KNOWN FOR

Luxury jewellery with a conscience

ABOUT THE BRAND

Courbet is a French sustainable jewellery brand that offers luxury pieces, from custom engagement rings to ready-to-wear bracelets. Its inspiration is the rebellious painter Gustave Courbet, who wanted to relocate the famous Vendôme column to a street of the same name (now known as Place Vendôme) as a monument to peace. Courbet is currently the only jewellery house residing on this prestigious Parisian square to sell lab-grown diamonds. The brand’s motto is: “Without goodness, beauty means nothing”, which it lives by through its ethical practices and use of sustainable materials.

VISION & MISSION

Courbet’s mission is to become more well-known, especially as a high-end jewellery house, and to extend their brand within China. The brand also hopes to further reduce its carbon footprint and find a supplier who shares its values.

WHY IT’S CONSCIOUS

Courbet’s jewellery has minimal impact on the environment. Its diamonds are grown in a lab near Paris that recreates the same forces as those from the depths of the Earth. The company uses 100 percent recycled and traceable gold from industrial waste to combat the fact that more gold is in circulation above ground than can be found below. The business also works to be carbon neutral and use zero waste practices.

Courbet also runs Let’s Commit, a partnership program. The company promises to pay 15 percent of the selling price of their gold and diamond cord bracelets to twelve causes including Paris Tout P’tits (providing food aid for babies), My Coral Garden (looking after the ocean), and Rose Up (supporting women with cancer).

PROTECT THE PLANET: Courbet’s production and business practices include using recycled and lab-grown materials, being carbon neutral, practising zero waste, and making efforts within environmental conservation.

INNOVATION FOR GOOD: Courbet uses advanced technology to grow their diamonds instead of mine them.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Courbet was born when its founder and president, Manuel Mallen was introduced to lab-grown diamonds. He was amazed by their remarkable quality and, having devoted his career to luxury jewellery brands, started thinking about launching the first eco-friendly, ethical jewellery brand on Place Vendôme. Following a meeting with Marie-Ann Wachtmeister, a designer Manuel had worked with in the past who shared his belief that beauty does not need to be sacrificed for goodness, Courbet came to life.