JEWEL BOX: Adaptable Jewelry Concept by Anne Dumont

A Unique and Innovative Approach to Jewelry Design

Anne Dumont, the creative mind behind Jewel Box, was inspired by the desire to have an infinite variety of jewels, each with its own color, while taking up minimal space for travel and spending a minimum amount of money. Over the course of 20 years, Dumont, a lover of jewelry, had accumulated a vast collection, spending a significant amount of money in the process. She sought to find a solution to make jewelry more adaptable and cost-effective.

The unique properties of Jewel Box lie in its use of toy building bricks as the base for modularity. The jewelry pieces are designed to be easily interchangeable, allowing for the color of the jewel to be changed without limits. The clasps are seamlessly integrated into the design using these bricks, enabling a high degree of interchangeability between pieces. This means that the bricks from one jewel can be reused in another, much like reusing a solitaire diamond in multiple jewelry pieces. The concept of Jewel Box is suitable for both high fashion and ready-to-wear jewelry.

The current prototypes of Jewel Box are handcrafted using plastic building bricks similar to Lego. Holes are drilled into these bricks to attach them to the chain, creating the architecture of the jewel. Original plastic building bricks or silver bricks made using a wax technique are used as cover plates. However, for industrial production, the plastic will be changed to support perfume and cosmetics, and the back of the jewels will be smooth. This will allow for even more possibilities, such as creating sautoirs with two-faced elements.

Jewel Box presents a unique packaging challenge due to its modularity. Each Jewel Box is sold with a variety of pieces to change the color of the jewel. However, a professional packaging solution has not been developed yet, as it will depend on the company that adopts the concept. Dumont believes that investing in packaging at this stage would be premature, as the packaging needs to align with the company's branding and marketing strategy.

With Jewel Box, the interaction is similar to building houses or cars with toy building bricks. Users can easily assemble, disassemble, and reassemble the jewelry pieces to create different designs. Dumont has also developed a toy version of Jewel Box, where children can create their own jewelry designs using the building bricks. This adds an additional layer of enjoyment and creativity to the jewelry, allowing users to both wear and play with their jewels. Additionally, users have the option to incorporate pieces from their old toys, giving new life to cherished childhood memories.

The Jewel Box project began in September 2010 and continues to evolve. Dumont's research focused on creating new adaptable jewelry that goes beyond the limitations of existing modular designs. She aimed to develop an open concept with a high degree of interchangeability and low production costs. The research involved theoretical exploration, creation of prototypes, legal protection, and the development of jewelry for different purposes, including ready-to-wear and high fashion.

Jewel Box has overcome various challenges, including legal aspects related to the use of Lego bricks and the protection of the concept. Dumont has obtained legal protection for Jewel Box in Europe through a series of models, each of which is an integral part of the jewel itself. However, due to financial constraints, protection outside of Europe has not been pursued. Another challenge has been finding a large company to partner with for the project, as the initial investment required is significant. Dumont acknowledges that the current economic climate is not conducive to launching such a project.

Despite these challenges, Jewel Box has garnered recognition for its innovative design. In 2014, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Jewelry, Eyewear, and Watch Design category. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity, resourcefulness, and technical skills. Jewel Box has been commended for its contribution to improving the quality of life and its incorporation of best practices in art, science, design, and technology.

Jewel Box represents a truly avant-garde concept in the world of jewelry. While it may take time for the design to gain wider acceptance and commercial success, Dumont takes pride in having created an innovative and adaptable jewelry concept. With Jewel Box, the possibilities for creativity and personalization are endless, allowing individuals to express their unique style and enjoy their jewelry in new and exciting ways.