Van Cleef & Arpels Materials Innovation Apprentice (Precious Materials)
- Location
- LyonAuvergne-Rhône-AlpesFrance
- Employment
- Internship
- Seniority
- Intern
- Industry
- High Jewelry
- Posted
- May 12, 2026
About Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels is a preeminent haute‑joaillerie maison renowned for artisanal craftsmanship, technical excellence and poetic design. The maison operates within a network of luxury maisons and draws on both traditional métiers and contemporary materials science to develop its creations.
Van Cleef & Arpels — Lyon: Materials Innovation Apprentice (Alternance) supporting R&D for precious metals and gemstones.
Role & Responsibilities
- Support the materials innovation team in research and development projects focused on precious metals, alloys and material treatments for jewellery applications.
- Prepare and execute laboratory tests and sample characterisation (mechanical, microstructural and surface analyses) under supervision.
- Assist in prototyping and small‑scale trials with workshops to validate manufacturability and finish quality.
- Compile technical documentation, test reports and presentations to communicate results to R&D staff and production partners.
- Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders (workshops, quality, procurement) to follow material specifications and sourcing constraints.
- Contribute to continuous‑improvement initiatives addressing durability, wear, colour stability and finishing processes.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a recognised technical or scientific programme (Bachelor’s/Master’s) in materials science, metallurgy, chemistry, jewellery engineering or equivalent.
- Strong interest in precious metals, gem‑setting processes and artisanal manufacturing constraints.
- Ability to work methodically in a laboratory environment and to follow health, safety and quality procedures.
- Good written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and cross‑functional collaboration.
Skills
Experience
Previous laboratory or internship experience in materials testing, metallurgy or jewellery manufacturing is advantageous but not mandatory; applicants from academic programmes with relevant coursework are encouraged to apply.
Education
Enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemistry, Jewellery Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Culture
Van Cleef & Arpels combines time‑honoured artisanal savoir‑faire with rigorous technical development, fostering a workplace where creativity and precision coexist. The maison values cross‑disciplinary collaboration between workshops, R&D and design to sustain excellence in high jewellery.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Van Cleef & Arpels, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Precious Materials Innovation Trainee (Alternance)», «Work‑Study Apprentice — Materials R&D», «Materials Development Apprentice — Jewellery Applications», «R&D Trainee, Precious Metals & Gem Materials», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.