A Crown Jewel of Cultural Prestige
In a principality known for its Formula 1 glamour, superyachts, and Riviera elegance, Monaco is preparing to unveil a new expression of prestige—this time, through the radiant world of fine jewelry. The inaugural Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie will debut on October 25, 2025, at the iconic Salle des Étoiles within the Sporting Monte-Carlo, bringing together the most revered names in high jewelry. This event, equal parts celebration and competition, seeks not just to honor individual pieces, but to enshrine the artisans, maisons, and traditions that elevate jewelry to a form of cultural patrimony.
Orchestrated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) in partnership with Jean-Philippe Braud, president of Profirst France and the event’s director, the Grand Prix draws on the principality’s long-standing reputation as a nexus of European luxury. Braud, together with a team of curators and cultural insiders, has envisioned the Grand Prix as a new milestone in the jewelry calendar—where major fashion houses, legacy ateliers, private collectors, and gemstone-producing nations converge under one glittering roof. In Monaco, where opulence is a lifestyle and tradition is layered with spectacle, the idea of a jewelry grand prix feels not just appropriate, but inevitable.
The jury for the event will be chaired by renowned jewelry journalist Fabienne Reybaud, whose decades of reporting on global haute joaillerie lend credibility and critical insight to the awards. Eight trophies will be presented to honor excellence in creativity, technique, heritage, and innovation. For Monaco, already synonymous with spectacle and refinement, the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie represents not just a dazzling new event, but a statement of cultural intent—positioning the principality as the spiritual home of 21st-century jewelry excellence.
Where Stones Speak and Stories Collide
At its core, the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie is more than a celebration of sparkle. It is a platform for storytelling—one that recognizes the long journeys gemstones take from earth to atelier, and the hands that shape them into heirlooms. By welcoming participants from every corner of the globe, the event acknowledges the universality of jewelry as an expression of culture, identity, and artistic aspiration. From the ruby mines of Mozambique to the ateliers of Paris, from heritage houses in Rome to family-run workshops in Jaipur, the event seeks to honor the full arc of creation.
This broad inclusivity extends beyond aesthetics. The Grand Prix aims to foster conversations that are urgently needed within the industry: transparency in sourcing, equitable labor practices, and the future of sustainable luxury. Stakeholders across the value chain—miners, designers, gemologists, ethical trade organizations, and boutique retailers—will be invited to take part in panels and working sessions surrounding ethics, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation. By doing so, the Grand Prix offers not only a red carpet but also a roundtable.
Stéphane Valeri, deputy chairman of Monte-Carlo SBM and co-founder of the event, views the Grand Prix as a natural evolution of Monaco’s cultural mandate. “For 162 years,” Valeri notes, “this promise has combined heritage and innovation, and the event will illustrate that once again.” In aligning this high-profile celebration with deeper industry reflection, the Grand Prix aspires to become a touchstone—not just for excellence in design, but for leadership in vision.
The Future of High Jewelry, Reimagined
The timing of the Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie feels particularly poignant. As the luxury industry experiences generational shifts in taste and values, there is a growing appetite for meaning and authenticity beneath the glitter. Jewelry today is not merely about ornamentation—it is about legacy, personal narrative, and global responsibility. In this context, Monaco’s new initiative reflects a cultural pivot: from jewels as status symbols to jewels as symbols of substance.
The event will not be limited to established maisons alone. While heritage brands will surely dominate the headlines, the inclusion of independent designers and emerging talents ensures that fresh voices have a place alongside established icons. This curation speaks to a more dynamic view of excellence—one that values innovation and boldness as much as tradition. The idea is not to enshrine a canon, but to nurture a community of artists, collectors, and connoisseurs who view jewelry as both personal and political expression.
As the chandeliers of the Salle des Étoiles begin to shimmer in anticipation, Monaco’s Grand Prix de la Haute Joaillerie invites the world to reconsider what it means to shine. It is not simply about the clarity of a diamond or the provenance of a pearl. It is about the clarity of intention behind their presentation—the ethics, stories, and identities each piece represents. In its inaugural edition, the Grand Prix offers more than a stage. It offers a statement: that the most enduring luxury is not what we wear, but what we value.