Mention French high jewelry and most Americans will immediately think of Richemont Group or LVMH and their stable of well branded companies. Mention the Label Joaillerie de France, and those in the know will also think of smaller, less recognized French jewelry houses, whose quality and craftsmanship is guaranteed by the French Union BJOP as being manufactured, mounted, set and polished in France, following strict ethical, legal and environmental standards.

These smaller houses are oftentimes manufacturer of some of the more recognized French jewelry houses. Aaron Faber Gallery, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10103, in partnership with UBIFRANCE and the French Trade Commission, will host thirteen of these great wonders during the week of November 16, 2009 for the Second Annual Jewels of France Exhibition and Trunk Show.

The Jewels of France Exhibition and Trunk Show is an annual week long gathering of some of France’s most acclaimed jewelry houses and their designers. Aligned again in its second year with Aaron Faber Gallery, the Jewels of France exhibition offers both trade and consumers an opportunity to meet the Creative Directors behind these houses and learn more about the exquisite and complicated art of French jewelry manufacture.

This year’s participants include Marchak, the 131 year old jewelry house founded by Joseph Marchak, the “Cartier” of Kiev and Peter Fabergé’s greatest rival; Bijoux Commelin, the 129 year-old manufacture of charms and specialist in translucent enamel; and BRM, the only watch company in the world that designs and manufacturers all of their watches and watch components in France. Also participating are Umane Créations, Joïa, La Joaillerie Récréative, Sylvain Nosjean, Tess & Tasha, Veronique Bailly, Ximena Alarcon Cavrois, Sophie Reyre, Antoine Camus, and Garnazelle.

It takes at minimum ten years of study to become a master artisan of French high jewelry”, said Camille Wiart, Director of Business Development, Fashion & Jewelry at the French Trade Commission. “We are pleased to present to the American audience through the Jewels of France Exhibition and Trunk Show thirteen of France’s most celebrated jewelry houses and designers, each consummate masters of their trade. We are also very happy to be working again with Aaron Faber Gallery, whose reputation and commitment to showcasing the best in contemporary studio jewelry, classic and vintage jewelry made it the obvious venue.”

The exhibition opens late afternoon Monday, November 16th and continues through Friday, November 20th. A private reception hosted by the Creative Directors of each jewelry house will be held at Aaron Faber Gallery the evening of Thursday, November 19th. The general public will be able to view and purchase from the featured collections daily, with special requests available through Aaron Faber Gallery after the exhibition concludes jewelsoffrance.lmrpr.com