Maison Riondet
About us
For half a century, Maison Riondet has specialized in antique French jewelry from the 18th century to the 1970s. It is now represented by Geoffray Riondet (HRD, GIA, DU gemmologie), expert at the Lyon Court of Appeal.
Based in the capital of Gaul, it participates in several fairs in France including the Biennale Paris, former biennial of antique dealers (2019) or the Salon de l’Objet d’Art at the Grand Palais as well as events in Europe such as the Antica fairs in Belgium.
In 2005, Maison Riondet opened a new chapter in its history with expertise. Geoffray Riondet has participated in the on-site gemological analysis of many historical jewels and gems, including: the "Grand Saphir" of Louis XIV at the National Museum of Natural History (2012), the "Talisman of Charlemagne" at the Palais du Tau (2016), the coronation ring of Empress Joséphine at the National Museum of the Châteaux of Malmaison and Bois-Préau (2016), the crown of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (2016), George Sand's jewels at the Musée de la vie Romantique (2017), the Majesty of Sainte Foy de Conques (2017), the book of hours of François I at the Louvre Museum (2020).
His rigor is also distinguished in his ongoing research by publishing numerous articles (more than 70 to date) for magazines such as the Revue de Gemmologie, Gems & Gemmology or The Journal of Gemmology.
Furthermore, Geoffray Riondet is behind the book “Antique Jewelry (1800 – 1950). Discover, Appreciate and Identify” published by Flammarion in May 2021 with a preface by Victoire de Castellane (artistic director of Dior Jewelry). The project was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Gemmology and its professors (historians and gemologists). This book, now available in English since 2024, is entitled “Antique French Jewelry 1800 – 1950”.
Maison Riondet also pays particular attention to the transmission of knowledge. Thus, Geoffray Riondet is a professor at the National Institute of Gemmology. He also teaches at the Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University as part of the University Diploma in Gemmology.
To share its passion for gems with everyone, Maison Riondet has become a patron and sole partner of the collection of the Crown Jewels of France at the Mines ParisTech Mineralogy Museum since 2016.
It has helped enrich the collections of museums in France and abroad, such as the Schmuckmuseum in Pforzheim, Germany (the only museum in the world exclusively dedicated to jewelry) or the Palais de Compiègne (Museum of the Second Empire).
Geoffray Riondet was also the co-curator of the exhibition "Bijou bijoux" at the Musée de l'Imprimerie et de la Communication graphique in 2022.
In addition, he initiated the creation of the Marcus Prize for Young Merchants, Heritage Actors for the SNCAO-GA in 2023. The aim of this prize is to encourage young antique dealers and second-hand dealers, and to promote their actions in favor of the preservation and transmission of movable heritage in France. The prize was officially presented by Stéphane Bern, patron of the Prize, on December 19, 2023 to 6 young merchants at the Royal and Military College of Thiron-Gardais.
Correlatively, Maison Riondet has built up a reference library focused on the history of French jewelry. It is now one of the most important in the field.
Finally, Maison Riondet, while remaining faithful to jewelry, has now extended its activities to watchmaking.