked and combined in a multitude of ways, allowing for personalisation and infinite style possibilities.
One-Of-Kind Diamond
For the 2023 iteration of the Bee My Love collection, Chaumet revealed an exclusive new diamond cut. Called the Taille Impératrice, meaning the Empress cut, in French, the hexagonal diamond features 88 facets and a star-shaped pavilion. The diamond has been cut by hand, with each facet designed to reflect the optimum amount of light, giving the precious stone an exceptional level of brilliance. The shine of the Taille Impératrice diamond is touted to be even more intense than the renowned brilliant-cut diamond, which is often used as the universal standard of high-level brilliance.
Lead image credits. Photography: Amer Mohamad. Styling: Nour Bou Ezz. Model: Yara Alnamlah. Make-Up: Michael Kiwarkis at MMG Artists. Photographer’s Assistant: Yasir Ali Shah.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s June 2023 issue.