Platinum replaces silver, mounts become as light as lace, and garlands, bows and ribbons are set with old-cut diamonds and natural pearls: the jewellery of 1890 to 1914 — Belle Époque in France, Edwardian in Britain — is sought after, and the house buys it outright, in Paris and in London.
Around 1900 the great Paris houses — Cartier first among them — draw on the eighteenth century: garlands, bows, tassels, lace-like openwork, now made possible by platinum. In Britain the same years are called Edwardian, and the same pieces were worn: tiaras, négligé necklaces, stomachers, bar brooches, line bracelets. The house reads the metal, the cut of the diamonds, the pearls and the state of the piece before the signature — most pieces of the period are unsigned — and makes a firm offer on the piece itself.
Complimentary first opinion on photographs, firm offer, same-day payment.
Platinum and old-cut diamonds, millegrain settings, ribbons and knots.
Lace-like diamond work, two drops of unequal length, airy mounts.
The evening pieces of the period, complete with their fittings or converted. Sell a tiara.
Openwork platinum set with old-cut diamonds, sometimes with calibré sapphires.
The large pieces of the parure, often convertible into brooches.
Strands, drops and pearl-and-diamond pieces of the period. Natural pearls.
We look at these six points in front of you, then we make a firm offer.
The earliest pieces are still silver-topped gold; from about 1900 platinum allows the lace-like mounts. The metal dates the piece.
Old European and cushion cuts, rose cuts for the smaller stones: they are read one by one, in their original setting.
Where the period used pearls, they were natural; the house distinguishes them from cultured pearls, by laboratory report when the piece deserves it.
Original stones, original fittings, no later repairs: that is what is paid for. Have nothing done before the opinion.
A tiara that becomes a necklace, a stomacher that divides into brooches: pieces with all their fittings and their fitted case are worth more.
Cartier, Boucheron, Chaumet, Garrard: a signature of the period raises the value; most pieces have none, and are bought for what they are.
Platinum, openwork “lace” mounts with millegrain edges, garland, bow and ribbon motifs, and old-cut diamonds are the markers; we authenticate the piece in front of you.
No. Most pieces of the period are unsigned; the quality of the work and the condition come first. A signature of a great house raises the value.
Yes. A converted piece is bought and read for what it has become; a piece with all its fittings and its fitted case is worth more.
Bring it by appointment, or send photographs: a first opinion within 24 hours, complimentary. The firm offer is made on the piece itself.
Yes. The house receives in London by appointment at its office, 100 Hatton Garden, EC1N 8NX, in the jewellery quarter. Write first by WhatsApp or e-mail with photographs; the appointment is fixed around the house's visits.
Yes. Once agreement is reached, payment is made the same day, by bank transfer, whatever the amount — with no fees or commission.
To Altmann Collection, in Paris or in London. Platinum, old-cut diamonds, natural pearls, garland designs: the piece is examined in front of you and you know what it is worth, without obligation.
Verifiable facts, reviewed in October 2026. For a specific case, the appointment settles the matter.
Belle Époque in France, Edwardian in Britain (Edward VII reigned from 1901 to 1910): the same garland style, the same platinum and old-cut diamonds, on both sides of the Channel.
Platinum, worked in fine openwork with millegrain edges, makes the “lace” of the period; it carries no hallmark in Britain before 1975 and the dog's head in France from 1912.
By appointment at 22 rue Drouot, Paris, and at 100 Hatton Garden, London. Selling from the UK and Europe.
Complimentary and confidential first opinion within 24 hours; then an appointment in Paris or London.
Request an opinion+33 7 81 11 49 29