Joel Arthur Rosenthal is a legendary figure in the world of fine jewelry, celebrated for his extraordinary creativity, unique designs, and unmatched craftsmanship. Born in 1943 in New York City, Rosenthal graduated from Harvard University, where he majored in Art History and Philosophy. After completing his studies, he moved to Paris, a city that would become the backdrop for his remarkable career.
Rosenthal’s initial ventures were far removed from the world of jewelry. He began as a screenwriter and later delved into the art of embroidery, opening a shop that specialized in uniquely colored yarns. His innovative approach caught the attention of designers from prestigious houses like Hermès and Valentino. It was an unexpected request from a client to design a gemstone setting that ultimately shifted his path and sparked his journey into jewelry design.
In 1978, Rosenthal, together with his Swiss friend Pierre Jeannet, founded the jewelry brand JAR in Paris’s iconic Place Vendôme. JAR quickly became synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship and daring design. Rosenthal’s hallmark was the intricate use of “pavé settings,” which made the mounting of the gemstones almost invisible. He often used dark metals to accentuate the brilliance and vibrancy of the stones, creating pieces that were both bold and delicate. With fewer than 100 pieces produced annually, each JAR creation is a handcrafted masterpiece, making them highly coveted by collectors around the globe.
What sets JAR apart is its mystique and exclusivity. The brand does not advertise, participate in public marketing, or display its works in traditional retail settings. Its boutique at Place Vendôme has no windows, no set hours, and operates strictly by appointment, welcoming only a select clientele. This sense of mystery has elevated the desirability of JAR’s jewelry, turning them into rare treasures.
Despite its discreet approach, JAR has received widespread acclaim and recognition. Rosenthal’s creations have been featured in two major exhibitions: a showcase at Somerset House in London in 2002, and a retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 2013, which displayed 400 of his pieces. These exhibitions underscored Rosenthal’s artistic brilliance and cemented his reputation as one of the most innovative jewelry designers of his time.
Joel Arthur Rosenthal’s name has become synonymous with excellence in design and craftsmanship. His jewelry is not merely decorative but embodies a profound artistic vision, blending emotion and beauty. Each piece is a testament to his dedication to artistry, making JAR’s creations timeless treasures cherished by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide.
This remarkable two-volume collection offers a comprehensive showcase of JAR's iconic jewelry creations from its founding in 1978 through to 2014. The book covers the "Jewels of JAR - Paris" exhibition at London’s Somerset House and the grand retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, capturing the extraordinary creative journey of the master jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal. Each hardcover volume is bound in silk and comes with a slipcase, with every piece displayed on a dedicated page to allow readers to fully appreciate the exceptional craftsmanship of this celebrated artist.
Joel Arthur Rosenthal was born in New York City and graduated from Harvard University before settling in Paris, where he spent most of his life. Initially, he pursued screenwriting and later turned to the art of embroidery, opening a shop specializing in uniquely colored yarns that attracted prestigious clients, including designers from Hermès and Valentino. One day, a customer asked him to create a setting for a gemstone, a request that changed the course of his career and marked the beginning of his journey into jewelry design.
Rosenthal is renowned for his unique pavé-setting technique, which arranges gemstones so intricately that the settings are nearly invisible. He is also known for using dark metals to further enhance the color and texture of the stones. Each year, he produces fewer than 100 pieces, each one a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind creation, perfectly embodying the concept of bespoke artistry.
Unlike other jewelry brands, Rosenthal opts for no marketing or advertising of any kind. His boutique, located in Paris’s Place Vendôme, has no display windows, no fixed operating hours, and no promotional materials. It is open exclusively to a select clientele, accessible only by appointment and invitation.
Rosenthal's creations have been showcased in two major exhibitions. The first took place in 2002 at London’s Somerset House, and the second was a retrospective in 2013 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, featuring up to 400 pieces. These exhibitions highlighted his unparalleled creativity and artistic achievements, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the world of fine jewelry.
