Van Cleef & Arpels Stone Setting Apprentice
- Location
- Employment
- Internship
- Seniority
- Intern
- Industry
- High Jewelry
- Posted
- Apr 22, 2026
About Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels is an internationally recognised maison of haute joaillerie celebrated for artisanal craftsmanship, poetic design and technical excellence. The house operates dedicated ateliers in Paris and globally and is part of the Richemont group, offering structured training pathways and mastery-driven production environments.
Van Cleef & Arpels in Paris seeks a Stone Setting Apprentice (Alternance) to train in the haute‑joaillerie atelier.
Role & Responsibilities
- Learn and execute traditional and contemporary stone‑setting techniques (pavé, grain, bezel, prong) under the supervision of master setters.
- Prepare settings and mountings with meticulous attention to dimensional tolerances and gem orientation.
- Perform finishing operations — filing, burnishing and polishing — to meet maison quality standards.
- Inspect gemstones and settings at each production stage using magnification; report and rectify anomalies.
- Maintain and care for bench tools, magnification equipment and workshop fixtures; uphold atelier housekeeping and safety protocols.
- Document work progress and contribute to quality-control records for assigned pieces.
- Collaborate with polisseurs, sertisseurs and prototype teams to ensure seamless handoffs and timing adherence.
- Participate in technical training sessions and progressively increase autonomy on complex pieces.
Qualifications
- Enrolment in or completion of a vocational jewellery diploma (CAP/BEP Joaillerie or equivalent) or formal apprenticeship programme.
- Exceptional manual dexterity, tactile sensitivity and fine motor control.
- Excellent visual acuity and ability to work under magnification (loupe/microscope).
- Strong commitment to craft, patience for repetitive precision work and respect for atelier disciplines.
- Capacity to follow technical drawings and verbal instructions precisely.
- Professional attitude, punctuality and readiness to learn within a high‑standards luxury production environment.
Skills
Experience
No extensive professional experience required; candidates should be enrolled in an alternance/apprenticeship programme or hold a relevant vocational diploma. Prior internships, school workshop projects or short placements in a jewellery atelier are advantageous.
Education
CAP/BEP in Jewellery or equivalent vocational qualification, or current enrolment in an accredited apprenticeship/alternance programme.
Workplace
This position is based in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Culture
The maison emphasises craft mastery, quiet discipline and intergenerational knowledge transfer within its Paris ateliers. Colleagues work in a cooperative, precision‑driven environment where attention to detail and respect for heritage techniques are paramount.
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 «Apprentice Gemsetter», «Junior Stone Setter (Apprenticeship)», «Jewellery Setter Trainee», «Haute Joaillerie Setter Apprentice», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.