There's the blue box. There's the red box. And then there's the jewel that no one else has the one people ask you where you got it, the one you've worn for ten years and can no longer part with.
At BY Marie, we've championed this third category for 25 years. Not in opposition to the major houses, whose history and expertise we respect, but because we believe there's another way to access beauty: more unique, more personal, often more authentic.
Here's why.
What big houses sell (and what they don't)
Major jewelry houses like Cartier, Van Cleef, and Tiffany sell a dream. And this dream has real value: that of history, prestige, instant recognition. To offer a piece signed by a major house is to offer a symbol. It's undeniable, and it's significant.
But what they don't sell, or find harder to sell, is surprise. Uniqueness. The idea that this piece of jewelry was conceived by someone who had something urgent to say, an obsession to express, a stone to celebrate. Major houses, by definition, produce on a large scale. Their pieces are beautiful. They are also, inevitably, everywhere.
What designer jewelry brings
Designer jewelry is something else entirely. It's not necessarily more luxurious; it's more unique.
When Lito Karakostanoglou sculpts an enameled gold eye in her Athens workshop, when Céline D'Aoust hand-picks each tourmaline for its unique inclusions in Jaipur, when Violette Basentsyan carves an octopus from a multi-colored aquamarine between Marseille and Rajasthan, these jewels tell a story. The story of a designer, a journey, a savoir-faire, an obsession.
What BY Marie has always believed, and what its 25 years of existence confirm, is that the jewels that last are those that have something to tell. A client wearing a Marie Lichtenberg locket engraved with her name is not just wearing a jewel; she is wearing a talisman. A client choosing a Céline D'Aoust frosted tourmaline ring is not just choosing an accessory; she is choosing a stone unique in the world.
It is this narrative, intimate, irreplaceable dimension that designer jewelry offers.
Our selection: five houses, five worlds
At BY Marie, designer jewelry is an editorial conviction. We only offer houses we deeply believe in, designers whose workshops, approaches, and hands we know.
Talkative (Tokyo, 2008) embodies Japanese precision dedicated to joyful and graphic jewelry, pieces crafted by excellent artisans that make you smile as much as they make you dream.
Lito (Athens, 1999) is a discreet legend of global designer jewelry, a mythological and surreal universe, entirely handmade in an Athenian workshop that resembles a cabinet of curiosities.
Céline D'Aoust (Belgium / Jaipur) celebrates the natural imperfections of stones; these inclusions that others hide, she turns into her signature. Each piece is unique in the strictest sense of the word.
Marie Lichtenberg (Paris) invented the modern talisman jewel; her enameled gold locket is one of the most copied and least imitable pieces of recent years. Poetry worn.
Violette Joaillerie (Marseille / Jaipur, 2023) is our latest favorite: sea creatures sculpted in multi-colored tourmalines and aquamarines, brought to life by a designer whose passion is as evident as her talent is rare.
The question of price
It would be dishonest not to address it. The designer jewelry selected at BY Marie is not cheap. Entry prices start around 600 euros and increase depending on the pieces.
But the comparison with major houses is illuminating: for a piece signed by a classic luxury house, you largely pay for brand recognition and global distribution. For a designer piece, you pay for an artisan's time, the uniqueness of a stone, a designer's vision. The intrinsic value—that of the material, the craftsmanship, the uniqueness—is often much higher.
And most importantly: you wear something that no one else has exactly.
"The jewel everyone recognizes is beautiful. The jewel no one can identify but everyone notices , that's the one that defines you."
FAQ
Where can I find quality designer jewelry in Paris?
BY Marie offers a carefully curated selection of designer jewelry in its Parisian boutique on Avenue George V and on its e-boutique. The houses represented include Talkative, Lito, Céline D'Aoust, Marie Lichtenberg, and Violette Joaillerie.
Is designer jewelry a good investment?
Designer jewelry pieces, when made with precious materials and genuine craftsmanship, retain their value over time, especially as their rarity protects them from becoming commonplace. Some pieces from houses like Lito or Marie Lichtenberg are already considered collectibles.
How do I care for gold and semi-precious stone jewelry?
Avoid contact with cosmetics and chlorinated water. Store your jewelry separately to prevent scratches. Gentle cleaning with lukewarm water and a soft brush is sufficient in most cases. For precious pieces, annual maintenance by a jeweler is recommended.
Does BY Marie offer custom jewelry?
BY Marie does not offer custom jewelry directly, but some of the houses in its selection do. Our team of Personal Shoppers can guide you to the house best suited for your project.