At Monaco’s iconic Salle des Étoiles, the world of high jewellery found a new global platform with the debut edition of the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie (GPHJ). Conceived as an international celebration of exceptional design and craftsmanship, the awards marked a defining moment for the industry.
With nine categories introduced in its inaugural year, GPHJ brought together some of the most prestigious jewellery maisons from across the world. Among the 33 exceptional creations presented, it was Chanel that claimed the highest distinction. The Sweater Prestige necklace from the House’s Haute Joaillerie Sport collection was awarded the Grand Prix Prize, recognising it as the most outstanding high jewellery creation of the year. Crafted in white gold and platinum, and set with diamonds, emeralds and onyx, the piece reinterprets the drawstrings of sportswear—an elegant nod to Chanel’s long-standing association with effortless, sporty style dating back to the 1920s.
Beyond the jury’s verdict, the event also engaged the public. In the days leading up to the ceremony, the nominated jewels were showcased across Monaco, including boutique windows and Café de la Rotonde, allowing residents and visitors to cast their votes. With over 20,000 votes recorded, the Public Prize went to Dolce & Gabbana for a striking cross pendant necklace from its 2024 Alta Gioielleria Sardegna collection. Rendered in yellow, white and pink gold and enriched with colourful gemstones, diamonds and pearls, the piece celebrates Italian heritage through intricate hand-woven filigree—a centuries-old technique brought to life with contemporary flair.
Tiffany & Co. emerged as one of the evening’s most celebrated houses, receiving both the Jury’s Special Prize and the Heritage Prize. The Jury’s Special Prize acknowledged Tiffany’s enduring influence on high jewellery design, showcased through four creations, including the Cascade Natural Saltwater Pearl necklace and The Legendary Bird: The Argyle Edition. The Cascade necklace, inspired by Jean Schlumberger’s iconic Leaves design, features rare natural saltwater pearls from the renowned Al Fardan collection, woven into fluid gold forms accented with over a thousand diamonds. Meanwhile, the reimagined Bird on a Rock design introduced rare Argyle Pink diamonds, reinforcing Tiffany’s legacy of innovation and imagination. The Heritage Prize honoured the historic Butterflies choker, one of Schlumberger’s earliest creations for the House, loaned from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
The Savoir-Faire Prize was awarded to Dior Joaillerie for the Diorexquis Forêt Nacrée necklace, designed by Victoire de Castellane. The piece unfolds like a miniature dreamscape, blending flora, fauna and iridescent mother-of-pearl with extraordinary technical precision and poetic storytelling.
Louis Vuitton secured the Gemstone Prize for the Apogée necklace from its 2025 Virtuosity High Jewellery collection. The architectural, transformable design features a flawless LV Monogram Star Cut diamond and a remarkable Brazilian emerald with rare blue-green hues, underscoring the House’s mastery of rare gemstones.
In the Design Prize category, independent jeweller Messika was recognised for the Zebra Luhlaza necklace, a bold composition of over 600 diamonds arranged in graphic patterns inspired by zebra stripes. The New Talent Prize went to Sahag Arslanian for the Lunar Eclipse necklace, a celestial-inspired creation centred around a fancy yellow diamond and diamond-set spheres echoing the moon’s phases.
A special moment of the evening honoured Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, who received the Visionary of the Year award in recognition of her lasting influence on contemporary high jewellery.
Reflecting on the event, juror Chayapa Chutrakul described the inaugural GPHJ as a historic convergence of craftsmanship, emotion and cultural heritage. Emphasising balance in her judging approach, she highlighted the importance of authenticity, storytelling and purpose—qualities that resonate strongly with a new generation of collectors, particularly in Asia.
As the curtains closed on its first edition, the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie established itself as a promising new benchmark for excellence—one that celebrates not just beautiful jewels, but the values, artistry and shared passion that define high jewellery’s enduring legacy.